Jason Spain from Tennessee Public Transportation Association (TPTA) Talks Tennessee Transportation

Jason Spain: Why Public Transportation Matters Across Tennessee

Public transportation is about more than getting from one place to another. According to Jason Spain of the Tennessee Public Transportation Association (TPTA), it is about connecting people to the opportunities and resources they need to be part of their communities. Spain explained that TPTA’s mission is to improve public transportation across Tennessee by bringing transit agencies together to share best practices, collaborate, and advocate for programs and funding that support communities across the state.

Connecting Tennesseans to What Matters

With 25 member agencies across Tennessee, Spain highlighted how public transportation can look very different depending on the community. In larger cities, transit may include buses operating on fixed routes, while rural communities may rely on demand-response services that pick riders up at their homes and take them to important destinations. “Wherever you are, the mission is the same,” Spain said. “It’s about connecting Tennesseans with the places they need to go.” For people without access to a vehicle, transportation can be especially important. Spain noted that transit can help people reach employment, health care appointments, education, and other essential destinations while helping them stay connected to their communities.

A Workforce and Economic Development Tool

Spain also emphasized the important role transit plays in supporting Tennessee’s workforce. “If you’re an employer and you’ve got a vacancy and you find an applicant who meets your needs … but they can’t access the job site, you haven’t solved the problem,” Spain explained. As Tennessee continues to grow, employers are increasingly considering how employees will get to their workplaces. Spain said transit can help employers access a larger pool of workers while helping employees access more job opportunities. He also sees public transportation as a tool for recruiting and retaining employees, particularly as businesses continue to move to Tennessee and bring employees from communities where transportation options may be more widely available.

Transit Benefits Everyone

One of Spain’s key points is that you do not have to personally ride public transportation to benefit from it. When a senior can get to a doctor’s appointment, an employee can get to work, or a student can get to school, the entire community benefits. Spain believes transportation infrastructure should grow alongside communities and support the needs of everyone. He also encouraged state and local leaders to view transit as more than a social service. “Transit is not just a social service,” Spain said. “It’s an integral part of our transportation infrastructure.”

Looking Ahead

For Spain, the future of public transportation will depend on continued investment, collaboration, and understanding the needs of individual communities. While transportation services may look different across Tennessee, Spain believes the need will always remain: people need reliable ways to get from point A to point B. As Tennessee continues to grow, public transportation will remain an important part of helping residents access jobs, health care, education, and their communities. Jason Spain’s message is simple: when people can get where they need to go, communities are stronger.