^^It cost roughly $40 Million to implement commuter rail between Nashville and Lebanon, far cheaper than the projected $250 million for the line to Murfreesboro. On top of that, the line to Murfreesboro is owned and operated by CSX Transportation Corporation. They have stated that there is no capacity for passenger rail on that line. New track would need to be built. The east corridor is managed by the Nashville & Eastern Rail Authority and is not a heavy freight corridor. The Nashville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is the regional transportation planning agency. They recently published the final report for the SE Corridor Study on their website. They are currently conducting a study in the NE Corridor between Nashville and Gallatin.
Prior to any additional investment in rail or regional mass transit, there must first be a dedicated source of funding (penny tax, vehicle registration fees) approved by the voters. That dedicated source of funding is why places like Charlotte and Denver can build these systems.
