Bus riders claim the Memphis Area Transit Authority’s (MATA) proposed 2026 service changes go against the city’s charter, despite the agency’s stated goal of providing reliable service.
Transit advocates said they are unhappy with the proposed changes, and noted that under the city’s charter, MATA cannot enforce service adjustments without appearing before the MATA board.
The transit authority announced changes to its bus frequencies, route changes, and beginning and end time adjustments as an attempt to stabilize the company and provide better service. According to a MATA presentation, the organization will add buses to its busiest routes for more stability and to help reduce overcrowding and delays.
MATA will also extend the service time on routes with growing ridership and change schedules to keep up with rider demands. It will also shorten operations on routes with low late-night ridership. The agency said this affects “less than 1.5 percent of riders [on] weekdays.”
There will also be changes to Route 2 Madison, Route 8 Chelsea and Highland, Route 19 Vollintine, and Route 69 Winchester.
The adjustments are set to go into effect on May 17th.
Bus riders acknowledged MATA’s commitment to inform the public of their changes, as they hosted a public meeting on Monday, May 4. However, they called on Mayor Paul Young to appoint a new board before the changes are made permanent.
“The MATA administration should not make upcoming service adjustments, which may be service cuts in disguise without the approval or disapproval of a MATA board,” Johnnie Mosley, founding chairman of Citizens For Better Service, said. “The city charter gives final authority to the MATA board.”
According to the city’s charter, the MATA board has control over routes and bus schedules. Following the city’s announcement to appoint a trustee to oversee MATA in 2025 — thus cancelling planned CEO interviews, several board members resigned. MATA’s website lists only three members on the MATA board, which advocates said does not constitute a quorum.
MATA has reported to city council to provide updates on transit operations under the leadership of city trustee, Rodrick Holmes. Holmes was also announced as interim CEO, with city of Memphis financial officer Walter Person appointed trustee for financial oversight.
Cynthia Bailey is still listed on the website as a board commissioner, and co-chair of the Memphis Bus Riders Union. Bailey advised the agency against making changes before Young appoints new board members.
“The city charter gives final say on bus routes to the MATA board to avoid negative impact on bus riders who depend on public transportation the most,” Bailey said in a statement.
Advocates also sent a letter to Councilman Edmund Ford, chair of the Memphis City Council’s transportation committee. The letter urged Ford and city council to intervene in MATA’s plans as it will do “more harm to bus riders in the city.”
“If you look at the proposed service adjustments, bus riders are going to hurt more than they are hurting now,” the letter said. “I am predicting we are going to hear more stories of bus riders losing jobs, missing doctor appointments, and being stranded as they struggle to figure out how to get to their destinations.”