Nashville proposes designated rideshare zones to ease downtown traffic congestion

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — The Nashville Department of Transportation wants to limit where rideshare companies can pick up and drop off passengers.

NDOT officials told the Metro Traffic and Parking Commission that they want to install rideshare pick up and drop off zones downtown that would operate during certain hours. As it stands now, Uber and Lyft drivers can pick up and drop off people almost anywhere – and it’s causing major problems.

NDOT says at times, drivers just stop in the middle of the street to pick people up or illegally park to wait for passengers. The zones would be written into the rideshare contracts with the city so drivers will automatically know where they can and cannot drop off and pick up.

“I know the downtown has a lot of customers down there using rideshare,” says Brent Schultz from NDOT. “

NDOT says they have already spoke with both Uber and Lyft about the new zones.

“They want to work with us on these sites and they would like to have designated sites to go to,” Schultz said.

NDOT is planning to launch a pilot program for these new zones very close the Tennessee Performing Arts Center later this month.

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