A resolution requesting the Metropolitan Transit Authority to develop a plan for marketing its services to employees of the Metropolitan Government, the State of Tennessee, and other large employers in Nashville to conserve energy, increase ridership and reduce air pollution.

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) has the stated goal of increasing ridership at a rate of 100,000 additional passengers in each of the next five years; and

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council approved a supplement for MTA for fiscal year 2007 in the amount $17,829,100, which is an increase of 105% over the fiscal year 2002 supplement for MTA; and

WHEREAS, in addition to this tremendous increase in the operating supplement for MTA, the Metropolitan Council has authorized substantial capital contributions to MTA to upgrade the fleet of buses; and

WHEREAS, MTA is currently partnering with Vanderbilt University and Belmont University whereby the institutions pay for students and faculty to ride MTA buses free of charge; and

WHEREAS, given the extremely high cost of gasoline, employees of other businesses and institutions may be more willing to ride MTA buses if their employer contributed toward the cost; and

WHEREAS, pursuing partnerships with the Metropolitan Government, the State Government, and other large employers in Davidson County would further conserve energy, increase ridership, protect our environment, and possibly reduce the amount taxpayers are required to subsidize MTA's services.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. That the Metropolitan County Council hereby goes on record as requesting the Metropolitan Transit Authority to develop a plan for marketing its services to employees of the Metropolitan Government, the State of Tennessee, and other large employers in Nashville to conserve energy, increase ridership and reduce air pollution.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to Paul Ballard, the CEO of the Metropolitan Transit Authority.

Section 3. The Metropolitan Transit Authority is further requested to respond to the Council as to the feasibility of and/or action taken in compliance with the request stated in Section 1 hereof not later than sixty (60) days after the adoption of this Resolution.

Section 4. That this Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Ludye Wallace, Jim Gotto