Cane Ridge Express offers quick, affordable commute downtown

Southeast Nashville residents can park and ride from Cane Ridge High School

NASHVILLE – Southeast Nashville residents have another inexpensive alternative to rising gas prices and the stress of the daily commute.

The Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) offers weekday non-stop express bus service from Cane Ridge High School (12848 Old Hickory Blvd.) in Antioch to downtown Nashville via Interstate 24.

The Route 39X Cane Ridge Express bus departs from the Cane Ridge High School Park-n-Ride at 7 a.m. and arrives at Music City Central, MTA’s downtown transit station, at 7:42 a.m. Monday through Friday. A bus for the return trip departs Music City Central Bay 20 at 4:40 p.m. and arrives at the Cane Ridge High School Park-n-Ride at 5:17 p.m.

“We have seen significant increases in ridership this year as more people look for alternatives to rising gas prices and increasing traffic congestion,” Nashville MTA Board Chair Thomas F. “Freddie” O’Connell said. “The Cane Ridge Express is a great option for Southeast Nashville residents who are looking for a different way to make their daily commute and help the environment. We appreciate the cooperation of Metro Schools in making the park-n-ride lot available at Cane Ridge High School.”

Cost is $2.10 each way. Multi-ride passes also are available.

The MTA operates approximately 40 bus routes, including seven express bus routes, within Metro Nashville-Davidson County to nearly all areas and many tourist attractions.

The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) also operates a weekday regional bus route for Rutherford County and Murfreesboro residents. Route 96X Nashville/Murfreesboro Relax & Ride buses travel along Murfreesboro Pike between Murfreesboro and Nashville. Ridership on Route 96X was up 26 percent in March 2011 compared to the same month last year with 9,032 passenger trips taken.

In addition, the RTA offers four other regional bus routes including Route 89X Springfield/Joelton Express, Route 91X Franklin/Brentwood Express, Route 92X Gallatin/Hendersonville Express and Route 95X Spring Hill Express.

For more information about Route 39X or Route 96X, call Customer Care at (615) 862-5950 or visit the MTA Web site at nashvillemta.org.