Nashville to Launch New Southeast Bus Route January 3

WeGo will implement the new crosstown transit service to better connect residential and retail corridors in southeast Nashville.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Isometric editorial illustration showing a generic urban bus on a city thoroughfare, depicting new infrastructure development in Nashville. — Nashville transit provider WeGo will launch a new crosstown bus route on January 3 to improve transit access between residential and retail hubs. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should your local government prioritize funding for new crosstown bus routes to improve community transit access?

Nashville transit provider WeGo will launch a new crosstown bus route on January 3 to serve the rapidly growing southeast area of the city. The service aims to bridge residential hubs with key retail destinations like the Tanger Outlet Mall.

Why it matters

The new route is designed to provide direct transit access across southeast Nashville, eliminating the need for commuters to transfer in downtown. This connectivity is intended to open up better employment and shopping opportunities for local residents.

The new route will reduce travel time between Nolensville Pike and Hickory Hollow from 90 minutes to 30 minutes. Buses are scheduled to run at a frequency of 30 to 40 minutes.

The players

WeGo

This is the primary transit authority responsible for operating bus and public transportation services throughout Nashville.

The details

The route expansion was approved in October 2026 to support the area surrounding Antioch, where the population nearly doubled from 51,000 to 99,000 residents between 2000 and 2020. This transit development follows other local infrastructure investments including the opening of the Southeast Police Precinct and Mariposa Park.

Antioch saw its population grow from 51,000 to 99,000 between 2000 and 2020.
The Southeast Police Precinct opened in November 2025.
Mariposa Park opened in July 2026.
The city approved the Route 73 expansion in October 2026.
Service for Route 73 begins on January 3, 2027.

Market Landscape

This route launch follows the pattern of recent infrastructure growth set by the city's 2026 transit development plans. It shifts the regional transit landscape by directly connecting underserved retail corridors, positioning WeGo to better manage the population density of the southern suburbs.

Commuters traveling between Nolensville Pike and Hickory Hollow will save an hour of travel time per trip starting this January. Shoppers in the area will gain direct bus access to major retail centers like the Tanger Outlet Mall without needing to transit through downtown.

The takeaway

Reliable transit infrastructure is a critical component for supporting rapidly expanding suburban populations. Residents should check the updated WeGo schedules closer to the January launch date to plan their new commuting routes effectively.