WeGo is giving passengers free Uber credits to get to bus stations

NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) – A new tool is helping connect people in Nashville who don’t have easy access to a bus stop.

The WeGo Link program could expand countywide as part of Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s transit referendum currently on the ballot.

WeGo Link gives riders up to $8 in Uber credits to go from home to the bus stop. Each ride costs the passenger $2, and they are responsible for any costs above the base credit.

Manaen Hall is one of more than 1,000 people who now use the app every month. That’s up from fewer than 200 people a month at this time last year.

Hall’s Madison neighborhood is more than a mile from the nearest bus stop, and there are no sidewalks in downtown Nashville that he can safely use to get to and from work.

“Many of these roads are hilly and drivers don’t see pedestrians,” Hall said. “Until we can improve this infrastructure and add sidewalks, using WeGo Link is a great option to get to the bus stop safely.”

The program is currently available in 16 neighborhoods on the outskirts of the city center. About a third of WeGo Link riders use the service at night, so they don’t have to walk to the bus stop in the dark.

WeGo spokesman Eric Melcher said the service is designed to take someone to the nearest hub on a frequent route on the bus system. They cannot use Uber credits for any trips other than to or from an approved WeGo stop in their area.

“This gives riders more options to access our system and then use WeGo,” Melcher said. “The idea is that WeGo Link helps fill gaps in our service. Unfortunately, there are many gaps in our service.”

Many people use the program on Sundays to get to Titans games at Nissan Stadium or as an alternative to parking spots, Melcher said.

Passengers can download reusable vouchers. from WeGo website and link them to an Uber account, Melcher said. People still need to have a QuickTicket or exact cash to pay for their bus fare after traveling on WeGo Link.