Give The Man A Cigar — And A Bus

By Kleinheider Posted on May 20, 2008 at 8:14 pm

Thomas F. “Freddie” O’Connell was unanimously approved tonight by both the Rules Committee and the full Metro Council for a five year term on the Metro Transit Authority’s Board of Directors.

All hail Biodiesel.

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Tags: Biodiesel, Buses, Freddie O'Connell, Karl Dean, Metro Transit Authority, MTA  

The Bus Lobby

By Kleinheider Posted on May 16, 2008 at 6:21 pm

Some regulation bus rides are none too pleased with the MTA’s plans for their beloved public transportation:

A meeting to organize Nashville bus riders to lobby against fare increases and service cuts will be noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at the East Library on Gallatin Pike.

“MTA imposed a fare hike a few months ago and before that did away with transfers. The system has become less affordable for many poor and low-income riders,” said Daniel Hoover, a bus rider and a member of the NBRU’s organizing committee.
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On Thursday, the Metropolitan Transit Authority recommended raising its base fare by 25 cents to $1.60 in July. It also recommends cutting the Night Owl 0wl late-night bus and seven routes and limiting service on an eighth. The eliminated routes are Sylvan Park, Harpeth Valley Express, Vine Hill, Oak Hill Express, Madison-Old Hickory, McFerrin and Tusculum Express. The 8th Avenue route will have reduced trips.

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Tags: 25 cents, Metro Transit Authority, MTA  

Get Ready For Freddie: Biodiesel Motorist Mayor’s Pick For MTA Board Of Directors

By Kleinheider Posted on May 6, 2008 at 7:27 pm

Likely as I type, the name of Thomas F. “Freddie” O’Connell, internet strategist for NashvillePost.com’s parent company, is being submitted by the Mayor’s office at tonight’s council meeting to fill an expiring term on the Metro Transportation Authority’s Board of Directors.

O’Connell, whom you may know as the half of the dynamic duo of Liberadio(!) Monday mornings on WRVU, was chosen by Mayor Karl Dean, according to spokeswoman Janel Lacy because he is “a regular bus rider and an avid proponent of public transporation.”

Uh, yeah, I suppose you could say that. Let’s make it plain: the man likes his buses, he wants more of them, and he wants them going more places more often. That much he has made clear.

A man committed to keeping his carbon footprint to a minimum, O’Connell only recently bought a car after years of relying solely on public transportation for his mobility. His recent move to the North End combined with the lure of Daryl Hannah’s wheels proved too tempting for the principled environmentalist and former state house candidate to resist.

As for how this outside agitator advocate feels about being snuggled into the bosom of the public transportation establishment, O’Connell couldn’t be more pleased at the opportunity to serve his hometown and offer a fresh prospective, “I look forward to discovering creative solutions to transit issues with the current board.”

O’Connell continues, “With gas prices increasing demand for mass transit, but costs for all transit, I expect this to be a challenging responsibility.”

After O’Connell’s name is submitted tonight, he will be called to appear before the Metro Council’s Rules Committee at the next council meeting on May 20th for a preconfirmation Q&A before a vote of the full council makes Freddie O’Connell an official member of the MTA Board of Directors for a full five year term.

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Tags: Biodiesel, Buses, Freddie O'Connell, Karl Dean, Metro Transit Authority, MTA