MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Murfreesboro Elected City officials and city and state transportation administrators gathered Thurs. Aug. 28, at 324 New Salem Hwy. to officially cut the ribbon for the new Murfreesboro Transit Center. The Transit Center, with a passenger pavilion, maintenance and administration building, opens to the public with new routes Sept. 8.

Amid rapid growth and traffic congestion, the new Transit Center will better facilitate transportation within city limits and through partnership with WeGo Public Transit. Addressing the challenges of the congested and growing Middle Tennessee region makes partnerships between local transit agencies and WeGo Public Transit increasingly important in making local connections with reginal services, especially along the congested I-24 corridor.

TDOT Deputy Commissioner Preston Elliott helped celebrate the City’s new facility emphasizing the importance of mobility for all citizens “We are very excited at the Transportation Department to be partnering with Murfreesboro on this project that will provide enhanced mobility to the residents of this community to make trips for medical needs, shopping, education and other uses. Through integrated transit with the Murfreesboro trail system and sidewalks, Murfreesboro is providing a true multimodal solution to its residents.” 

Preston applauded the City’s leadership for making the investment in the facility and noted that TDOT is also making significant investments in Choice Lanes on the I-24 corridor, a heavily traveled interstate. Buses traveling on the future Choice Lanes will operate for free to enhance connectivity for residents to jobs.

Mayor Shane McFarland stressed the importance of the City’s Transit Center partnerships with TDOT and the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA): “It really provides a place for us to be able to partner with TDOT, WeGo, Mid-Cumberland and others to get people to their jobs, to medical appointments, and to places some citizens couldn’t otherwise get to without public transportation.”

The City of Murfreesboro received $9 million in TDOT IMPROVE ACT funds and $5 million in Federal dollars for design and construction of the new facility. The City’s required $2.8 million in local matching funds for the project came from the 2019 and 2022 Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The new facility sits on a 5.5-acre site across from the Doug Young Public Safety Training Facility.

“It’s a true example of collaboration and partnerships. Through the IMPROVE ACT of 2017, TDOT invested $21 million in projects like this.” said Dan Pallme, TDOT Assistant Bureau Chief of Planning and Director of Passenger Transportation, Rail and Freight. “I’m confident that many more of these projects in Tennessee are to come in places like Hendersonville and Antioch and the state is here to help.”

The Murfreesboro Transit Center includes a 2,375 square feet passenger waiting pavilion for loading and unloading, a 3,200 square feet bus maintenance facility, parking, and a new administration building with staff offices.

Jason Spain, executive director of the Tennessee Public Transportation Association (TPTA) recognized Murfreesboro for its leadership. “The opening of the Murfreesboro Transit Center is a vital step forward for public transportation in Middle Tennessee. Today, with the opening of this modern and accessible transit hub, Murfreesboro is reaffirming its commitment to a more connected and inclusive future. A project like this takes vision, collaboration, and hard work.” 

TPTA serves as a statewide nonprofit association dedicated to improving public transportation across Tennessee. “What’s been built here is more than just a building, it’s a symbol of progress, opportunity and connection, a place people can connect to jobs, schools, healthcare and to each other.”

HDR Inc. was the Design Team for the project and Franklin-based Rock City Construction was awarded the bid for the $17 million construction of the project.

Murfreesboro Transit operates a fleet of 12 buses and 18 drivers. The central hub has long been located at 222 W. Burton in downtown Murfreesboro since transit operations began in 2007. The new Transit Center on New Salem Hwy provides a more central location for boarding and transferring passengers. It also houses dispatch, operations, administration, and maintenance facilities for the public transit system.

Murfreesboro Transit has a mobile app to track public transit service and is available for downloading via Apple and Android devices. Just go to your device’s App store and search “Murfreesboro Transit” featuring the identifiable City rotunda featured in the City of Murfreesboro logo.

For more information on Murfreesboro Transit, including Route Changes effective Sept. 8, 2025, visit https://www.murfreesborotn.gov/248/Murfreesboro-Public-Transit.