City Council Approves New Murfreesboro Transit Shelters
Keystone Partners LLC to Begin Phase 1 Installation Later This Year
Murfreesboro Transit bus riders in Murfreesboro will soon see new transit shelters at several stops after the City Council approved a contract Thursday, July 2, 2026, to begin installation later this year.
The Murfreesboro City Council approved a construction contract with Keystone Partners LLC for the Murfreesboro Transit Shelters Group 1 project. The Council action advances the City’s ongoing initiative to expand transit amenities and improve accessibility for riders across the system. The new shelters present a more modern appearance, equipped with solar lighting.
“The shelters represent a continued investment in public transportation and a commitment to improving the daily experience of riders,” said Mayor Shane McFarland. “The new shelters will offer shade, seating, and improved accessibility for passengers who rely on the fixed‑route service.”
“The first round of locations was selected based on ridership patterns and feedback from residents requesting better amenities,” said Murfreesboro Transit Director Russ Brashear. “The shelters will be installed in several phases with seven shelters installed in 2026.”
The Group 1 project includes concrete pads, ADA‑accessible features, trashcans, bench seating, and coordination with utilities to prepare each site. Installation will occur in phases as materials arrive and sites are cleared. The City’s FY27 Transportation Department budget funded the 10 percent local match for the shelter project with 10 percent State and 80 percent federal funding.
Keystone Partners submitted the lowest responsive and qualified bid at $276,660, following a competitive bidding process that closed June 3, 2026. Four firms submitted proposals. Kimley‑Horn, the project engineer, reviewed all submissions and recommended Keystone Partners for the award. Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR) will perform Construction administration.
The shelter project stems from a Transit Route and Shelter Placement Study completed by Kimley‑Horn in 2022. The study evaluated route realignments, shelter locations, and facility needs in preparation for Murfreesboro’s new Transit Facility at 324 New Salem Hwy. After the study’s completion, the City moved forward with design, permitting, and bidding for the first group of shelters with the purpose of adding additional shelters along existing routes and identifying locations for new routes. The study identified 32 locations.
The Murfreesboro Transit Center includes a 2,375 square feet passenger waiting pavilion for loading and unloading, a 3,200 square feet bus maintenance facility, parking, and a new administration building with staff offices. The Transit Center provides a more central location for boarding and transferring passengers.
Murfreesboro Transit has a mobile app to track public transit service and is available for downloading via Apple and Android devices. Just go to your device’s App store and search “Murfreesboro Transit” featuring the identifiable City rotunda featured in the City of Murfreesboro logo.
For more information about Murfreesboro Transit and bus services, visit MurfreesboroTN.gov/transit.
