students go back to school with quest youth passes driver ... · pdf file(sax player for ray...

Nashville MTA passengers won’t have to worry about battling the rain or cold on Deaderick Street while waiting for their connecting buses too much longer. By the fall of 2008, riders will be able to wait in comfort indoors in Music City Central (MCC), the MTA’s new downtown transfer center. On June 21, the MTA officially kicked off construction ofMCC with a “Big Gig” celebration on the construction site at 400 Charlotte Avenue between 4th and 5th Avenues near the Municipal Auditorium in downtown Nashville. Since then, construction has continued to move forward. Demolition is complete on the South garage (the former Capital Park Inn garage) and selective

Fall 2007 Volume 5, Issue 2

Visa, MasterCard now accepted at MTA fare boxes

Driver James Otey driven to travel down many career paths

Construction underway on Music City Central

James Otey has traveled many different roads throughout his career. Some have been by motorcycle, car or van. Others have been by tour bus, and most recently, via Nashville MTA’s Nolensville Road and Bordeaux bus routes every weekday as a bus operator for the MTA. But this is just the latest trip of many throughoutawell-diversifiedcareer. Prior to working at MTA, Otey served as an assistant branch manager, production manager and lab manager at INX International printing ink company for 31 years. When the company left town in 1999, Otey had been with the company long enough to retire, so he did. He traveled for roughly nine months before his barber, a former MTA bus operator, told him that he was too young to retire and that he should go work for MTA. “I said, ‘What could I do there? I can’t drive a bus’,” said Otey, who has been with the Davidson Transit Organization since 2000. “But he said, ‘You own one,’ which I do – a Pace

Arrow motor home. It is 38-feet long.” This is the current chapter in the Otey story. To fully understand the tale, you have to return to the late 1940s in Franklin, Tennessee. Otey is the son of musical parents – his father played drums, his mother played keyboards. So, it came as no surprise to those who knew him that music would become an integral part of his life as well. He first startedplaying the trumpet

as a child but switched to drums while in junior high. Otey’s band instructor, a teacher by day and local musician by night, introduced him to Milt Turner, a former drummer for the late Ray Charles. His father would bring him to Nashville on Saturdays, and Turner would teach him the skills to swing with bands. Through this interaction, he encountered musicians like Hank Crawford (sax player for Ray Charles), Phineas Newborn (piano), Charles Dungee (bass player for Sammy Davis, Jr.), Ernest

James Otey starts his day as an MTA Bus Operator.

(continued on page 7)

Page 8

Bill PurcellMayor

Paul J. BallardChief Executive Officer

Board of Directors

Gail Carr Williams Chair

William L. BarnesVice Chair

E.L. CollinsMember

Lewis LavineMember

Marian T. OttMember

Newsletter Editorial Staff

Editor-in-Chief/WriterPatricia Harris-Morehead

Managing Editor/WriterWendy Smith

Graphic DesignerWhite I Thompson

Contributing WriterJim McAteer

Editorial AssistanceLora BaulsirEllen DavisRandall Dunn Jim McAteerEd Oliphant

PhotographyAerial Innovations of TN, Inc.Communications StaffKathryn DeisingEverton Oglesby ArchitectsGary Layda

If you have suggestions for future articles, please submit them to the MTA communications office.



The Nashville MTA got into the game early with the kickoff of ticket sales for its End-Zone Express service in mid-July. Once again, fans have the opportunity to purchase a ticket to ride a convenient MTA shuttle bus to all Tennessee Titans home games. Service began with the Aug. 11 preseason contest against the Washington Redskins. E n d - Z o n e Express buses will run from two locations – Greer Stadium, located at 534 Chestnut St., and the state employee parking lots, located at 4th Avenue North and Harrison Street. Cost is $7 for a roundtrip, single-

game ticket, or $60 for a season pass, which covers two preseason games, eight regular-season games and any home playoff games. In addition to promoting its

own End-Zone Express service, this year the MTA is assisting the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) with marketing its Music City Star Game-Day Express train service to Titans regular-season home games. RTA will run two Music City Star trains for these games. For train schedules, call (615) 862-6117 or 862-5950. Cost is $15 for an advance single-game ticket, $20 for a game-day purchase on the

MTA gets fans to the game with End-Zone Express Game-Day Express tickets also available this year

platform and $135 for an advance season ticket. Parking is free at all of the outlying train stations. The first train departsLebanon at 9 a.m. and arrives downtown at 10 a.m., and the second train leaves Lebanon at 10 a.m. and arrives downtown at 11 a.m. Following the game, the first train will leave RiverfrontStation 30 minutes after the game concludes. The second train (last train) will leave Riverfront Station 60 minutes after the game concludes. More information about the MTA End-Zone Express service as well as an electronic version of the new End-Zone Express brochure is available online at ww.nashvillemta.org For more information about the Music City Star Game-Day Express, go online to www.musiccitystar.com or www.rta-ride.org.

Mayor Bill Purcell is presented with a hard hat by MTA Board member and former Chair Lewis Lavine during the “Big Gig” ceremony.

Day Date Opponent Kickoff

Preseason

Saturday 8-11 Washington 7 p.m.

Thursday 8-30 Green Bay 7 p.m.

Regular Season

Sunday 9-16 Indianapolis noon

Sunday 10-7 Atlanta noon

Sunday 10-28 Oakland noon

Sunday 11-4 Carolina noon

Sunday 11-11 Jacksonville noon

Sunday 12-2 Houston noon

Sunday 12-9 San Diego noon

Sunday 12-23 N.Y. Jets noon

Metro Transit Authority

130 Nestor Street

Nashville, TN 37210

Phone: (615) 862-5950

TTY: (615) 880-3286

ADA Coordinator: (615) 862-5950

AccessRide: (615) 880-3970

TTY (615) 862-6130

2007 Season

Tickets Will Be Available

for the

Following Games:

Music City Star Ticket Prices

Advanced single-game ticket $15

Game-Day Purchase on Platform $20

Advance Season Ticket $135

Free Parking at all outlying stations

Advance Tickets Are

Available for Pre-Purchase

Online at www.nashvillemta.org

(credit card and minimum $20

purchase required)

First Train Departures

Lebanon Station 9:00 a.m.

Martha Station 9:12 a.m.

Mt. Juliet Station 9:25 a.m.

Hermitage Station 9:35 a.m.

Donelson Station 9:45 a.m.

Riverfront Station 10:00 a.m.

Second Train Departures







The Regional Transportation Authority

(RTA) will run two Music City Star

trains for all Tennessee Titans’ home

games.

Music City Star

Game-Day Express

Schedule

501 Union Street, Sixth Floor

Nashville, TN 37219-1705

Phone: (615) 862-8833 or

(615) 862-6117

www.musiccitystar.com or

www.rta-ride.org

For questions concerning the Music City

Star Game-Day Express, please contact

the RTA at:

Game-Day

Express

Travel Into Nashville/

Riverfront Station

Return Trip Towards

Lebanon Station

The fi rst train will leave Riverfront

Station 30 minutes after the game

concludes.

The second train (last train) will leave

Riverfront Station 60 minutes after the

game concludes.

Purchase your End-Zone Express

or Game-Day Express tickets

online at www.nashvillemta.org

Note: For preseason train schedules,

call (615) 862-6117.

We only accept MasterCard and Visa.

Many Metro Nashville-

Davidson County students rely on Nashville MTA buses to get to and from school, and once again MTA welcomed them back onboard. Last school year, approximately 2,000 students, including magnet school students, rode MTA buses each school day. MTA buses travel past most area schools, giving all students a reliable way to get to class and to and from afterschool activities, so getting a ride home after practice is not a problem. The communications staff recently updated its Quest Youth Bus Service brochure – a reader-friendly guide that explains how to plan a school bus trip. It is now available at MTA displays around town and on the MTA Web site at www.nashvillemta.org. MTA representatives held orientations at Nashville-area schools and distributed the

Quest brochure and other back-to-school items at the Mayor’s

Pat Downs, Brenda Miller, Mark Branch, Mayor Bill Purcell, Robert Hatch, Judy Shelton and Evon Heath pause for a photo during the Mayor’s First Day Festival.

Students go back to school with Quest Youth Passes

NASHVILLE MTA/DTO IS A DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE.

First Day Festival on Aug. 12 at the Sommet Center.

No cash? No problem for Nashville MTA passengers. The MTA has installed credit card software and hardware within the MTA network, and now customers have the option of paying their fares by credit or debit cards on MTA buses. With this new investment in fare collection technologies, MTA is the only transit agency in the country accepting credit cards at the fare box for its entire system. This new product allows more convenience to existing riders and also opens up opportunities to attract new customers. During the first three months of operation, $3,100 infares were paid by credit or debit card on MTA buses. “We are constantly looking for new ways to make the passenger experience even more enjoyable, and we believe this new initiative offers not only more convenience to existing riders but also provides an opportunity to attract new riders,” saidMTAChiefFinancialOfficerEdOliphant,whonegotiatedthe credit card initiative with GFI and Link2Gov and serves as the project manager.

3606_MTANEWSL8pgƒ.indd 1 9/6/07 8:08:51 AM

3 – West End

9 – MetroCenter

10 – Charlotte

12 – Nolensville Road

18 – Airport/Elm Hill Pike

22 – Bordeaux

26 – Gallatin Road

34X – Opry Mills Express

Page 7

As a recipient of federal funds, the Nashville MTA must comply with all federal laws, including Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. In case you’ve seen the posters around and wondered “What is Title VI?,” this article will answer some of the Frequently Asked Questions about Title VI. For more detailed information, pleasevisittheTennesseeStateCivilRightsOfficeWeb site at www.tdot.state.tn.us/civil-rights/titlevi/ or talk with MTA’s Title VI coordinator, Jim McAteer, Director of Planning.What is Title VI? Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act says, “No person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefit of, or be subjected to discriminationunder any program or activity receiving federalfinancialassistance.”42U.S.C.§2000d

What is Federal Financial Assistance? For MTA, federal financial assistanceprimarily means grants that we receive from the federal government; however, financialassistance can be more than just money. It is also aid that enhances the ability to improve or expand allocation of a recipient’s own resources. Examples include: student aid, training of employees, tax-exempt bonds, and others.What does Title VI do? 1. Prohibits entities from denying an individual any service, financial aid, or otherbenefitbecauseofrace,colorornationalorigin. 2. Prohibits entities from providing a differentserviceorbenefit,orprovidingthesein a different manner, from those provided to others under the program. 3. Prohibits segregation or separate treatment

credit (continued from cover)

Web site receives upgrade MTA recently upgraded its Web site home page with a crisp, cleaner look and an easier-to-read format. The Nashville skyline serves as the backdrop across the top of the page at www.nashvillemta.org and features the MTA tag line Smart Going for a consistent message and tie-in to its marketing campaigns. It also includes a scrolling video of an MTA bus and key Nashville attractions. In addition, the Web site has a new trip planner service for MTA passengers and visitors to Nashville. This new tool helps riders and potential riders plan their bus trip from start to finish. Passengers insert the day and time they want to travel, where they are starting their trip, and their final destination. The Trapeze software then provides several options for their trip, including bus route, schedule, number of transfers, time of travel and cost.

Metro candidates get to know MTA

MTAinvitedeverycandidatewhofiledforMetroofficetovisittheagencyandseewhat MTA is and what it does. A special briefing was presented, and those inattendance had the opportunity to talk with MTA staff regarding public transportation in Nashville and tour the MTA facilities.

Ducks find home at MTA offices

MTA has become a parent twice over. For the second time this year, a mother duck has taken up residence out by

thefrontdooroftheMTAofficesonNestorStreet. Thisduckfirst laidhereggspriorto the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) Bus & Paratransit Conference in May. Staff released those ducklings in the river. In June, the mother duck returned, laying seven more eggs. Those ducklings were taken to the river and released at the end of that month.

Candidates learn about MTA.

BusLink zone expands by demand BusLink, MTA’s innovative on-demand response bus service which began on April 2, has been well received and continues to increase in ridership. In response to several requests, MTA is expanding the BusLink demand zone effective Oct. 1 to include the Green Hills Library and Post Office. Thiswill allow riders to drop off their mail and check out a book to read on their BusLink trips.

New uniform items now available Thanks to a request for a “sharper, more professional look,” MTA bus operators now have a few new accessories for their uniforms. Vests, which must be worn with the blue dress shirts and ties, are now available and can be worn as part of the MTA uniform. In addition, a new ladies shoe and a new raincoat are available.

When boarding a bus, riders are able to purchase one ride for $1.25 or an All-Day Pass for $3.75. In addition, MTA offers single-discount tickets and all-day passes to seniors and youth, which also can be purchased on the bus with a credit card.

The fare box display indicates where to swipe the card, including the required direction of the magnetic strip. Paper receipts are available upon request. Visa and MasterCard are accepted, which includes credit cards, debit cards and gift cards with the Visa or MasterCard logo.

Title VI: What it means, why it matters and how it helps MTA help you

The roar of the engine: journeys with Otey James Otey drives buses for a living, but he prefers to be out on the open road. Ever since he was a young boy, Otey has always been intrigued by motorcycles and race cars. He began riding on an M.C. Triumph and a Cushman Scooter, and also rode a Harley Davidson. He acquired his love for bikes from his dad, but he learned his automotive skills from two well-known stock car drivers – Jack Marlin and Coo Coo Marlin, NASCAR driver Sterling Marlin’s uncle and father. “They were older than me, but they were friends of my family, so I used to go down to their shop and learn how to build race car engines when I was a boy,” said Otey, who currently owns a 1996 Harley Davidson heritage softtail he named Mariahandalongwithfiveothersstartedthe Steel Horseman MC Club in 1996. “I’d hang out with them. They were like hometown heroes.” Otey also became good friends with NASCAR legend Darrell Waltrip, who moved to his neighborhood while he was growing up. “He moved right up the street from me,” Otey said. “I met him and Tommy Baker, who drove drag races. I was in awe of that stuff…I loved engines and motors, riding bikes, driving cars fast, but music was my firstlove.”

BusLink service expands beginning Oct. 1.

News & Notes

Thefiscalyear2008operatingbudgetwas officially adopted by the Nashville MTABoard on Aug. 23, and the MTA will be able to improve its night service as well as add more weekend trips to the Opry Mills area and the Nashville International Airport. Many of these improvements are part of the MTA’s five-year service improvementplan, including the separation of night and weekend service on route 3 West End and route 10 Charlotte, as well as the restructuring of route 12 Nolensville Road. A majority of the people attending the public hearing in July were pleased with the proposed changes. Passengers on eight bus routes will see important service improvements during the biannual service changes that take effect on Sept. 30, 2007.

in any manner related to receiving program servicesorbenefits. 4. Prohibits entities from requiring different standards or conditions as prerequisites for serving individuals. 5. Encourages the participation of minorities as members of planning or advisory bodies for programs receiving federal funds. 6. Requires information and services to be provided in languages other than English when significant numbers of beneficiaries are oflimited English speaking ability. 7. Requires entities to notify the respective population about applicable programs. 8. Prohibits locating facilities in any way that would limit or impede access to a federally-fundedserviceorbenefit. 9. Requires assurance of nondiscrimination in purchasing of services.

Service has been added and/or has increased in frequency on the following routes:

Credit cards are the new way to pay to ride the bus.

Service Improvements effective September 30


Employee Position DateRobert Rembiszewski From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 4/10/07Lawania Westmoreland From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 4/13/07Bobbie White From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 4/13/07Veronica Cooksey From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 5/11/07John Gates From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 5/11/07Christopher Linton From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 5/11/07Sandy Smith From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 5/11/07Johnny Spurlock From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 5/11/07Theresa Stevens From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 5/11/07Robert Taylor From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 5/11/07Edward Thomas From General Helper to Cleaning Supervisor 7/2/07Charles Battle From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 7/6/07Bruce Hogan From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 7/6/07Robin Howard From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 7/6/07Anthony Johnson From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 7/6/07DeLondia Jones From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 7/6/07Tamika Jones From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 7/6/07Ted Leftwich From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 7/6/07Martina Marshall From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 7/6/07Jermaine McKissack From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 7/6/07Fred Mitchell From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 7/6/07Abubeker Mohammed From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 7/6/07John Riley From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 7/6/07Mary Titus From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 7/6/07Marshon Lyons From General Helper to Apprentice Mechanic 7/8/07Ray Alegria From Part-time to Full-time Info. Tech Specialist 7/9/07Cynthia Whitehead From Operations Supervisor to AccessRide Manager 7/23/07

Employee Position DateTerri Hamer Vehicle Operator Trainee 4/30/07Larry Harris Vehicle Operator Trainee 4/30/07Adrell Stringer Jr. Vehicle Operator Trainee 4/30/07Teresa Vanatta Vehicle Operator Trainee 4/30/07Megan Destefano Part-time Temporary Clerk – HR Department 5/6/07Samantha Sabatino Part-time Temporary Clerk – Planning Department 6/4/07George Dawson Vehicle Operator Trainee 7/2/07JC Hollingsworth Vehicle Operator Trainee 7/2/07Michael Nelson Vehicle Operator Trainee 7/2/07Nancy Sanzi Vehicle Operator Trainee 7/2/07Lisa Foster Vehicle Operator Trainee 7/9/07Kim Johnson Vehicle Operator Trainee 7/9/07Toya Lane Vehicle Operator Trainee 7/9/07Cornelia Logan Vehicle Operator Trainee 7/9/07 Storme O’Keefe Vehicle Operator Trainee 7/9/07

New EmployeesAs the MTA continues to grow, we would like to welcome our new employees.

Employee Position DateLiz Duff Vehicle Operator (33 years of service) 6/1/07Leroy Payne Vehicle Operator (30 years of service) 8/1/07Jimmy Sheler Mechanic (21 years of service) 9/1/07

The following employees have recently retired from the MTA. They are going to be missed, and we would like to extend to them our best wishes.

Vantreas (piano for Ray Charles), Johnny Jones (guitar for Jimi Hendrix) and Billy Cox (guitar for Jimi Hendrix). “Everybody just started liking the way I played,”Otey said. “Iwas13when Ifirststarted playing in clubs. My father went to every job until I was 18 years old...Jackie Wilson came through here, and I was playing with the band he took on tour that summer. I was about 15. I did that tour. That’s how my name got out to the road professional people.” Following that tour, Otey started getting calls from other bands to do the same, but his family kept him grounded. It was important for him to not only finish highschool but also to finish college. Whilemusic was important, his education was more important. He had already skipped a grade and had a bright future.

Otey earned a scholarship to Florida A&M, where he attended for two years before transferring to Tennessee State University. After one year at TSU, he had an opportunity to go with one of the band directors, who was leaving for the University of Michigan. The director broughtfivestudents,includingOtey. Throughout college, he continued playing music but opted to change his course of study from music to chemical engineering. Upon graduation from the University of Michigan, Otey used his chemical engineering degree to land a job at Dow Chemical and was preparing to start three weeks later. But before then, he received a phone call that changed the direction of his career. On the other end of the line was the legendary Little Richard. He needed a drummer, and someone had mentioned Otey would be a

goodfitforhisband.Washeavailable? “It was paying twice as much,” Otey said. “I was going to be making about $350 take home at Dow, and he was paying $700 a week for me to play the drums…I never did make it to Dow.” Otey traveled around the world for two years with Little Richard before going on to perform with James Brown and Taj Mahal. He also played in the band for The Bill Cosby Show, which aired on NBC. “I got the job because I could do what they called cutting with the band,” Otey said. “I could read the music well, but I played trumpet and saxophone, too. I took the trumpet part and the sax part and marked the drum sheet where all the licks are. We had to play the drums with that but it wasn’t written on the drum chart.” Otey toured until 1975, saving his money to buy some property in middle Tennessee. He returned home and started performing with the Tyrone Smith Review as the band leader. He also played with the Jimmy Church Review before starting his own group and booking agency. From there, he had an offer to join The New Imperials. He found a drummer for his band and joined the group, which continues to perform today. Being a part of The New Imperials and having his own group allowed Otey an opportunity to continue to play music six days a week but also to work regular business hours with a printing ink company.

Otey (continued from cover)

Page 6

MTA Board elects new officers Gail Carr Williams, who has been a member of the MTA board since 2002, has been elected as the new chair. The Rev. William Barnes, who has been a member of the MTA board since 1999, has been elected vice chair. Williams recently served as vice chair as well as chair of the MTA’s Finance Committee. She is associate director of community, government and neighborhood relations in the Division of Public Affairs at Vanderbilt University. She is responsible for building community relationships on behalf of the university. Barnes, who serves as chairman of the MTA’s Transportation Committee, was one of 15 charter members of the Edgehill United Methodist Church and minister of the church from its establishment in May 1966 until his retirement in June 1996. He completed his undergraduate work at Vanderbilt University and received his graduate degree from Yale Divinity School in 1959. In addition to Williams and Barnes, other board members include Ed Collins, Lewis Lavine and Marian Ott.

Drummer James Otey (center) continues to perform with The New Imperials.

James Otey with Bill Cosby before a show at the world-famous Harrah’s Casino.

Today, the group averages two to three performances a week, and Otey continues to occasionally join Little Richard or Taj Mahal on the weekends on the road for a date or two. In fact, Little Richard is trying to recruit him back.

“He’s got a drummer, but he’s been trying to get me to come back on the road, but that’s a little hard now at 60,” Otey said. “If something happened to me here, I could go back to work, but I don’t want that now.” At 60, this chapter of his life is dedicated to his family. His granddaughter just received a four-year scholarship to Vander-bilt University, and he expects a similar result with his oldest grandson. His young-est grandson is 7, but also “smart as a whip,” Otey said. “I want to be around my grandchildren,” Otey said. “That’s kind of what it is about with me now.”

demolition is on the schedule for the North garage (formerly the Municipal Auditorium parking garage). “Construction on this facility has been a long time coming for Nashville, and we believe the wait will be well worth the outcome,” said Lewis Lavine, Nashville MTA Board member and former chair. “Having an indoor transit center expands our ability to provide dependable, comfortable and convenient service to residents and visitors of Music City.”

MCC (continued from cover)

Aerial view of the Music City Central site, which is located at 400 Charlotte Avenue.

A photo from the Otey family album.


Nashville MTA successfully hosted one of the transit industry’s largest gatherings of bus and paratransit professionals this past May. More than 2,000 people attended the 2007 American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) Bus & Paratransit Conference and International Bus Roadeo, and attendees were very complimentary of MTA staff and Music City. The conference also featured 125 exhibits that showcased products and services and a bus display that included paratransit vans, trolleys, full-size buses, articulated buses and bus hybrids.

Page 5

MTA makes a splash at APTA

To the MTA Family,

On behalf of the MTA board members, I want to thank the entire MTA family for your extraordinary efforts in making the 2007 APTA Bus and Paratransit Conference and Roadeo a complete and total success. I use the word “extraordinary” with great care. All of you performed your ordinary tasks before and during the conference. But then you added the extra hours of thorough planning and all the time spent tending to the details of the events. In addition to the time spent, there was the “Nashville touch.” For a few days, MTA was the ambassador to the nation; the eyes of the transportation world were on us. And as a family, MTA imparted the Nashville friendliness and courtesy that will make APTA want to return soonandwillmakefederalofficialsknowledgeableaboutwhatwecanachieve here. So as Board members, we genuinely appreciate what you accomplished and take pride in serving this community with you.

Lewis LavineMTA Board member and former chair

MTA Board member The Rev. William Barnes, Ellen Davis, Amy McDaris and Rob McElhaney attend the host forum.

The host forum panel: Paul J. Ballard, Jim McAteer, Bill Farquhar and Gary Everton.

Dave and Bette Carter, a.k.a “The Flame” and “The Dame”

Eric Beyer

Kathy Owen

Frankie Collins, MTA Board member Ed Collinsand MTA Board Chair Gail Carr Williams.

Charlie Myers, second from the right, performs with The Valentines.

Veronica Beard clears the barrels.

Mark Johnson navigates around the cones.

Roger Ketron, Mike Davenport and Charlie Patterson compete in the maintenance roadeo.

Mark Johnson receives congratulations from Earl Rhodes after winning the pre-trip inspection award.

International Bus Roadeo

As I got off the plane (for the APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference) and gathered my bags, I turned to a coworker and asked him where we were staying. I had my information, but couldn’t remember the hotel’s name. As we discussed this, we passed by an MTA Nashville table and a pleasant employee, Dorothy (Hayes), asked if we were there for the APTA event. Finding out that we were, she explained to us that MTA was offering direct service from the airport to the host hotel. And here’s the cool part — she also told us when the next bus would be arriving, walked us down to the bus stop and stood there and talked with us until the bus showed up a few minutes later. That is customer service you can’t pay enough for.

Fred JandtMass Transit magazine

Paul J. Ballard accepts an award for MTA’s efforts in hosting the annual conference and roadeo.

Customer Service Challenge

Roadeo Banquet

Davidson Transit Organization (DTO) staff and MTA passengers performed during the Customer Service Challenge, which tested bus operators on their customer service skills in several distinct customer scenarios.

The bus operator competition included events such as judgment stops, turning and clearing obstacles, while the maintenance competition tested skills in identifying defects in engine, transmission, brake and HVAC modules.

I want to thank you for the outstanding job you and your staff did in hosting this year’s APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference & International Bus Roadeo. Based on my personal observations and the reports I have received from members, your staff are to be commended for their outstanding efforts in planning and coordinating this year’s meeting. We really experienced “Music City” at its best.

William MilarAPTA President

MTA Host Forum MTA held a host forum to share information on the latest line of innovative services and projects underway at the Nashville MTA, including BusLink and Music City Central.


Nashville MTA successfully hosted one of the transit industry’s largest gatherings of bus and paratransit professionals this past May. More than 2,000 people attended the 2007 American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) Bus & Paratransit Conference and International Bus Roadeo, and attendees were very complimentary of MTA staff and Music City. The conference also featured 125 exhibits that showcased products and services and a bus display that included paratransit vans, trolleys, full-size buses, articulated buses and bus hybrids.

Page 4

MTA makes a splash at APTA

To the MTA Family,

On behalf of the MTA board members, I want to thank the entire MTA family for your extraordinary efforts in making the 2007 APTA Bus and Paratransit Conference and Roadeo a complete and total success. I use the word “extraordinary” with great care. All of you performed your ordinary tasks before and during the conference. But then you added the extra hours of thorough planning and all the time spent tending to the details of the events. In addition to the time spent, there was the “Nashville touch.” For a few days, MTA was the ambassador to the nation; the eyes of the transportation world were on us. And as a family, MTA imparted the Nashville friendliness and courtesy that will make APTA want to return soonandwillmakefederalofficialsknowledgeableaboutwhatwecanachieve here. So as Board members, we genuinely appreciate what you accomplished and take pride in serving this community with you.

Lewis LavineMTA Board member and former chair

MTA Board member The Rev. William Barnes, Ellen Davis, Amy McDaris and Rob McElhaney attend the host forum.

The host forum panel: Paul J. Ballard, Jim McAteer, Bill Farquhar and Gary Everton.

Dave and Bette Carter, a.k.a “The Flame” and “The Dame”

Eric Beyer

Kathy Owen

Frankie Collins, MTA Board member Ed Collinsand MTA Board Chair Gail Carr Williams.

Charlie Myers, second from the right, performs with The Valentines.

Veronica Beard clears the barrels.

Mark Johnson navigates around the cones.

Roger Ketron, Mike Davenport and Charlie Patterson compete in the maintenance roadeo.

Mark Johnson receives congratulations from Earl Rhodes after winning the pre-trip inspection award.

International Bus Roadeo

As I got off the plane (for the APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference) and gathered my bags, I turned to a coworker and asked him where we were staying. I had my information, but couldn’t remember the hotel’s name. As we discussed this, we passed by an MTA Nashville table and a pleasant employee, Dorothy (Hayes), asked if we were there for the APTA event. Finding out that we were, she explained to us that MTA was offering direct service from the airport to the host hotel. And here’s the cool part — she also told us when the next bus would be arriving, walked us down to the bus stop and stood there and talked with us until the bus showed up a few minutes later. That is customer service you can’t pay enough for.

Fred JandtMass Transit magazine

Paul J. Ballard accepts an award for MTA’s efforts in hosting the annual conference and roadeo.

Customer Service Challenge

Roadeo Banquet

Davidson Transit Organization (DTO) staff and MTA passengers performed during the Customer Service Challenge, which tested bus operators on their customer service skills in several distinct customer scenarios.

The bus operator competition included events such as judgment stops, turning and clearing obstacles, while the maintenance competition tested skills in identifying defects in engine, transmission, brake and HVAC modules.

I want to thank you for the outstanding job you and your staff did in hosting this year’s APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference & International Bus Roadeo. Based on my personal observations and the reports I have received from members, your staff are to be commended for their outstanding efforts in planning and coordinating this year’s meeting. We really experienced “Music City” at its best.

William MilarAPTA President

MTA Host Forum MTA held a host forum to share information on the latest line of innovative services and projects underway at the Nashville MTA, including BusLink and Music City Central.


Employee Position DateRobert Rembiszewski From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 4/10/07Lawania Westmoreland From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 4/13/07Bobbie White From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 4/13/07Veronica Cooksey From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 5/11/07John Gates From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 5/11/07Christopher Linton From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 5/11/07Sandy Smith From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 5/11/07Johnny Spurlock From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 5/11/07Theresa Stevens From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 5/11/07Robert Taylor From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 5/11/07Edward Thomas From General Helper to Cleaning Supervisor 7/2/07Charles Battle From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 7/6/07Bruce Hogan From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 7/6/07Robin Howard From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 7/6/07Anthony Johnson From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 7/6/07DeLondia Jones From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 7/6/07Tamika Jones From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 7/6/07Ted Leftwich From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 7/6/07Martina Marshall From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 7/6/07Jermaine McKissack From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 7/6/07Fred Mitchell From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 7/6/07Abubeker Mohammed From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 7/6/07John Riley From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 7/6/07Mary Titus From Vehicle Operator Trainee to Vehicle Operator 7/6/07Marshon Lyons From General Helper to Apprentice Mechanic 7/8/07Ray Alegria From Part-time to Full-time Info. Tech Specialist 7/9/07Cynthia Whitehead From Operations Supervisor to AccessRide Manager 7/23/07

Employee Position DateTerri Hamer Vehicle Operator Trainee 4/30/07Larry Harris Vehicle Operator Trainee 4/30/07Adrell Stringer Jr. Vehicle Operator Trainee 4/30/07Teresa Vanatta Vehicle Operator Trainee 4/30/07Megan Destefano Part-time Temporary Clerk – HR Department 5/6/07Samantha Sabatino Part-time Temporary Clerk – Planning Department 6/4/07George Dawson Vehicle Operator Trainee 7/2/07JC Hollingsworth Vehicle Operator Trainee 7/2/07Michael Nelson Vehicle Operator Trainee 7/2/07Nancy Sanzi Vehicle Operator Trainee 7/2/07Lisa Foster Vehicle Operator Trainee 7/9/07Kim Johnson Vehicle Operator Trainee 7/9/07Toya Lane Vehicle Operator Trainee 7/9/07Cornelia Logan Vehicle Operator Trainee 7/9/07 Storme O’Keefe Vehicle Operator Trainee 7/9/07

New EmployeesAs the MTA continues to grow, we would like to welcome our new employees.

Employee Position DateLiz Duff Vehicle Operator (33 years of service) 6/1/07Leroy Payne Vehicle Operator (30 years of service) 8/1/07Jimmy Sheler Mechanic (21 years of service) 9/1/07

The following employees have recently retired from the MTA. They are going to be missed, and we would like to extend to them our best wishes.

Vantreas (piano for Ray Charles), Johnny Jones (guitar for Jimi Hendrix) and Billy Cox (guitar for Jimi Hendrix). “Everybody just started liking the way I played,”Otey said. “Iwas13when Ifirststarted playing in clubs. My father went to every job until I was 18 years old...Jackie Wilson came through here, and I was playing with the band he took on tour that summer. I was about 15. I did that tour. That’s how my name got out to the road professional people.” Following that tour, Otey started getting calls from other bands to do the same, but his family kept him grounded. It was important for him to not only finish highschool but also to finish college. Whilemusic was important, his education was more important. He had already skipped a grade and had a bright future.

Otey earned a scholarship to Florida A&M, where he attended for two years before transferring to Tennessee State University. After one year at TSU, he had an opportunity to go with one of the band directors, who was leaving for the University of Michigan. The director broughtfivestudents,includingOtey. Throughout college, he continued playing music but opted to change his course of study from music to chemical engineering. Upon graduation from the University of Michigan, Otey used his chemical engineering degree to land a job at Dow Chemical and was preparing to start three weeks later. But before then, he received a phone call that changed the direction of his career. On the other end of the line was the legendary Little Richard. He needed a drummer, and someone had mentioned Otey would be a

goodfitforhisband.Washeavailable? “It was paying twice as much,” Otey said. “I was going to be making about $350 take home at Dow, and he was paying $700 a week for me to play the drums…I never did make it to Dow.” Otey traveled around the world for two years with Little Richard before going on to perform with James Brown and Taj Mahal. He also played in the band for The Bill Cosby Show, which aired on NBC. “I got the job because I could do what they called cutting with the band,” Otey said. “I could read the music well, but I played trumpet and saxophone, too. I took the trumpet part and the sax part and marked the drum sheet where all the licks are. We had to play the drums with that but it wasn’t written on the drum chart.” Otey toured until 1975, saving his money to buy some property in middle Tennessee. He returned home and started performing with the Tyrone Smith Review as the band leader. He also played with the Jimmy Church Review before starting his own group and booking agency. From there, he had an offer to join The New Imperials. He found a drummer for his band and joined the group, which continues to perform today. Being a part of The New Imperials and having his own group allowed Otey an opportunity to continue to play music six days a week but also to work regular business hours with a printing ink company.

Otey (continued from cover)

Page 3

MTA Board elects new officers Gail Carr Williams, who has been a member of the MTA board since 2002, has been elected as the new chair. The Rev. William Barnes, who has been a member of the MTA board since 1999, has been elected vice chair. Williams recently served as vice chair as well as chair of the MTA’s Finance Committee. She is associate director of community, government and neighborhood relations in the Division of Public Affairs at Vanderbilt University. She is responsible for building community relationships on behalf of the university. Barnes, who serves as chairman of the MTA’s Transportation Committee, was one of 15 charter members of the Edgehill United Methodist Church and minister of the church from its establishment in May 1966 until his retirement in June 1996. He completed his undergraduate work at Vanderbilt University and received his graduate degree from Yale Divinity School in 1959. In addition to Williams and Barnes, other board members include Ed Collins, Lewis Lavine and Marian Ott.

Drummer James Otey (center) continues to perform with The New Imperials.

James Otey with Bill Cosby before a show at the world-famous Harrah’s Casino.

Today, the group averages two to three performances a week, and Otey continues to occasionally join Little Richard or Taj Mahal on the weekends on the road for a date or two. In fact, Little Richard is trying to recruit him back.

“He’s got a drummer, but he’s been trying to get me to come back on the road, but that’s a little hard now at 60,” Otey said. “If something happened to me here, I could go back to work, but I don’t want that now.” At 60, this chapter of his life is dedicated to his family. His granddaughter just received a four-year scholarship to Vander-bilt University, and he expects a similar result with his oldest grandson. His young-est grandson is 7, but also “smart as a whip,” Otey said. “I want to be around my grandchildren,” Otey said. “That’s kind of what it is about with me now.”

demolition is on the schedule for the North garage (formerly the Municipal Auditorium parking garage). “Construction on this facility has been a long time coming for Nashville, and we believe the wait will be well worth the outcome,” said Lewis Lavine, Nashville MTA Board member and former chair. “Having an indoor transit center expands our ability to provide dependable, comfortable and convenient service to residents and visitors of Music City.”

MCC (continued from cover)

Aerial view of the Music City Central site, which is located at 400 Charlotte Avenue.

A photo from the Otey family album.


3 – West End

9 – MetroCenter

10 – Charlotte

12 – Nolensville Road

18 – Airport/Elm Hill Pike

22 – Bordeaux

26 – Gallatin Road

34X – Opry Mills Express

Page 2

As a recipient of federal funds, the Nashville MTA must comply with all federal laws, including Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. In case you’ve seen the posters around and wondered “What is Title VI?,” this article will answer some of the Frequently Asked Questions about Title VI. For more detailed information, pleasevisittheTennesseeStateCivilRightsOfficeWeb site at www.tdot.state.tn.us/civil-rights/titlevi/ or talk with MTA’s Title VI coordinator, Jim McAteer, Director of Planning.What is Title VI? Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act says, “No person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefit of, or be subjected to discriminationunder any program or activity receiving federalfinancialassistance.”42U.S.C.§2000d

What is Federal Financial Assistance? For MTA, federal financial assistanceprimarily means grants that we receive from the federal government; however, financialassistance can be more than just money. It is also aid that enhances the ability to improve or expand allocation of a recipient’s own resources. Examples include: student aid, training of employees, tax-exempt bonds, and others.What does Title VI do? 1. Prohibits entities from denying an individual any service, financial aid, or otherbenefitbecauseofrace,colorornationalorigin. 2. Prohibits entities from providing a differentserviceorbenefit,orprovidingthesein a different manner, from those provided to others under the program. 3. Prohibits segregation or separate treatment

credit (continued from cover)

Web site receives upgrade MTA recently upgraded its Web site home page with a crisp, cleaner look and an easier-to-read format. The Nashville skyline serves as the backdrop across the top of the page at www.nashvillemta.org and features the MTA tag line Smart Going for a consistent message and tie-in to its marketing campaigns. It also includes a scrolling video of an MTA bus and key Nashville attractions. In addition, the Web site has a new trip planner service for MTA passengers and visitors to Nashville. This new tool helps riders and potential riders plan their bus trip from start to finish. Passengers insert the day and time they want to travel, where they are starting their trip, and their final destination. The Trapeze software then provides several options for their trip, including bus route, schedule, number of transfers, time of travel and cost.

Metro candidates get to know MTA

MTAinvitedeverycandidatewhofiledforMetroofficetovisittheagencyandseewhat MTA is and what it does. A special briefing was presented, and those inattendance had the opportunity to talk with MTA staff regarding public transportation in Nashville and tour the MTA facilities.

Ducks find home at MTA offices

MTA has become a parent twice over. For the second time this year, a mother duck has taken up residence out by

thefrontdooroftheMTAofficesonNestorStreet. Thisduckfirst laidhereggspriorto the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) Bus & Paratransit Conference in May. Staff released those ducklings in the river. In June, the mother duck returned, laying seven more eggs. Those ducklings were taken to the river and released at the end of that month.

Candidates learn about MTA.

BusLink zone expands by demand BusLink, MTA’s innovative on-demand response bus service which began on April 2, has been well received and continues to increase in ridership. In response to several requests, MTA is expanding the BusLink demand zone effective Oct. 1 to include the Green Hills Library and Post Office. Thiswill allow riders to drop off their mail and check out a book to read on their BusLink trips.

New uniform items now available Thanks to a request for a “sharper, more professional look,” MTA bus operators now have a few new accessories for their uniforms. Vests, which must be worn with the blue dress shirts and ties, are now available and can be worn as part of the MTA uniform. In addition, a new ladies shoe and a new raincoat are available.

When boarding a bus, riders are able to purchase one ride for $1.25 or an All-Day Pass for $3.75. In addition, MTA offers single-discount tickets and all-day passes to seniors and youth, which also can be purchased on the bus with a credit card.

The fare box display indicates where to swipe the card, including the required direction of the magnetic strip. Paper receipts are available upon request. Visa and MasterCard are accepted, which includes credit cards, debit cards and gift cards with the Visa or MasterCard logo.

Title VI: What it means, why it matters and how it helps MTA help you

The roar of the engine: journeys with Otey James Otey drives buses for a living, but he prefers to be out on the open road. Ever since he was a young boy, Otey has always been intrigued by motorcycles and race cars. He began riding on an M.C. Triumph and a Cushman Scooter, and also rode a Harley Davidson. He acquired his love for bikes from his dad, but he learned his automotive skills from two well-known stock car drivers – Jack Marlin and Coo Coo Marlin, NASCAR driver Sterling Marlin’s uncle and father. “They were older than me, but they were friends of my family, so I used to go down to their shop and learn how to build race car engines when I was a boy,” said Otey, who currently owns a 1996 Harley Davidson heritage softtail he named Mariahandalongwithfiveothersstartedthe Steel Horseman MC Club in 1996. “I’d hang out with them. They were like hometown heroes.” Otey also became good friends with NASCAR legend Darrell Waltrip, who moved to his neighborhood while he was growing up. “He moved right up the street from me,” Otey said. “I met him and Tommy Baker, who drove drag races. I was in awe of that stuff…I loved engines and motors, riding bikes, driving cars fast, but music was my firstlove.”

BusLink service expands beginning Oct. 1.

News & Notes

Thefiscalyear2008operatingbudgetwas officially adopted by the Nashville MTABoard on Aug. 23, and the MTA will be able to improve its night service as well as add more weekend trips to the Opry Mills area and the Nashville International Airport. Many of these improvements are part of the MTA’s five-year service improvementplan, including the separation of night and weekend service on route 3 West End and route 10 Charlotte, as well as the restructuring of route 12 Nolensville Road. A majority of the people attending the public hearing in July were pleased with the proposed changes. Passengers on eight bus routes will see important service improvements during the biannual service changes that take effect on Sept. 30, 2007.

in any manner related to receiving program servicesorbenefits. 4. Prohibits entities from requiring different standards or conditions as prerequisites for serving individuals. 5. Encourages the participation of minorities as members of planning or advisory bodies for programs receiving federal funds. 6. Requires information and services to be provided in languages other than English when significant numbers of beneficiaries are oflimited English speaking ability. 7. Requires entities to notify the respective population about applicable programs. 8. Prohibits locating facilities in any way that would limit or impede access to a federally-fundedserviceorbenefit. 9. Requires assurance of nondiscrimination in purchasing of services.

Service has been added and/or has increased in frequency on the following routes:

Credit cards are the new way to pay to ride the bus.

Service Improvements effective September 30


Nashville MTA passengers won’t have to worry about battling the rain or cold on Deaderick Street while waiting for their connecting buses too much longer. By the fall of 2008, riders will be able to wait in comfort indoors in Music City Central (MCC), the MTA’s new downtown transfer center. On June 21, the MTA officially kicked off construction ofMCC with a “Big Gig” celebration on the construction site at 400 Charlotte Avenue between 4th and 5th Avenues near the Municipal Auditorium in downtown Nashville. Since then, construction has continued to move forward. Demolition is complete on the South garage (the former Capital Park Inn garage) and selective

Fall 2007 Volume 5, Issue 2

Visa, MasterCard now accepted at MTA fare boxes

Driver James Otey driven to travel down many career paths

Construction underway on Music City Central

James Otey has traveled many different roads throughout his career. Some have been by motorcycle, car or van. Others have been by tour bus, and most recently, via Nashville MTA’s Nolensville Road and Bordeaux bus routes every weekday as a bus operator for the MTA. But this is just the latest trip of many throughoutawell-diversifiedcareer. Prior to working at MTA, Otey served as an assistant branch manager, production manager and lab manager at INX International printing ink company for 31 years. When the company left town in 1999, Otey had been with the company long enough to retire, so he did. He traveled for roughly nine months before his barber, a former MTA bus operator, told him that he was too young to retire and that he should go work for MTA. “I said, ‘What could I do there? I can’t drive a bus’,” said Otey, who has been with the Davidson Transit Organization since 2000. “But he said, ‘You own one,’ which I do – a Pace

Arrow motor home. It is 38-feet long.” This is the current chapter in the Otey story. To fully understand the tale, you have to return to the late 1940s in Franklin, Tennessee. Otey is the son of musical parents – his father played drums, his mother played keyboards. So, it came as no surprise to those who knew him that music would become an integral part of his life as well. He first startedplaying the trumpet

as a child but switched to drums while in junior high. Otey’s band instructor, a teacher by day and local musician by night, introduced him to Milt Turner, a former drummer for the late Ray Charles. His father would bring him to Nashville on Saturdays, and Turner would teach him the skills to swing with bands. Through this interaction, he encountered musicians like Hank Crawford (sax player for Ray Charles), Phineas Newborn (piano), Charles Dungee (bass player for Sammy Davis, Jr.), Ernest

James Otey starts his day as an MTA Bus Operator.


Bill PurcellMayor

Paul J. BallardChief Executive Officer

Board of Directors

Gail Carr Williams Chair

William L. BarnesVice Chair

E.L. CollinsMember

Lewis LavineMember

Marian T. OttMember

Newsletter Editorial Staff

Editor-in-Chief/WriterPatricia Harris-Morehead

Managing Editor/WriterWendy Smith

Graphic DesignerWhite I Thompson

Contributing WriterJim McAteer

Editorial AssistanceLora BaulsirEllen DavisRandall Dunn Jim McAteerEd Oliphant

PhotographyAerial Innovations of TN, Inc.Communications StaffKathryn DeisingEverton Oglesby ArchitectsGary Layda

If you have suggestions for future articles, please submit them to the MTA communications office.



The Nashville MTA got into the game early with the kickoff of ticket sales for its End-Zone Express service in mid-July. Once again, fans have the opportunity to purchase a ticket to ride a convenient MTA shuttle bus to all Tennessee Titans home games. Service began with the Aug. 11 preseason contest against the Washington Redskins. E n d - Z o n e Express buses will run from two locations – Greer Stadium, located at 534 Chestnut St., and the state employee parking lots, located at 4th Avenue North and Harrison Street. Cost is $7 for a roundtrip, single-

game ticket, or $60 for a season pass, which covers two preseason games, eight regular-season games and any home playoff games. In addition to promoting its

own End-Zone Express service, this year the MTA is assisting the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) with marketing its Music City Star Game-Day Express train service to Titans regular-season home games. RTA will run two Music City Star trains for these games. For train schedules, call (615) 862-6117 or 862-5950. Cost is $15 for an advance single-game ticket, $20 for a game-day purchase on the

MTA gets fans to the game with End-Zone Express Game-Day Express tickets also available this year

platform and $135 for an advance season ticket. Parking is free at all of the outlying train stations. The first train departsLebanon at 9 a.m. and arrives downtown at 10 a.m., and the second train leaves Lebanon at 10 a.m. and arrives downtown at 11 a.m. Following the game, the first train will leave RiverfrontStation 30 minutes after the game concludes. The second train (last train) will leave Riverfront Station 60 minutes after the game concludes. More information about the MTA End-Zone Express service as well as an electronic version of the new End-Zone Express brochure is available online at ww.nashvillemta.org For more information about the Music City Star Game-Day Express, go online to www.musiccitystar.com or www.rta-ride.org.

Mayor Bill Purcell is presented with a hard hat by MTA Board member and former Chair Lewis Lavine during the “Big Gig” ceremony.

Day Date Opponent Kickoff

Preseason

Saturday 8-11 Washington 7 p.m.

Thursday 8-30 Green Bay 7 p.m.

Regular Season

Sunday 9-16 Indianapolis noon

Sunday 10-7 Atlanta noon

Sunday 10-28 Oakland noon

Sunday 11-4 Carolina noon

Sunday 11-11 Jacksonville noon

Sunday 12-2 Houston noon

Sunday 12-9 San Diego noon

Sunday 12-23 N.Y. Jets noon

Metro Transit Authority

130 Nestor Street

Nashville, TN 37210

Phone: (615) 862-5950

TTY: (615) 880-3286

ADA Coordinator: (615) 862-5950

AccessRide: (615) 880-3970

TTY (615) 862-6130

2007 Season

Tickets Will Be Available

for the

Following Games:

Music City Star Ticket Prices

Advanced single-game ticket $15

Game-Day Purchase on Platform $20

Advance Season Ticket $135

Free Parking at all outlying stations

Advance Tickets Are

Available for Pre-Purchase

Online at www.nashvillemta.org

(credit card and minimum $20

purchase required)

First Train Departures







Second Train Departures







The Regional Transportation Authority

(RTA) will run two Music City Star

trains for all Tennessee Titans’ home

games.

Music City Star

Game-Day Express

Schedule

501 Union Street, Sixth Floor

Nashville, TN 37219-1705

Phone: (615) 862-8833 or

(615) 862-6117

www.musiccitystar.com or

www.rta-ride.org

For questions concerning the Music City

Star Game-Day Express, please contact

the RTA at:

Game-Day

Express

Travel Into Nashville/

Riverfront Station

Return Trip Towards

Lebanon Station

The fi rst train will leave Riverfront

Station 30 minutes after the game

concludes.

The second train (last train) will leave

Riverfront Station 60 minutes after the

game concludes.

Purchase your End-Zone Express

or Game-Day Express tickets

online at www.nashvillemta.org

Note: For preseason train schedules,

call (615) 862-6117.

We only accept MasterCard and Visa.

Many Metro Nashville-

Davidson County students rely on Nashville MTA buses to get to and from school, and once again MTA welcomed them back onboard. Last school year, approximately 2,000 students, including magnet school students, rode MTA buses each school day. MTA buses travel past most area schools, giving all students a reliable way to get to class and to and from afterschool activities, so getting a ride home after practice is not a problem. The communications staff recently updated its Quest Youth Bus Service brochure – a reader-friendly guide that explains how to plan a school bus trip. It is now available at MTA displays around town and on the MTA Web site at www.nashvillemta.org. MTA representatives held orientations at Nashville-area schools and distributed the

Quest brochure and other back-to-school items at the Mayor’s

Pat Downs, Brenda Miller, Mark Branch, Mayor Bill Purcell, Robert Hatch, Judy Shelton and Evon Heath pause for a photo during the Mayor’s First Day Festival.

Students go back to school with Quest Youth Passes

NASHVILLE MTA/DTO IS A DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE.

First Day Festival on Aug. 12 at the Sommet Center.

No cash? No problem for Nashville MTA passengers. The MTA has installed credit card software and hardware within the MTA network, and now customers have the option of paying their fares by credit or debit cards on MTA buses. With this new investment in fare collection technologies, MTA is the only transit agency in the country accepting credit cards at the fare box for its entire system. This new product allows more convenience to existing riders and also opens up opportunities to attract new customers. During the first three months of operation, $3,100 infares were paid by credit or debit card on MTA buses. “We are constantly looking for new ways to make the passenger experience even more enjoyable, and we believe this new initiative offers not only more convenience to existing riders but also provides an opportunity to attract new riders,” saidMTAChiefFinancialOfficerEdOliphant,whonegotiatedthe credit card initiative with GFI and Link2Gov and serves as the project manager.


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