Williamson County Mayor Advocates for Transportation

Serving as mayor since 2002, Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson has witnessed significant growth across the region—bringing new opportunities, but also new challenges, especially in how people move throughout the county. And for Anderson, there is a clear distinction.



“Traffic is what you and I sit in trying to get from point A to point B… that’s the frustration,” he explains. “Transportation is how we solve it—how we move people.”

With tens of thousands of commuters traveling in and out of Williamson County each day, long drive times and congestion have become a daily reality. Looking at the bigger picture, Anderson believes transportation rises above many other challenges communities face.

“When you step back and look at the central issue—outside of money—it’s got to be transportation,” he says. “At the end of the day, we need more solutions, all of us working together to move people from point A to point B.”

VanStar Creates Match-Making Event with Amazon

During the Amazon Commuter Roadshow 2026 in March, VanStar had a unique opportunity to engage with Amazon employees in new and interactive ways.  VanStar was able to talk about ridesharing with the 2,000 interested Amazon employees and teach how commute benefits can improve commutes and save participants money.  A new minivan was on premise at Amazon for event participants to take a ride.  The second day of the event, a catered Matchmaking Mixer allowed interested participants to gather with others in their specific geography and learn more about the VanStar ridesharing program.  Even members of the Seattle Amazon team (Benjamin Jackson, Stephanie Wallace, and Priya Balan)  got a hands-on experience with the new vehicles.  

The ARC Williamson County Uses Transit to Teach Independence

Brooke Tanner, a volunteer with ARC Williamson County, has used trips on the Franklin Transit as a fun learning and independence tool for their participants with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Trolley Tracks: Building Connections is a popular weekly outing on Wednesdays from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Led by Brooke Tanner, Independent Support Coordinator, the group uses Franklin Transit to visit local destinations.

“You have a place at Franklin Transit. It gives them the key that has been holding them back from being independent and self-reliant,” Tanner shared.

Federal Momentum Builds for Smarter Commuting

The Maximizing Transportation Efficiency Act (H.R. 7301/S. 3694), introduced last month by Rep. Marilyn Strickland (D WA) and Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D DE), would formally recognize Transportation Demand Management (TDM) in federal law and expand access to funding for rural and smaller communities. Federal momentum is building to recognize TDM as core infrastructure. 

The Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT) encourages all members to take action to help move this important legislation forward by contacting legislators and raising awareness of the importance of TDM.

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Transit Teaches Life Skills for Special Needs Students

For years, Leya White and her Franklin High School Transition 2 students have utilized Franklin Transit services as a way to connect learning with real-life application. Whether it’s traveling to job sites, running errands, or simply navigating the community, transit has played a key role in helping her students gain confidence and independence.  Leya’s dedication is rooted in a deep understanding of what her students need to succeed. Through her curriculum, she empowers students to take meaningful steps toward independence while supporting their individual goals for the future. One of the most impactful tools in that journey has been access to reliable transportation.

A Look into the Future of Smart Mobility

Hope to see you at the Tennessee Smart Mobility Expo in Nashville, May 12, 2026, at GEODIS Park. Hosted by TennSMART, the Tennessee Smart Mobility Expo is a celebration of the latest transportation technologies, innovations, and research that make Tennessee an emerging leader in mobility solutions. The Expo is attended by leaders from vehicle manufacturers and suppliers, Tennessee-based research institutions and universities, fleet operators, utilities, municipalities, state agencies, and the advanced transportation ecosystem, fostering valuable connections.

Meet Vivian 

Meet Vivian Johnson Leach—the smile behind the front desk at the TMA Group and quite possibly the reason your day instantly gets better the moment you walk in.

With a personality that makes everyone feel like a close friend, Vivian is more than our Transit Operations Representative.  With twelve years of service at TMA, she provides transportation logistics, daily dispatch, customer service, and operations assistance for our transit services.  She’s our resident fashionista and a fabulous grandmother.  Oh, and in a pinch, she can drive one of our transit vehicles.