'Adopt a Stop' Program

I am pretty excited and impressed with MTA's latest initiative to keep the bus stops clean and well maintained. Local residents and businesses can adopt a bus stop, much like the adopt a highway or street program, and volunteer to keep the stop clean and presentable. Exciting, right?! I've often made an attempt to clean up the area around my local stop, the effort initiated by my desire to have clean surroundings and possibly encourage others to ride the bus. And just a couple of weeks ago, I lamented to my local MTA driver, Eric, that I wish MTA would do more to keep the stops clean, including having trash cans at each stop so residents and riders have a place to dispose of trash.

Well, when I got on his bus today, he asked me who I know at MTA, because right after we were talking about it, he looked on MTA's website and saw the program advertised. I had to admit, I had nothing to do with this program, but nonetheless excited about the initiative and eager to sign up to do my part. Signing up is easy and can be done right online using the above link.

So, I've signed up and will make it a point to take a plastic bag with me to my stop a couple of times a week. Much like picking up after a pet, I can tidy up the stop without touching the trash and place it right in the can. Now I feel challenged to keep 'my stop' tidy and challenge others to do the same. I've always felt that if bus stops and the actual buses were well maintained, possibly more students and professionals would be inclined to ride the bus as an alternative transportation option. Bravo to MTA! Now let's see how many Nashville residents and businesses step up to keep Nashville beautiful and possibly increase transit ridership. Who will join me?