Memphis Area Transit Authority

Public transportation provider for Memphis, Tennessee

For other uses, see MATA.

Memphis Area Transit Authority

Founded| May 13, 1975; 50 years ago (May 13, 1975)
Headquarters| 1370 Levee Road
Memphis, TN
Locale| Memphis, Tennessee
Service type| Bus
Trolley
Paratransit
Routes| 23 (bus)
3 (trolley)
Fleet| 122 buses[1]
5 trolleys
Daily ridership| 11,100 (total, weekdays, Q1 2025)[2]
8,800 (bus, weekdays, Q1 2025)
0 (trolley, weekdays, Q1 2025)
Annual ridership| 2,821,900 (total, 2024)[3]
2,361,900 (bus, 2024)
233,400 (trolley, 2024)
Fuel type| Diesel, diesel-hybrid, and electric
Chief executive| John Lewis (interim)
Website| matatransit.com

The Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) is the public transportation provider for Memphis, Tennessee. It is one of the largest transit providers in the state of Tennessee; MATA transports customers in the City of Memphis and parts of Shelby County on fixed-route buses, paratransit vehicles, demand-responsive service, and the MATA Trolley system. The system is managed by a seven-member policy board appointed by the mayor and approved by the Memphis City Council.[4] In 2024, the system had a ridership of 2,821,900.

## History

[edit]

### Predecessors

[edit]

In December 1960, the stakeholders of the privately-owned Memphis Transit Co (MTC), successor to the Memphis Street Railway Company, voted to sell the system to the City of Memphis due to high operating losses.[5] The following month, the City issued bonds to complete the acquisition and purchase 40 new air-conditioned GM New Look buses for the newly formed Memphis Transit Authority (MTA).[6] The MTC continued to manage the system, but a board of commissioners was appointed by the City to set fares, fix routes, buy equipment, and make contracts.[6]

Over the next few years, MTA bought and sold buses to modernize its fleet. MTA continued to purchase buses from GM after finding demo Flxible New Look buses unsatisfactory due to issues with the air conditioning units.[7] Despite the fleet improvements and increased service, ridership began to decline.[8]

### MATA

[edit]

MATA was established by a city ordinance on May 13, 1975 to replace the MTA. The change increased the size of the board from three members to seven and gave the board the authority to hire a management firm to run the company. Purchasing power was transferred from the MTA purchasing department to a City purchasing agent.[9] This change was made in part because of poor publicity due to decisions made by MTA manager Tom Evans and city chief administrative officer Clay Huddleston.[10]

In 1981, MATA suffered from insufficient operating funds due cuts in federal and state subsidies and insufficient city funding. To make ends meet, MATA cut service and raised fares in September 1981 and again in April 1982.[11][12] At the end of the year, MATA restored Sunday service and started an advertising campaign to restore its public image.[13] In 1983, MATA started operating MAN articulated buses to reduce personnel costs on busy routes. The lack of wheelchair accommodations was met with pushback from disabled riders.[14]

In 1986, MATA board approved a plan to turn the declining Mid-America Mall (located on Main St.) into a transit mall, with existing bus routes running along it.[15] However, due to pushback, the imitation-trolley shuttle bus and streetcar alternatives were chosen for further consideration.[16] MATA began awarding construction contracts in 1991, and trolley operations began on April 29, 1993.[17]

In 2004, MATA studied purchasing hybrid electric buses to reduce emissions and fuel consumption.[18] MATA received their first Gillig hybrid buses in 2007 and piloted them on MATAplus service.[19] By 2010, MATA bought 15 hybrid buses and planned to buy 12 more, bringing the total to 15% of their fleet.[20]

Development for the Memphis 3.0 Transit Vision started in 2017,[21] in association with the Memphis 3.0 Comprehensive Plan. The process was split into three phases which surveyed the existing conditions of the network and city, contrasted the different options for transit networks, and created a draft recommended network for stakeholder feedback. The final report was completed in March 2019.[22] It included both a short-term recommended network to be implemented in 2022 as well as a long-term network to be implemented by 2040.

In 2019, the U.S. DOT awarded MATA a $12 million grant to fund the design and construction of the Memphis Innovation Corridor. The final design consisted of an eight-mile BRT line running from downtown to the University of Memphis and using battery-electric buses. MATA received another $76 million in 2022 for purchasing the BRT busses and constructing maintenance and charging stations for them.[23][24][25] MATA received the first three battery buses in July 2023 and made plans to purchase 40 additional buses by December 2024.[26]

In February 2024, Deputy CEO Bacarra Mauldin became interim CEO after Gary Rosenfeld stepped down from the position.[27] In May, Mauldin announced the discovery of a $60 million budget deficit through the Tennessee Comptroller.[28][29] On August 27, MATA finalized its fiscal year 2025 budget, eliminating six routes and laying off 241 employees to reduce the operating budget by $10 million.[30][31] In September the board of commissioners approved the cuts. But in November, Mayor Paul Young replaced all board members after receiving a draft of TransPro's diagnostic report.[32] The new board subsequently postponed the budget cuts and fare changes to February 2025.[33]

In January 2025, the board of commissioners signed an eight-month contract with TransPro for interim staffing, appointing John Lewis as CEO of MATA.[34]

## Bus service

[edit]

MATA bus on Walnut Grove Rd

As of May 2025, MATA operates 23 fixed-route bus routes. Most bus routes terminate at William Hudson Transit Center. On MATA's system map, bus routes are organized into three categories based on rush hour frequency: high frequency routes have 30-minute weekday frequency, medium frequency routes have 60-minute weekday frequency, and low frequency routes have greater than 60-minute weekday frequency.[35] MATA also operates a shuttle service to Liberty Park from downtown and the University of Memphis for the Southern Heritage Classic.[36]

In the past, MATA's roster included AM General 40 ft. buses, RTS buses, Neoplan articulated buses, and NovaBus LFS buses. The LFS was MATA's preferred fleet of choice, having been used in its lineup from February 1980 until its retirement in April 2010, when the six remaining 1994 NovaBus versions were replaced with the Gillig Advantage Hybrids.[citation needed] Today, MATA fixed-route fleet consists of diesel and diesel-electric Gillig Advantage Low Floor buses. These buses can hold 40 people seated[37] and are equipped with bike racks, Wi-Fi, and a wheelchair ramp.

### Bus Fleet

[edit]

Image  | Numbers[38] | Manufacturer &

Model

| Delivered  | Length  |

Notes

|
|
|
|
|

| 401-460  | Gillig Low Floor | 2003–2011  | 40 ft (12 m)  | Refurbished in 2018.[38]
| 3001-3022  | 2011  | 29 ft (8.8 m)  | No exit doors. Mostly used on MATAPlus and shuttle service.
| 4001-4040  | Gillig Low Floor Hybrid  | 2012–2014  | 40 ft (12 m)  | Diesel-electric
| 5001-5005  | 2012  | 35 ft (11 m)  | Diesel-electric
| 21701-21715  | Gillig Low Floor  | 2017  | 40 ft (12 m)  | First fleet to use 5 numbers, corresponding to the year it entered service (2[0]17xx)
| 21801-21818  | 2018  | Plain white scheme and frameless windows. New all white livery with green MATA logo.
| 22201-22203  | Gillig Low Floor Battery  | 2022  | Battery-electric.
| 22301-223xx  | Gillig Low Floor  | 2023  | 29 ft (8.8 m)  |
| 20801-20822  | Gillig Low Floor BRT  | 2024  | 40 ft (12 m)  | Purchased from Sun Tran.

### Current Routes

[edit]

Route | Terminals  | Major streets  | Notes

|
|
|

1 Union[39] | Hudson Transit Center  | Walnut Grove Rd and Racine St  | Union Ave, Poplar Ave, Walnut Grove Rd  | The route serves the Binghampton portion of route 53.
2 Madison[40] | University of Memphis | Madison Ave, Cooper St, Southern Ave  | The U of M branch replaces route 35 on Southern.
Knight Arnold Rd and Ridgeway Blvd  | (Mount Moriah Service)

Madison Ave, Cooper St, Southern Ave, Mount Moriah Rd, Knight Arnold Rd

| No weekend service, replacing route 21.
4 Walker[41] | Airways Transit Center  | Vance Ave, Lauderdale St, South Pkwy  |
7 Shelby & Holmes[42] | Airways Transit Center  | Shelby Dr and Kirby Parkway  | Getwell Rd, Shelby Dr, East Holmes Rd  | Service from Watkins St and Hudson Transit Center weekday mornings only
8 Chelsea & Highland[43] | Hudson Transit Center  | Airways Transit Center  | Chelsea Ave, National St, Highland St  | Highland branch and National branch combined spring 2022, improving headway on Highland branch.[44]
11 Frayser[45] | Yale Rd and Austin Peay Hwy  | Thomas St, Frayser Blvd, Yale Rd  | Serves the Amazon Facility on New Allen Rd.
12 Mallory[46] | Airways Transit Center  | Florida St, South Pkwy, Mallory Ave  | No Sunday/ Holiday Service. Serves the Airways Transit Center, replacing route 4 Walker/Alcy.
16 Southeast Circulator[47] | American Way Transit Center  | Airways Transit Center  | Mendenhall Rd, Perkins Rd, Winchester Rd  | Replaces routes 22 and 26.
19 Vollintine[48] | Hudson Transit Center  | Summer Ave and Mendenhall Rd  | Vollintine Ave, Hollywood St, Macon Rd  | No Sunday/Holiday Service. The Wolfchase branch replaces route 44
Wolfchase Galleria Mall  | Vollintine Ave, Hollywood St, Macon Rd, Covington Pike, Raleigh LaGrange Rd, Germantown Pkwy
28 Airport[49] | IRS  | I-240, Nonconnah Blvd, Winchester Rd, Tchulahoma Rd  | Replaces routes 28, 64, 99, and 280. The route ends at Memphis Int'l Airport on Sundays
30 Brooks[50] | Third St and Eastman St  | Riverdale Bend and Winchester Rd  | (Shelby Branch)

Brooks Rd, Democrat Rd, American Way, Getwell Rd, Swinnea Rd, Shelby Dr, Riverdale Rd

| Serves the Airways TC and American Way TC. New routing partially replaces route 26. New routing extends to Winchester/Riverdale
(Holmes Branch)

Brooks Rd, Democrat Rd, American Way, Getwell Rd, Arnold Rd, Tchulahoma Rd, Holmes Rd, Hickory Hill Rd, Kirby Pkwy

32 Hollywood & Hawkins Mill[51] | Airways Transit Center  | Frayser Plaza  | Airways Blvd, East Pkwy, N Hollywood St, Range Line Rd, N Watkins St  | Serves the Airways Transit Center. Hawkins Mill branch replaces route 18.
34 Central & Walnut Grove[52] | Hudson Transit Center  | Humphreys Blvd and Walnut Grove Rd  | Vance Ave, Lamar Ave, Central Ave, Highland St, Walnut Grove Rd, Humphreys Blvd  | No Sunday/Holiday Service. Replaces route 5 on Central Ave. Serves Baptist Hospital
36 Lamar[53] | Centennial Dr and Hacks Cross Rd  | (Kimball Branch)

Vance Ave, Lamar Ave, Kimball Ave, Getwell Rd, American Way, Perkins Rd, Winchester Rd

| 36A branch serves Kimball Ave, replacing route 56. 36B branch serves Knight Arnold
(Knight Arnold Branch)

Vance Ave, Lamar Ave, Knight Arnold Rd, Getwell Rd, American Way, Perkins Rd, Winchester Rd

37 Perkins[54] | American Way Transit Center  | Yale Rd and Austin Peay Hwy  | Getwell Rd, New Willow Rd, Perkins Rd, Waring Rd, Covington Pike, Raleigh LaGrange Rd  | No Sunday Service. Serves American Way Transit Center
39 South Third[55] | Hudson Transit Center  | Jonetta St and Holmes Rd  | (Horn Lake branch)

Third St, Brooks Rd, Horn Lake Rd, Holmes Rd, Levi Rd

| The Horn Lake branch replaces the southern portion of route 12.
Holmes Rd and Third St  | (Weaver and 3rd branch)

Third St, Weaver St, Holmes Rd

40 Stage-Lauderdale[56] | Alice Ave and Benton St  | Fletcher Trace Pkwy and Stage Rd  | S Fourth St, Lauderdale St, N Second St, Thomas St, Stage Rd, James Rd, Berryhill Rd  | Merged with route 13
42 Crosstown[57] | Frayser Plaza  | Holmes Rd and Hudgins Rd  | Frayser Blvd, N Watkins St, Cleveland Ave, Bellevue Blvd, Elvis Presley Blvd, Shelby Dr, Airways Blvd, Holmes Rd  |
50 Poplar[58] | Hudson Transit Center  | Exeter Rd and Poplar Ave  | Poplar Ave, Central Ave, Farmington Blvd  |
52 Jackson[59] | Methodist Hospital North  | Jackson Ave, Austin Peay Hwy  |
53 Summer[60] | Southwest Tennessee Community College | North Pkwy, Summer Ave, Sycamore View Rd  |
57 Park[61] | Primacy Pkwy and Ridgeway Rd  | McLemore Ave, Park Ave, Ridgeway Rd  | New routing replaces route 17 on McLemore and Route 35 on South Parkway between Bellevue and Lamar
69 Winchester[62] | American Way Transit Center  | Levi Rd and Oakshire  | Goodlett Rd, Winchester Rd, Millbranch Rd, Shelby Dr, Neely Rd, Raines Rd  | No Sunday/ Holiday service. New routing extends through the Boxtown and Westwood neighborhoods

## Trolley

[edit]

Main article: MATA Trolley

A Riverfront Loop trolley near Central Station.

Initially opened in 1993, the Main Street Trolley Line uses classic streetcars on a system that has grown to three routes: one along the riverfront, another serving Main Street in the heart of downtown Memphis, and an extension on Madison Avenue. The Madison Avenue line opened in 2004,[63] as the initial stage of a light rail system that would connect downtown Memphis with the Memphis International Airport and eventually to regional transit service beyond the MATA service boundaries.

Service was replaced by buses after two trolleys caught fire in late 2013 and early 2014. After nearly four years, the Main Street Trolley Line was reinstated in 2018.[64][65] The Main Street Line operated trolleys with 12-minute headways throughout the day. The Riverfront Line and Madison Line operated buses with 40-minute and 30-minute headways respectively.[66]

On August 18, 2024, MATA suspended trolley service indefinitely due to an investigation into issues with brakes and costly upgrades recommended by TDOT.[67][68]

| Line  | Opened  | Stations  | Length  | Termini

|
|
|
|
|

█ | Main Street Line | 1993  | 13  | 2.0 mi (3.2 km)[citation needed] | Butler Avenue – North End Terminal
█ | Riverfront Loop | 1997  | 19  | 4.1 mi (6.6 km)[citation needed] | none
█ | Madison Avenue Line | 2004  | 6  | 2.2 mi (3.5 km)[citation needed] | Third Street – Cleveland Station

## MATAplus

[edit]

MATAplus van

MATAplus is a shared ride paratransit service designed to meet the transportation needs of persons with disabilities in the Memphis service area. The service covers the same area as the MATA bus system and operate during the same days and hours as the fixed-route bus system in the same area. The service area extends three-fourths (3/4) of a mile beyond the fixed-routes, which means that anywhere beyond the area mentioned cannot qualify for MATAplus services.[69] Two types of services are offered through MATAplus: Advance/Demand Response, which allows riders to book reservations in advance, and a subscription service that allows riders to use the service to take them to their destination and back.[70]

## On-demand service

[edit]

A Ready! van servicing zone 2

Groove On-Demand is an on-demand service launched in February 2021. It is the successor to MATA and the Memphis Medical District Collaborative's Route 500 commuter bus. The current service also includes the Downtown Memphis Commission as a major supporter. Groove serves Downtown, the Medical District, New Chicago, and President's Island. Groove operates using software from Via Transportation.[71][72][73]

Ready! by MATA is an on-demand service launched in August 2021 as a part of the Transit Vision network redesign. Ready! serves three zones: Zone 1 covers the neighborhoods of Boxtown, Westwood, and Whitehaven. Zone 2 consists of Northaven and Frayser. Zone 3 is mostly in Cordova. Reservations works similarly to ride hailing services, but payments can be made through the GO901 app or in-person with cash. Fares are the same as fixed-route buses. Ready! operates Monday-Saturday, 6am-7pm.[74][75][76]

In October 2023, Groove served 11,105 riders. Ready! served 5,343 riders in SW Memphis, 2,248 in Northaven/Frayser, and 591 in Cordova.[77]

## Fares

[edit]

MATA charges a flat fare for all trips. Since June 20, 2020, the full fare is $1 and the senior/disabled fare is $0.50. MATA also offers a Daily Fast Pass for $2 ($1 for seniors and disabled individuals), but hasn't offered 7-day or 31-day passes since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Up to three kids under 5 can board for free with fare-paying rider.[78][79]

GO901 Smart Card

In September 2020 MATA launched GO901, a mobile fare app that allows users to purchase fares and day passes using debit and credit cards.[80][81] In conjunction with the app, MATA started offering free WiFi on vehicles starting in December 2019.[82] On August 21, 2023, MATA launched the GO901 Smart Card, which can be refilled on the app or at kiosks and service counters at MATA's transit centers.[83] The Smart Card only supports pay-as-you-go payment and can be set up to automatically refill itself.[84]

## Facilities

[edit]

MATA administrative offices are on the 12th floor of One Commerce Square. In 2023, more space was leased for staff working on capital projects.[85] The Trolley Operations and Maintenance facility is located at 547 North Main Street. The operations center and road vehicle maintenance facility are located at 1370 Levee Road. The facility was opened in 1981 and is located on top of an old garbage dump.[86]

William Hudson Transit Center

MATA owns three transit centers, two of which have parking, and one park-and-ride lot.[87] MATA also designates several malls as informal park-and-ride lots on its map.[88]

Name  | Location  | Coordinates  | Notes

|
|
|

William Hudson Transit Center  | 444 North Main Street  | 35°09′23.5″N 90°02′52″W﻿ / ﻿35.156528°N 90.04778°W﻿ / 35.156528; -90.04778 | Serves as the chief hub of the system and main transfer point for all downtown routes. Formerly known as the North End Terminal.
Central Station | 545 South Main Street  | 35°7′56″N 90°3′33″W﻿ / ﻿35.13222°N 90.05917°W﻿ / 35.13222; -90.05917 | Serves as a southern transfer point for routes 12, Riverfront Loop Trolley, and the Main Street Trolley as well as the connection point for Amtrak in Memphis.
American Way Transit Center  | 3921 American Way  | 35°04′33.7″N 89°55′58.7″W﻿ / ﻿35.076028°N 89.932972°W﻿ / 35.076028; -89.932972 | Serves as a suburban transfer location for routes: 7,8,16,30,36,37, and 69.
Airways Transit Center  | 3033 Airways Boulevard  | 35°3′42″N 89°59′33″W﻿ / ﻿35.06167°N 89.99250°W﻿ / 35.06167; -89.99250 | Serves a southern transfer point for routes: 4,12,16,28,30,32, as well as Greyhound, Jefferson Lines, and Megabus.
Madison Park-and-Ride Lot  | Madison Avenue at Claybrook Street  | 35°8′21.5″N 90°1′3″W﻿ / ﻿35.139306°N 90.01750°W﻿ / 35.139306; -90.01750 | Serves the nearby routes 2 and 42, and the Madison Avenue Line.[88]

## Fixed route ridership

[edit]

The ridership statistics shown here are of bus and streetcar fixed route services only and do not include demand response services.[89]

2,500,000

5,000,000

7,500,000

10,000,000

12,500,000

15,000,000

2002

2005

2008

2011

2014

2017

2020

2023

## See also

[edit]

* List of bus transit systems in the United States
* Memphis Central Station

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "City of Memphis 2020 Annual Agency Profile" (PDF). transit.dot.gov. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
2. ^ "Transit Ridership Report First Quarter 2025" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. May 15, 2025. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
3. ^ "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2024" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. February 19, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
4. ^ "Inside MATA – About Us | MATATransit.com". www.matatransit.com. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
5. ^ "MTC Is In Red For November". The Commercial Appeal. December 28, 1960. p. 6\. ProQuest 2654375377.
6. ^ a b Spence, John (April 2, 1961). "Memphis Encouraged by Owning Bus Line". Knoxville News Sentinel. p. 29\. ProQuest 2660716251.
7. ^ Allen, Richard (May 1, 1965). "GM Is Awarded Contract For Air-Conditioned Buses". The Commercial Appeal. p. 21\. ProQuest 2655106976.
8. ^ Allen, Richard (January 5, 1964). "MTA Expands By 15,000 Miles". The Commercial Appeal. p. 99\. ProQuest 2654511927.
9. ^ "MTA To Ask City Council to OK Debts". The Commercial Appeal. April 26, 1975. p. 19\. ProQuest 2655324531. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
10. ^ "Council Faces MTA Question". The Commercial Appeal. February 9, 1975. p. 3\. ProQuest 2656395825.
11. ^ Bernsen, Charles; Steverson, William (November 29, 1981). "End Of Line Looms For City Buses". The Commercial Appeal. p. 19\. ProQuest 2656604477.
12. ^ Felsenthal, Sandy (April 13, 1982). "Bus Cuts Leave Riders Angry, Confused". The Commercial Appeal. p. 11\. ProQuest 2656510956.
13. ^ Graham, Louis (January 13, 1983). "MATA Plans To Polish A Tarnished Image". The Commercial Appeal. p. 13\. ProQuest 2656790882.
14. ^ Dawson, William (September 28, 1983). "10 accordian-like buses to carry more, cost less". The Commercial Appeal. p. 50\. ProQuest 2657462828.
15. ^ Branston, John; Knott, John (August 19, 1986). "MATA plans would reshape downtown mall". The Commercial Appeal. pp. A1, A10. ProQuest 2656427614.
16. ^ Beifuss, John (July 24, 1988). "Officials study options in push for transit mall". The Commercial Appeal. pp. A1, A4. ProQuest 2656887155.
17. ^ Huston, Jerry (April 22, 1993). "Trolley rumbles to life in city". The Commercial Appeal. pp. E1, E8. ProQuest 2657077617.
18. ^ "Hybrid electric buses are worth a look". The Commercial Appeal. July 13, 2004. p. 14\. ProQuest 2658624080. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
19. ^ Charlier, Tom (September 9, 2007). "MATA adopts hybrid buses to clean up act". The Commercial Appeal. pp. B1.
20. ^ Maki, Amos (October 5, 2010). "MATA gets $7M to upgrade buses". The Commercial Appeal. pp. B5. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
21. ^ Dries, Bill (April 28, 2017). "MATA Prepares Case for $30M Increase To Fund Bus System Improvements". Memphis Daily News. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
22. ^ "Resources". Transit Vision Memphis. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
23. ^ "About". memphisinnovationcorridor.com. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
24. ^ "MATA receives $12 million grant toward Bus Rapid Transit project". actionnews5.com. November 6, 2019. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
25. ^ Brown, Jackson (August 13, 2022). "$76 million in federal funds granted to MATA for electric buses, facility improvements". ABC24 Memphis. Retrieved February 8, 2023.
26. ^ Wilt, Jacob (July 18, 2023). "The Commercial Appeal Subscription Offers, Specials, and Discounts". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
27. ^ Oates, Zaria (January 31, 2024). "MATA CEO steps down, Bacarra Mauldin named first female interim CEO". ABC24. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
28. ^ "MATA has $60M deficit, won't be able to pay back $20M loan by June". FOX13 Memphis. May 21, 2024. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
29. ^ Peterson, Joyce; Moore, Joel (June 13, 2024). "In the red—Questions about MATA's $60 million debt still remain after city council meeting". Action News 5. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
30. ^ Muckerman, Brooke; Finton, Lucas (August 27, 2024). "MATA board OKs budget with service line cuts; 241 employees to be laid off". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
31. ^ Callahan, Jody (August 28, 2024). "MATA to eliminate routes and lay off about half of staff". Daily Memphian. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
32. ^ Muckerman, Brooke. "Memphis Mayor Paul Young replaces entire MATA Board of Commissioners amid budget woes". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
33. ^ Knox, Jessica; Moore, Raven; Arthur, Shay (October 22, 2024). "New MATA board votes to pause service change, fare increase until 2025". WREG.
34. ^ Arthur, Shay (January 15, 2025). "MATA OKs contract with Transpro, gets new interim CEO". WREG.com. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
35. ^ "MATA System Map August 2023" (PDF). matatransit.com. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
36. ^ "Southern Heritage Classic - Riders Information". www.matatransit.com. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
37. ^ "MATA Transit Operating Environment" (PDF). matatransit.com. June 16, 2011.
38. ^ a b Transpro Consulting (October 11, 2024). "The Modernization of MATA - An Operational Assessment of the Memphis Area Transit Authority" (PDF). ABC24. p. 53.
39. ^ "Route 1 - Union" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 30, 2023.
40. ^ "Route 2 - Madison" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 24, 2022.
41. ^ "Route 4 - Walker" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 30, 2023.
42. ^ "Route 7 - Shelby & Holmes" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 24, 2022.
43. ^ "Route 8 - Chelsea & Highland" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 24, 2022.
44. ^ "Service Update Summary May 2022" (PDF). matatransit.com. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
45. ^ "Route 11 - Frayser" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 24, 2022.
46. ^ "Route 12 - Mallory" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 24, 2022.
47. ^ "Route 16 - Southeast Circulator" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 24, 2022.
48. ^ "Route 19 - Vollintine" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 24, 2022.
49. ^ "Route 28 - Airport" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 30, 2023.
50. ^ https://www.matatransit.com/assets/2/6/MATA_Rt_30_sched_8_2022_rev2.pdf [bare URL PDF]
51. ^ https://www.matatransit.com/assets/2/6/MATA_Rt_32_sched_4_2023.pdf [bare URL PDF]
52. ^ "Route 34 - Central & Walnut Grove" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 24, 2022.
53. ^ "Route 36 - Lamar" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 30, 2023.
54. ^ "Route 37 - Perkins" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 30, 2023.
55. ^ "Route 39 - South Third" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 30, 2023.
56. ^ "Route 40 - Stage-Lauderdale" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 18, 2023.
57. ^ "Route 42 - Crosstown" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 30, 2023.
58. ^ "Route 50 - Poplar" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 30, 2022.
59. ^ "Route 52 - Jackson" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 24, 2022.
60. ^ "Route 53 - Summer" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 30, 2022.
61. ^ "Route 57 - Park" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 24, 2022.
62. ^ "Route 69 - Winchester" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 24, 2022.
63. ^ "Madison rail line to open March 15". Memphis Business Journal. March 11, 2004. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
64. ^ "Trolleys Return to Main Street at End of April". Memphis Daily News. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
65. ^ "MATA trolleys off the tracks for expensive safety overhaul". WREG.com. June 13, 2014. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
66. ^ "Trolley Routes – Trolley | MATATransit.com". www.matatransit.com. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
67. ^ Muckerman, Brooke. "MATA suspends trolley service due to brake issues, no timeline on service restoration". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
68. ^ Castany, Tammy (August 18, 2024). "MATA suspends trolley service until further notice". ABC 24. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
69. ^ "Service Area – MATAplus | MATATransit.com". www.matatransit.com. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
70. ^ "MATAPlus - Disability Rideshare Service". www.matatransit.com. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
71. ^ "Groove On-Demand". Downtown Memphis. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
72. ^ "New on-demand public transit service Groove On-Demand launches in Memphis". Via Transportation. February 3, 2021. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
73. ^ "Groove On-demand rideshare service launching in Downtown Memphis". actionnews5.com. February 3, 2021. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
74. ^ "Ready – Ready! | MATATransit.com". www.matatransit.com. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
75. ^ "MATA to Launch Curb-to-Curb Transit Service, Ready! by MATA". localmemphis.com. July 30, 2021. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
76. ^ "MATA rolling out Ready! transportation service to Memphis neighborhoods Monday". WREG.com. August 2, 2021. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
77. ^ "MATA CEO Report" (PDF). www.matatransit.com. April 23, 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 7, 2025. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
78. ^ "MATA ending free fares, making multiple changes to current operations". www.actionnews5.com. June 11, 2020. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
79. ^ "MATA Bus Cash Fare | MATATransit.com". www.matatransit.com. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
80. ^ "MATA launches new GO901 mobile pay app". localmemphis.com. September 17, 2020. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
81. ^ "FAQs | GO901TRANSIT.com". www.go901transit.com. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
82. ^ "MATA launches new GO901 mobile pay app". localmemphis.com. September 17, 2020. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
83. ^ Finton, Lucas (August 21, 2023). "MATA launches 'Smart Card' system in bid to make public transit easier, safer in Memphis". The Commercial Appeal. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
84. ^ "Smart Riders". Go 901 Smart Riders. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
85. ^ Rosenfeld, Gary (December 19, 2023). "Board of Commissioners Agenda: Memo 23-56" (PDF). matatransit.com. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
86. ^ Steverson, William (May 4, 1981). "New Bus Barn Nears Completion". The Commercial Appeal. p. 15\. ProQuest 2656154932.
87. ^ "Parking Information - Riders Information | MATATransit.com". www.matatransit.com. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
88. ^ a b "MATA System Map-November 2021" (PDF). matatransit.com. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 26, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2022.
89. ^ "The National Transit Database (NTD)". Retrieved April 24, 2024.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Memphis Area Transit Authority.

* Official website
* Transit Vision Report (2019)
* 1979 TV story on the "Hustle Bus" at YouTube

* v
* t
* e

Memphis Area Transit Authority

Bus service|

* Routes

MATA Trolley|

* █ Main Street Line
* █ Riverfront Loop
* █ Madison Avenue Line

Facilities|

* Central Station

Historic|

* Memphis Street Railway Company

Other|

* Memphis Suspension Railway
* Delta HRA Public Transit
* Tipton, Fayette, Lauderdale and rural Shelby County

* v
* t
* e

City of Memphis and Memphis metropolitan area (counties in TN, MS and AR)

Topics|

* History
* Timeline
* Geography
* Government
* Economy
* Education
* Culture
* Tourism
* Sports
* Transportation
* Memphians

*   *   *   *   *   *   *

Districts|

* Downtown
* Midtown
* North Memphis
* South Memphis
* East Memphis

Neighborhoods|

* Belle Meade
* Berclair
* Binghampton
* Boxtown
* Capleville
* Central Gardens
* Chickasaw Gardens
* Cooper-Young
* Cordova
* Douglass
* Evergreen
* Frayser
* Glenview
* Harbor Town
* Hickory Hill
* High Point Terrace
* Hollywood
* Hyde Park
* Lenox
* Medical District
* Mud Island
* Normal Station
* Northaven
* Nutbush
* Orange Mound
* Parkway Village
* Raleigh
* Riverside
* Sherwood Forest
* South Main
* Scutterfeld
* Southwind
* Uptown
* Victorian Village
* Vollintine Hills
* Westwood
* Whitehaven
* Wolfchase

Metro area
landmarks

| Tennessee|

* A. Schwab's
* Art Museum of the University of Memphis
* Bartlett Museum
* Beale Street
* Bellevue Baptist Church
* Belz Museum
* Botanic Garden
* Brooks Museum
* Burkle Estate
* Central Station
* Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
* Chickasaw Bluff
* Children's Museum
* Chucalissa Museum
* Cotton Museum
* Davies Manor
* Dixon Gallery and Gardens
* Downtown Trolleys
* Elmwood Cemetery
* Fire Museum
* Fort Assumption
* Fort Wright
* Graceland
* Hernando de Soto Bridge
* Libertyland
* Lichterman Nature Center
* Lincoln American Tower
* Magevney House
* Mallory–Neely House
* Mason Temple
* Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park
* Memorial Park Cemetery
* Cotton Exchange
* Memphis International Airport
* National Cemetery
* Parkway System
* Railroad & Trolley Museum
* Memphis Zoo
* Mississippi River
* Mississippi River Park
* Mud Island Monorail
* National Civil Rights Museum
* National Ornamental Metal Museum
* Oaklawn Garden
* Orpheum Theatre
* Overton Park
* Peabody Hotel
* Pink Palace
* The Pyramid
* Rhodes College
* Rock N' Soul Museum
* St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
* St. Mary's Episcopal Cathedral
* Shelby Farms
* Stax Museum
* Sun Studio
* South Main Arts District
* Temple Israel
* Tennessee Brewery
* Tipton County Museum
* T. O. Fuller State Park
* Tom Lee Park
* Union Station
* University of Memphis
* Victorian Village
* Wolf River

|

Mississippi|

* Arkabutla Lake
* BankPlus Amphitheater at Snowden Grove
* DeSoto County Museum
* 1st Jackpot Casino
* Gold Strike Tunica
* Holly Springs National Forest
* Landers Center
* Horseshoe Casino
* Mississippi River
* Resorts Casino
* Sam's Town Gambling Hall
* Southaven Towne Center
* Tunica Resorts
* Snowden Grove Park
* Tanger Outlets Southaven
* Tunica Roadhouse Casino
* Wall Doxey State Park

Arkansas|

* Horseshoe Lake
* Mississippi River
* Southland Park Gaming and Racing
* Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge

Metro area
suburbs

| Tennessee|

* Arlington
* Atoka
* Bartlett
* Collierville
* Covington
* Germantown
* Lakeland
* Millington
* Munford
* Northaven
* Oakland
* Piperton
* Somerville
* Shelby Forest

|

Mississippi|

* Byhalia
* Hernando
* Holly Springs
* Horn Lake
* Olive Branch
* Senatobia
* Southaven
* Tunica
* Tunica Resorts (Robinsonville)
* Walls

Arkansas|

* Earle
* Marion
* West Memphis

Metro area
counties

| Tennessee|

* Shelby
* Fayette
* Tipton

|

Mississippi|

* DeSoto
* Marshall
* Tate
* Tunica

Arkansas|

* Crittenden

See also: Memphis, Tennessee sports venues

* v
* t
* e

Currently operating light rail and streetcar systems in the United States

| Arizona|

* Phoenix Valley Metro Rail
* A Line
* B Line
* S Line
* Tucson Sun Link

|

Arkansas|

* Little Rock Metro Streetcar
* Fort Smith Trolley

California|

* Los Angeles Metro Rail
* A, C, E, and K Lines
* Sprinter
* Sacramento RT
* San Diego Trolley
* San Francisco Muni
* Cable Cars
* E Embarcadero
* F Market & Wharves
* Muni Metro
* Santa Clara VTA

Colorado|

* Denver
* RTD light rail
* Denver Trolley
* Fort Collins Municipal Railway

District of Columbia|

* DC Streetcar

Florida|

* Tampa TECO Line Streetcar

Georgia|

* Atlanta Streetcar

Illinois|

* MetroLink (shared with Missouri)

Louisiana|

* New Orleans streetcars

Maryland|

* Baltimore Light RailLink

Massachusetts|

* Boston
* MBTA Green Line
* Mattapan Line
* Lowell Park Trolley

Michigan|

* Detroit QLine

Minnesota|

* Minneapolis-St. Paul Metro
* Blue Line
* Green Line
* Como-Harriet Streetcar
* Excelsior Streetcar
* Lake Superior Railroad Museum

| Missouri|

* KC Streetcar
* St. Louis
* Loop Trolley
* MetroLink

|

New Jersey|

* Hudson–Bergen Light Rail
* Newark Light Rail
* River Line

New York|

* Buffalo Metro Rail

North Carolina|

* Charlotte
* Lynx Blue Line
* CityLynx Gold Line

Ohio|

* Connector (Cincinnati)
* Cleveland
* RTA Blue, Green, and Waterfront Lines

Oklahoma|

* Oklahoma City Streetcar
* El Reno Heritage Express

Oregon|

* Portland
* MAX Light Rail
* Portland Streetcar
* Willamette Shore Trolley
* Astoria Riverfront Trolley

Pennsylvania|

* Philadelphia SEPTA Metro
* T, G, and D
* Pittsburgh Light Rail

Tennessee|

* Memphis MATA Trolley

Texas|

* Dallas
* DART light rail
* Dallas Streetcar
* M-Line Trolley
* El Paso Streetcar
* Houston METRORail
* Galveston Island Trolley

Utah|

* Salt Lake City
* TRAX
* S Line

Virginia|

* Norfolk The Tide

Washington|

* Seattle
* 1 Line
* 2 Line
* Seattle Streetcar
* T Line

Wisconsin|

* Milwaukee The Hop
* Kenosha Transit

Italics denote non-transit streetcar lines, operating only on limited dates and usually not year-round, for tourism or educational purposes.

Other transit in the United States:

* Rapid transit
* People mover & monorail
* Trolleybus
* Commuter rail

* v
* t
* e

Public transit in Tennessee

Statewide|

* Amtrak
* City of New Orleans
* Flixbus
* Greyhound Lines

West|

* Clarksville Transit System
* Jackson Transit Authority
* Memphis Area Transit Authority
* Main Street Line
* Riverfront Loop
* Madison Avenue Line

Central|

* Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority
* Franklin Transit Authority
* WeGo Public Transit
* WeGo Star
* Murfreesboro Rover

East|

* Bristol Tennessee Transit
* Cleveland Urban Area Transit System
* Johnson City Transit
* Kingsport Area Transit System
* Knoxville Area Transit
* Lakeway Transit

Transportation in Tennessee

* v
* t
* e

Public transit in Arkansas

Statewide|

* Amtrak
* Texas Eagle
* Flixbus
* Greyhound Lines
* Jefferson Lines
* List of intercity bus stops in Arkansas

North|

* Eureka Springs Transit
* Fort Smith Transit
* Jonesboro Economical Transit
* Memphis Area Transit Authority
* Ozark Regional Transit
* Razorback Transit

South|

* Hot Springs Intracity Transit
* Pine Bluff Transit
* Rock Region Metro
* Metro Streetcar
* Texarkana Urban Transit District

Transportation in Arkansas

* v
* t
* e

RATP Group

Europe|

* Autolinee Toscane
* RATP Smart Systems/Ixxi
* Montmartre Funicular
* Noctilien
* Orlyval
* Paris Métro
* RATP Bus
* Réseau Express Régional
* Systra (20%)
* Tramways in Île-de-France
* Valenciennes tramway

United Kingdom|

* Bath Bus Company
* Tootbus London

Africa|

* Algiers tramway
* Cairo Light Rail Transit
* Cairo Metro Line 3
* Casablanca tramway
* Constantine tramway
* Gautrain
* Oran tramway
* Ouargla tramway
* Sétif tramway
* Sidi Bel Abbès tramway

Asia|

* RATP Dev Asia
* Hong Kong Tramways
* Manila Light Rail Line 1

Middle East|

* Doha Metro
* Lusail Tram

North America|

* Arlington
* Asheville Rides Transit
* Augusta Public Transit
* Bloomington Transit
* Bowling Green
* Buncombe County
* Charlotte Area Transit System
* Citibus Lubbock
* Citylink Edmond
* City of Ocala SunTran
* The COMET
* DC Streetcar
* IndyGo
* LakeXpress
* Memphis Area Transit Authority
* Mountain Metropolitan Transit
* Needles Area Transit
* Camarillo Area Transit
* City of Lompoc Transit
* VCTC Intercity
* Santa Maria Regional Transit
* THE Bus Hernano County
* TheBus Prince George's County
* Trinity Metro
* Waco Transit System
* Yuma County Area Transit
* Zion National Park

Former operations|

* DC Circulator
* Epsom Coaches
* Quality Line
* RATP Dev Transit London
* London Sovereign
* London Transit
* London United
* Selwyns Travel
* Yellow Buses

Future operations|

* CDG Express
* Lyon Metro
* Riyadh Metro
* Twisto

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF

National|

* United States

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