For the second year, the Nashville MTA and Regional Transportation Authority of Middle Tennessee (RTA) are offering free rides on all MTA and RTA buses and the Music City Star the Friday after Thanksgiving, which is known as ‘Black Friday.’ The day is traditionally the first official shopping day of the holiday season.
“We are pleased to offer this opportunity again this year,” MTA Board Chair Jeff Yarbro said. “Not only is it a way to introduce public transit to those who may have never used our services, it’s also a way to say thank you to our loyal customers.” The free rides last all day and are unlimited.
Last year, Nashville MTA and RTA experienced record weekday ridership compared to regular Friday ridership. The routes to and from the area shopping malls had the highest number of riders. For those wishing to take advantage of the free ride to local malls, the following chart provides the routes with buses that travel to or near area malls:
The Mall at Green Hills: 2 Belmont; 7 Hillsboro; 21 University Connector
Opry Mills: 34 Opry Mills
Rivergate Mall: 26 Gallatin Pike; 35X Rivergate Express; 56 Gallatin Pike BRT lite
Global Mall at The Crossings: 15 Murfreesboro Pike; 33X Hickory Hollow/Lenox Express; 55 Murfreesboro Pike BRT lite; Nashville West; 10 Charlotte
100 Oaks Mall: 1 100 Oaks; 17 12th Avenue South
The free rides also include RTA express bus services which operate in Murfreesboro, Smyrna, La Vergne, Clarksville, Pleasant View, Joelton, Springfield, Franklin, Brentwood, Gallatin, Hendersonville, Thompson’s Station and Spring Hill. The Music City Star operates between Lebanon and Nashville.
Service for both the MTA and RTA will begin early Friday morning on November 28 and will end when the buses and regional train complete their final runs late Friday night. For MTA and RTA schedule information, call Customer Care at 615-862-5950 or visit
