Transportainment (R) (sometimes misspelled transpotainment) is a tregistered trademark of Historic Tours of America, Inc. The term is a hybrid mixing of the words 'transportation' and 'entertainment'. Transportainment (R) is refers to historic sightseeing tours offered by the company through its subsidiaries, including Old Town Trolley Tours (R). It was misappropriated to describe a type of tourist entertainment in which parties ride in large open-air party buses, moving at slow speeds through the main street of a town, with music and drinking amidst a general revelry.[1][2][3]
From 2017 to the present, it has been prevalent on weekend nights in the American city of Nashville, Tennessee, usually lasting into the late hours, on the street called Lower Broadway.[3] Vehicles used to ferry partygoers include decommissioned troop transport trucks, buses, tractor-trailers, stretch limousines, and pickup trucks.[1][2] One estimate from Nashville authorities was that there were forty private companies offering such services to tourists.[4] Vehicles can hold from 10 to 25 persons.[3] One service termed Hell on Wheels allows partygoers to ride through Nashville while some of the proceeds go to Homes for Troops Charity which builds residences for severely wounded veterans.[1]
The growing practice has been criticized for causing traffic congestion and slowdowns, loud noise, and accidents. According to one account, a person fell off of a moving vehicle which subsequently ran over his legs.[4] The industry was largely unregulated,[2][5] although in fall of 2021 there were proposals to regulate the practice.[1][6] Nashville in December 2021 banned open containers of alcohol on open-air party buses, forcing operators to enclose them to serve alcohol. In June 2022 the city restricted their hours of operation, issued permits for dozens of vehicles, and rejected applications for dozens more. Pedal taverns are regulated separately.[7]
References
- 1 2 3 4 Alex Corradetti (May 22, 2020). "The ride to reopening for Nashville's 'transportainment' industry". News 2. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
..."Hell on Wheels utilizes five-ton, decommissioned troop transport trucks that were meant to carry troops in combat," ... partnered with Homes for Troops Charity, an organization that builds custom homes for severely wounded veterans.... Currently, the 'transportainment' industry is not regulated by the Metropolitan Transportation Licensing Commission....
- 1 2 3 Brinley Hineman (July 24, 2020). "Nashville party buses, larger 'transportainment' vehicles must close, city says". The Tennessean. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
...The "transportainment" vehicles, including pedal taverns, party tractors and the like, were at first exempt from this order since they aren't under Metro's authority if they weigh over 10,000 pounds. ...
- 1 2 3 Laken Bowles (March 25, 2021). "As vaccinations surpass 20%, Nashville eases COVID restrictions; what you need to know". News Channel 5 Nashville. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
...Events and "transportainment" can go until 2 a.m., consistent with restaurant and bar hours. "Transportainment" can have groups up to 25, consistent with 25-person outdoor gathering limit....
- 1 2 Rick Rojas (September 19, 2021). "In the Heart of Nashville, Rolling Parties Rage at Every Stoplight: As Nashville's popularity has grown, so has the "transportainment" business — a motley assortment including old buses, farm tractors and a truck with a hot tub. Many think it has gotten out of hand". The New York Times. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
...As Nashville has cemented its reputation as a destination for getaways and bachelorette trips, party vehicles have proliferated ... City officials estimate as many as 40 companies operate vehicles on weekends. ... a 22-year-old man fell off a party bus that then ran over his legs ...
- ↑ Mike Reicher and Mariah Timms (October 12, 2018). "Nashville party vehicles fall into regulatory loophole, with no local oversight". The Tennessean. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
...In Nashville, ... Tourists to Music City each day board "party buses," stretch limousines and other commercial passenger vehicles ... commercial for-hire vehicles that carry 14 or more passengers aren't subject to strict local oversight....
- ↑ Amanda Chin (September 12, 2021). "Bill introduced to regulate controversial transpotainment vehicles". Fox 17 WZTV Nashville. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
...Lower Broadway has probably seen party buses, tractors, hot tubs, and more, filled with visitors. ... the problems with them, ranging from noise to you know, the nuisance grade up to safety ... The bill includes limiting open containers and requiring local permits for vehicles and drivers.
- ↑ Gainey, Blaise (2022-06-30). "Party's over for some transportainment companies as Nashville denies dozens of party vehicle permits". WPLN. Retrieved 2023-05-30.