Thousands of WeGo riders are facing an immediate financial crisis due to the impending lapse in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. We cannot control what happens in Washington, but we can ensure transportation remains a lifeline in our city. Below is the language we are using to ask WeGo leadership to suspend fare collection immediately and help make these difficult times a little easier for our neighbors:

...

Dear WeGo leadership and members of the board,

Effective Saturday, November 1, the immediate freeze of federal food assistance (SNAP) will force thousands of WeGo riders into a profound financial crisis. For many, this means choosing between eating and paying the bills. We must ensure that the essential act of getting to work or accessing necessary services does not become another insurmountable burden.

We urgently request that you convene an emergency meeting of the WeGo board as soon as possible to vote on a system-wide fare suspension effective immediately through November 20. At the November 20 meeting, the board must vote to extend the free fare period if federal SNAP distributions have not yet resumed.

We are making this request because:

• There are no plans from the federal or state government to provide emergency aid to SNAP recipients.

• Over 60% of WeGo riders have a household income under $40,000, and twenty percent live on less than $12,000 annually. Removing fares is a direct lifeline to our most vulnerable constituents.

• While WeGo estimates up to seventy percent of riders will eventually qualify for the free 'Journey Pass,' the program is currently in a 'soft launch' phase and is not enrolling participants at-scale. This leaves a critical gap in aid.

• Fare revenue represented only five percent of total WeGo revenue in the FY2025 budget, before the influx of Choose How You Move funding, meaning the financial impact of a temporary suspension is minimal compared to the community need.

Precedent Exists for System-Wide Free Fares:

• Fares were successfully suspended system-wide for Mayor O’Connell’s inauguration day in 2023 and election day in 2024, demonstrating the operational feasibility.

Thank you for your consideration and for acting swiftly to alleviate this community crisis. This moment calls for bold leadership. By removing the burden of fares, we can ensure the stability and well-being of our most vulnerable riders, upholding the principle that equitable access to essential transit is the foundation of a truly great public system. We cannot control what happens in Washington, but we can ensure transportation remains a lifeline in our city.

...

Organizations and elected officials that have signed on so far:

• Council Member Erin Evans
• Council Member Sean Parker 
• Council Member Tom Cash
• Council Member Emily Benedict
• Council Member Ginny Welsch
• Council Member Terry Vo
• Council Member Rollin Horton
• Council Member Brenda Gadd
• Council Member Delishia Porterfield
• Council Member Zulfat Suara
• Transit Now Nashville
• Walk Bike Nashville
• Open Table Nashville
• The Village
• NAACP Nashville Branch
• Stand Up Nashville
• Elmahaba Center
• Brothers in Public Health - Nashville Chapter
• The Allsorts Lobby
• United Brotherhood Ministry
• Pleasant View UMC
• Trinity Community Commons
• Civic Design Center
• Healthy and Free Tennessee
  
• People Loving Nashville
• Nashville Grief
• The 37208 Fund
• Tennessee Justice Center
• Southern Movement Committee/Black Nashville Assembly
• Woodbine Neighborhood Association
  
• Black Mental Health Village
  
• Nashville Resistance Revival Chorus
  
• Nashville Musicians For Change
  
• Unearthing Joy
  
• Nashville Women in Jazz
  
• Royal Table Inc/Royal Table Learning Academy
  
• KNS Solutions
  
• Edgehill Apartments Resident Association
  
• SURJ Nashville
  
• Haynes Park Neighborhood Association
  
• Nashville Launch Pad
• I Am Well Consulting
  
• Wellspring UMC
  
• Community Bridges Inc.
  
• Glencliff Neighborhood Group
  
• Why We Can't Wait, Inc.
  
• Connection UMC
  
• Nashville Peace and Justice Center
  
• The ReMIX Way
  
• Nashville People's Budget Coalition
• Safe Haven Family Shelter
  
• SEIU Local 205
• The Nashville Food Project
  
• Press Play On Purpose Consulting, LLC
  
• Middle Tennessee Democratic Socialists of America
  

IF YOU SUPPORT FREEZING FARES ON WEGO BUSES WHILE SNAP IS CUT, ADD YOUR NAME BELOW: