Critics See Transit as Old Fashioned

As the city of Nashville approaches a May transit referendum, critics of the proposal are suggesting notably contemporary alternatives to public transit. Instead of buses and trains, writes Jamie McGee, referendum opponents are pitching ride-sharing and self-driving cars.

"The ideas reflect a common complaint from opponents of the transit plan, that it relies heavily on old technology and does not adequately incorporate the advancements being made in ride-sharing, autonomous vehicles or, even, flying taxis," according to McGee.

The debate raises questions of how technology can be applied in older systems of public transit, as well as whether the newest technologies will actually deliver on their promises. Throughout the article, there are opportunities to explain transportation planning concepts like induced demand.

The arguments of the plan's opponents, it should be noted, are exactly what Ethan A. Green was worried about when writing about the Nashville transit referendum for Planetizen earlier this month.