With summer here, many students are escaping the Vanderbilt bubble in pursuit of internships around the Nashville area. Given that having a car on campus is a rarity, students are left to figure out how to get from point A to point B. With Uber, Lyft and other ride-share services being expensive and unsustainable over time, it is worth exploring an often overlooked option: public transportation. 

As someone from a very small town in California, I came to Nashville having barely utilized public transportation. However, I have come to be completely reliant on it, specifically the WeGo public transit system, as it is free for all Vanderbilt students, faculty and staff. I have used it for Target runs, trips to downtown Nashville and even to cross campus in bad weather. During the summer, I used the bus system for weekly grocery runs, day trips to East Nashville and to see more of the community. From my experience, it has been easy to use, safe and relatively clean. Additionally, I have been satisfied knowing that I am part of a system that reduces traffic congestion, potential accidents and carbon emissions for the local community. As a student here in Nashville, I view myself as a guest with a responsibility to respect locals by not leaving the city in a worse state than I found it. 

While this is my perspective, I was curious to explore how often students use it, how students and the university perceive public transportation as well as how the partnership with WeGo is performing. I decided to speak with the MoveVU office, which oversees Vanderbilt’s partnership with WeGo. 

Much to my surprise, Vanderbilt has a very high number of students and faculty who use public transit, and these numbers are only expected to grow. 

“Vanderbilt University has the highest private employer ridership on WeGo Public Transit services, with over 200,000 rides in 2024,” the MoveVU office said. 

Despite these large numbers, many students hesitate to use WeGo due to safety concerns. When I asked MoveVU about this, they gave several options to improve student comfort levels while using public transit. 

“The Transit app and Google Maps provide trip planning options for riding the bus, including real-time bus information, where to find bus stops and what buses are in the area,” the MoveVU office said. “WeGo’s number one priority is safety. Each bus is equipped with audio and video recording, as are the WeGo Central, Hillsboro and North Nashville transit centers. If someone feels unsafe or uncomfortable while riding the bus, please move closer to the bus driver and alert them to the issue. The VandySafe app has safety tools to use while waiting for the bus or walking to or from a bus stop, including a ‘virtual walk home’ feature.”

As someone new to using public transportation, when I arrived in Nashville, I was initially uncomfortable. However, I took the time to go on smaller trips and build my confidence in using the bus regularly. Eventually, I learned which precautions to take and what routes I trusted to make myself feel safe. This is very similar to what the MoveVU office suggests for those looking to start using the WeGo transit system. 

“We encourage students to try transit, even to go the short distance from the Law School to Hillsboro Village on Route 7 for dinner or a movie, or to go downtown on Route 3 or Route 7 to enjoy some music or check out the museums,” said MoveVU. “Taking short trips can help students get familiar with the system, demystify public transit and dispel misconceptions about riding the bus.”

On the other hand, for those who critique WeGo’s shortcomings, it is worth knowing that improvement starts with engagement. As Vanderbilt students, we are fortunate to have access to this kind of community partnership, and by using it to its fullest potential, we can provide specific feedback and help improve the system. Additionally, it is worth noting that WeGo is currently in the process of implementing numerous changes, ranging from seating to new shelters at bus stops. 

A recent graduate provided a great example of hoping for improvements within the WeGO system. 

“I took the bus every day to get to my student teaching placement earlier this semester, and it was always 5 minutes late. I was so glad to hear that they passed the IMPROVE Act to improve Nashville’s public transportation,” said Karolina Bisiak (‘25). 

I am not concluding that public transportation has to be the end-all, be-all for students, as there are times when Uber or Lyft may be the more logical and safe options given the time of day and location. However, the WeGo system, free for Vanderbilt students, deserves more consideration as a reliable option, especially this summer. 

For any concerns or questions, the MoveVU office encourages students to reach out. 

“The Transportation and Mobility team is available to help students get around campus and move around Nashville. Questions can be emailed to [email protected].”