WeGo Public Transit is conducting a survey onboard all fixed-route buses and the WeGo Star from October – December 2026. During this time, interviewers will ask passengers questions about their transit trips onboard transit vehicles.
What is the Onboard Transit Passenger Survey?
The survey is a study of how people use transit to travel in the Nashville region. Questions focus on trip behavior and demographics. Your responses help WeGo understand travel patterns and choices of transit riders and go to transit infrastructure improvements and service planning.
Who is conducting the study?
The people you see on the buses and trains administering the surveys are contracted employees. The data belongs to WeGo.
How do I participate in the survey?
Interviewers will randomly select passengers to take the survey. Random selection is necessary to ensure that the data is statistically valid. While volunteers are not allowed to take the survey, we appreciate your participation if you are selected.
How long will it take to complete the survey?
Your individual interview will take five to seven minutes to complete.
Why do you need to ask about personal information such as income? What does that have to do with how I use transit?
WeGo is required to collect specific demographic data about passengers including race, household income, and language proficiency to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This information is submitted to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) approximately every five years. Also, studies have shown that certain household characteristics, such as income, are key indicators of travel behavior. By understanding these relationships, planners are better able to predict how recommended service improvements will perform. Personal information is removed from all records, and the results are aggregated to ensure your privacy and anonymity.
How will I know that the interviewer is legitimate?
Official survey staff members wear a uniform consisting of a blue vest and an official surveyor badge. They carry a tablet and will never ask you for information such as your social security number or bank account information.
What if I have a complaint or a concern about a specific interviewer?
Please note a description of the interviewer and contact WeGo Customer Care. Include all relevant information (date/time/location of encounter, reason for concern), so that the matter can be investigated.
Is the survey available online?
No. Since the survey asks about the specific transit trip, only passengers who are on transit on the survey day are being selected for interviews.
Are people with disabilities included in the survey?
Yes. Anyone riding transit during the survey period is included in the random selection methodology. Interviewers can assist customers with disabilities complete the survey or provide the option to complete it later by phone.
Is the survey available in other languages?
Yes. Bilingual staff will be available. Additionally, customers speaking other languages can choose to complete the survey later by phone in their respective languages.
How will the data be reported?
Published reports will summarize the survey data but will not disclose Personally Identifiable Information (PII).
Will I have access to the data or the final findings?
A summary report will be available when the study is complete in 2027.
Is the data shared with or sold to anyone other than WeGo?
No. To ensure the anonymity of survey respondents, personal information will not be included in the final data files.
Will my route be eliminated or changed based on my information?
This information will allow transit providers to implement enhancements to the system that make it more effective, reliable, and efficient. The goal is to better meet travelers’ needs.
When will the project be completed?
Surveying of all transit routes is expected to be finished by December 2026.
How do I know that my personal information is safe?
The survey consultant and WeGo are required to protect the confidentiality of personally identifiable information (PII). Key provisions include storing PII on secure computers, protecting it from unauthorized use, and destroying PII after an agreed-upon time.
Who can I contact to get more information on the study?
You can contact the project manager, [email protected]