Some riders say MATA needs more than new buses. They want reliable transportation.
MATA unveiled eight of 12 new buses on Sept. 2. Agency officials remain hopeful, as do critics — but the latter still have many questions about reliable service.
Topic: MATA
RSSThere are 137 article(s) tagged MATA:
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September 2026
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MATA unveils new buses
MATA unveiled eight of 12 new buses delivered to Memphis in recent weeks, part of an overall investment to bring more than 50 new buses to an aging fleet by next year.
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August 2026
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Trolleys coming back Downtown this fall
MATA plans to resume trolley service Downtown in the fall with four trolleys, according to the trustee of the city-owned bus system. Plus, an update on the city’s recently revamped Group Violence Intervention Program from City Council coverage.
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June 2026
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More funding needed for MATA, transit advocates say
The declining Memphis transit system received more than $30 million in funding in the city’s recently approved budget. That’s more than it got last year. But MATA supporters say it’s not enough.
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Opinion: As bus riders suffer, Memphis needs to turn MATA around
“Last year’s audit made people believe MATA cannot be redeemed. But it is imperative that we not give up. Memphis should be a world-class city. Quality transit attracts employers and gets people to work on time. It also keeps people from going into debt just to maintain a working vehicle.”
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May 2026
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Former MATA CEO files wrongful termination lawsuit
Bacarra Mauldin is alleging “wrongful termination, unpaid wages and tortious interference,” according to the case docket in Shelby County Chancery Court.
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April 2026
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How Memphis plans to spend $100 million in state money on Beale Street
John Zeanah said an interesting phrase as he stood outside FedExForum during a City Council bus tour — he called the area the “arena district.”
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March 2026
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MATA trustee Rodrick Holmes wants it all for Memphis riders: Stability, free fares, trolleys and more
“I feel like we are on the right track — kind of pun intended — to stabilize, improve the service and then grow,” MATA Trustee Rodrick Holmes told The Daily Memphian.
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February 2026
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MATA riders’ pleas for better service met with piecemeal progress
On Transit Equity Day, more than 60 MATA riders and others gathered in Orange Mound to express their frustrations and hopes for a better public transportation system in Memphis.
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December 2025
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The need-to-know for the St. Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend
The St. Jude Memphis Marathon comes with road closures, new parking measures and safety plans that will impact more than 25 neighborhoods Downtown.
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November 2025
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MATA’s 90-day zero fare pilot program is set to begin
The pilot makes it so no passes, fare cards or payments are required on all fixed-route buses, trolleys and MATAplus services.
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Opinion: Memphis once again finds itself at a crossroads. Let’s make sure a MATA bus is there to give us a lift.
“Would 79% of Shelby County households who believe in MATA support an investment of $2 and change a month to fund public transit? Especially if it means they would be able to ride the bus, microtransit and trolley all fare-free?
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September 2025
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Opinion: MATA is fixable — and other lessons I learned on the MATA board
“If we want our city to thrive, we need a strong transit system. It effects all of us who want our packages delivered, our children to learn, our construction projects completed, our coffee to be made, and so much more.”
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August 2025
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MATA officials overstepped authority with CEO search, City Council attorney says
A few days ago, Memphis Area Transit Authority officials announced they would introduce two CEO finalists at a public meeting. That meeting was abruptly canceled with little explanation.
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MATA proposes hope for Downtown trolleys but says it needs more money to run them
MATA does not have enough money to operate the trolleys even as it works to ready vehicles for a potential return.
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July 2025
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Trips, Grizz sponsorships and a $1.2M office design: MATA audit reveals bus system spending
The report details further expenditures from the embattled bus system that raised questions with auditors about how taxpayer money for bus-riders was being spent.
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Opinion: ‘Death spiral will continue for public transit’
“There is time for all Memphians of good will to ask their council representatives to properly fund MATA for daily riders, the businesses that employ them and the good of the entire city.”
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May 2025
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Memphis mayor, council clash over ‘poor budgeting’
New budget proposal relies on rosy projections, cutting MATA funding in half and extending ongoing hiring freeze.
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Former MATA CEO: Travel was necessary for fleet upgrades
As MATA tried to meet a state mandate for an electric fleet, Gary Rosenfeld said it was more expedient and less costly to visit overseas manufacturers rather than ship equipment back and forth for testing.
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April 2025
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Memphis City Council to dig more into fake MATA routes
At its Tuesday, March 18, session, the City Council also takes first votes on the Cleveland Street redevelopment plan and a $300 a year blight fee on owners of abandoned and vacant properties.
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March 2025
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MATA fires embattled former interim CEO
MATA’s Bacarra Mauldin has been fired, three weeks after she was placed on administrative leave following the discovery of questionable charges on her company credit card.
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Conaway: If we don’t do Memphis over, others will, and soon
“We have to get our act together. The city and county mayors need to sit down together for a cup of coffee. Strong coffee. A pot of it.”
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Interim CEO: MATA lied about missing bus routes for nearly a year
In all, nearly one-third of MATA buses weren’t showing up where or when they were scheduled to.
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MATA employee placed on leave after questionable credit card charges
Purchases included about $5,000 in PayPal and Venmo money transfer transactions, $10,000 in Amazon purchases, $7,000 at Best Buy, more than $1,000 at Montblanc, a maker of fine pens, and money on massages.
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January 2025
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Facing cash crunch, MATA wants Mayor Young to follow through on promise of more money
MATA’s interim chief financial officer urged Memphis Mayor Paul Young to find more funding for the bus system before it runs out of cash next month.
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