City officials plan to reinstate the Memphis Area Transit Authority’s (MATA) Board of Commissioners by September.
A spokesperson for the city of Memphis confirmed that Memphis Mayor Paul Young plans to reappoint the board almost a year after a majority of its members resigned.
Several board members resigned following the appointment of a trustee to oversee MATA in 2025, which resulted in the cancellation of plans to interview candidates for a new CEO to head the transit agency. Currently, MATA’s website lists only three members on the MATA board, which advocates say 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.
This announcement comes a day after Young met with public transit advocates about the agency’s service adjustments, appointments to the board, and other issues facing bus riders.
Questions on the status of MATA’s board began to resurface when the transit agency announced a number of service changes that went into effect on May 17th. 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
Bus riders acknowledged MATA’s commitment to inform the public of their changes, as they hosted a public meeting on Monday, May 4th. They also called on Young to appoint a new board before the changes are made permanent due to concerns regarding the city’s charter.
According to the city’s charter, the MATA board has control over routes and bus schedules.
Transit advocates have been vocal about change at the agency, and have looked to Young and Memphis City Council to hold MATA accountable due to the board’s absence. Several organizers and riders attended Tuesday’s meeting of the Memphis City Council to voice their concerns and asked for more investments for the agency.
Cynthia Bailey, who is still listed as a MATA commissioner on the agency’s website, spoke to the council on behalf of bus riders. Bailey brought rider concerns regarding leadership and new buses, and told the council that she “strongly” disagreed with the new service changes.
“How [were] adjustments changed without a board?,” asked Bailey. “You have to have a board in order to make changes to any kind of route [and] scheduling because it’s a proposal. You cannot make a proposal without a full board.”
During the meeting the council thanked Bailey for her concerns and said staff would take note and follow up. They asked riders to send a list of concerns to the council so they could send them to Holmes to “start getting answers.”
Council member Michalyn Easter-Thomas said this would be a way for the council to see what power they have in addressing these issues.