One year of the Dr. Ernest "Rip" Patton Jr. North Nashville Transit Center
NASHVILLE – WeGo Public Transit is celebrating the Dr. Ernest "Rip" Patton Jr. North Nashville Transit Center with a Community Day on Saturday, October 11. In the spirit of the commitment Dr. Patton had to North Nashville, the new transit center brings added bus service and new connections, providing neighborhood residents with better access to jobs, healthcare, and education. The public event is an opportunity for people to explore how the transit center also serves as a cultural landmark and community gathering space. The Patton Center officially opened in August of 2024. WeGo made significant route changes in March of 2024 for the new transit center. Since those changes, WeGo has recorded:
- A 70% increase in service on the routes involved in the redesign (9, 14, 22, 41, 42, 71, 75, 77)
- A 40% increase in ridership on those same routes
- 2.5 times the number of bus boardings in the area
- Seven times as many boardings on Routes 75 & 77 as before
The ridership numbers show that passengers are taking advantage of the new and more frequent crosstown service to make their trips without going downtown.
The Patton Center is an example of what can be accomplished with neighborhood transit centers. Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s Choose How You Move program plans for 12 additional transit centers in neighborhoods across Nashville.
The free, family-friendly event on October 11 will celebrate the center’s role as both a transit hub and a cultural landmark, honoring Dr. Patton and the Freedom Riders. Attendees can:
- Explore on-site exhibits honoring Dr. Patton’s legacy
- Engage with artists LeXander Bryant and WOKE3 as they share stories behind their installations
- Enjoy live entertainment and food from local vendors
What: WeGo Community Day
When: Saturday, October 11 from noon to 3 p.m.
Where: Dr. Ernest “Rip” Patton Jr. North Nashville Transit Center, 2521 Clarksville Pike, Nashville, TN 37208
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Editors: Ridership figures are from March 2024 (pre-service changes that included Patton Center changes) compared to April-June 2025 (most recent complete quarter).