As the shutdown hits wallets, some Nashvillians push for a freeze on bus fares

Amid the ongoing government shutdown — and the partial loss of food aid benefits — some residents are calling for a complete freeze to bus fares.

Dozens of local organizations — including Open Table Nashville, Walk Bike Nashville, and the Nashville branch of the NAACP — plus ten members of Nashville’s Metro Council signed onto a request for the fare freeze. Earlier this week, the Metro Council also passed a resolution calling on WeGo to suspend fares until the next Metropolitan Transportation Authority meeting, or when Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits continue, whichever comes first.

“That’s $4 back that they could spend on a meal that day,” local organizer Manaen Hall said. “I know that the mayor’s office and WeGo and [Choose How You Move], they care about Nashv