A transit expert called a “transportation innovator” by President Barack Obama will be coming to Nashville April 12 to host a community meeting focused on designing an inclusive transit system whose mission is to serve the needs of all Nashvillians. Dr. Beverly Scott is an alumna of Fisk University and formerly led the MARTA system in Atlanta, Ga., as well as the MBTA system in Boston, Mass. In 2011, President Obama named Dr. Scott to the National Infrastructure Advisory Council for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, a panel tasked with advising the White House on protecting and preserving public infrastructure critical to the nation’s security. She will be joined by Steve Bland, chief executive officer of the Metropolitan Transit Authority and the Regional Transit Authority to brief community members on the nMotion plan, which details various options for creating an expanded regional transit system for Middle Tennessee.

“For a transit system to have the support of the community,” said Dr. Scott, “it must be equitable and inclusive. I’ve focused much of my career on developing transit systems which give access and opportunity for all communities.”

The event will be held at the North Nashville Police Precinct at 2231 26th Avenue North and will begin at 5 pm. The public is invited.

The event is sponsored by ‘Moving Forward: Transit Solutions for our Region,’ a community based initiative focused on building support for regional transportation. Moving Forward has established a goal of engaging 30,000 citizens across the region in transit discussions by the end of 2017.

Rev. Judy Cummings, senior pastor, New Covenant Christian Church and vice chair of Moving Forward’s Routes, Networks and Modes committee will participate in the discussion and will be joined by Sharon Hurt, member, Metro Council.