As the public transportation provider for the Memphis region, MATA believes in the importance of being proactive in considering transportation options for the future. Among the options being considered is regional light rail. Light rail has been a popular and successful addition to many transit systems in the United States over the past 30 years. It provides an exciting opportunity in Memphis to offer an attractive alternative to the automobile that can enhance mobility, promote economic development, and improve quality of life.
MATA has been engaged in planning for a regional rail transit system since the early 1990s. The most comprehensive effort began in 2000 with a three phase planning process that is continuing up to the present time. The three phase planning process has evolved as follows:
Phase 1 - Select one top priority corridor from among the three corridors in the MATA Long Range Transit Plan.
Phase 2 - Evaluate a "long list" of routing alignments and technologies for the top priority corridor and narrow the list down to a manageable number for detailed analysis.
Phase 3 - Prepare more detailed analysis on the "short list" of alignments including screening of environmental impacts.
In conjunction with this effort, MATA convened a broad-based Regional Rail Steering Committee (RRSC) to advise on matters related to rail. Shortly after the RRSC was established, MATA hired Parsons Brinckerhoff, a nationally known rail transit consultant, to prepare the required technical studies.
Phase 1 concluded with the RRSC recommending and the MATA Board approving the Southeast Corridor with a connection to the Airport as the first choice for implementation. The analysis since that time has focused exclusively on the portion of the corridor connecting downtown, the airport and points in between. The corridor is remains the top priority and former names are being considered. Other portions of the Southeast Corridor as well as the South Corridor and North Corridor remain part of MATA's Long Range Transit Plan and will be evaluated at a later time.
In Phase 2 a number of routing alignments in the Downtown-Airport Corridor were reviewed and narrowed to four. Also, various transit technology alternatives were considered and light rail was chosen as the most appropriate technology for the corridor.
Phase 3 has included more detailed analysis of the remaining routing alignments, including an assessment of environmental impacts. Coordination with MATA's federal partner, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), has also been an integral part of this phase. Discussions are on-going with FTA about certain aspects of the computer model that is used to forecast ridership. Due to these on-going discussions, FTA has not reviewed the documents that will comprise the Phase 3 report. Therefore, the information provided here consists of "draft" working papers subject to further revision before they become final.
At the present time, the remaining alternatives being evaluated in Phase 3 are:
- Build Alternative 2 - construct a light rail line along or adjacent to Pauline St., Lamar Ave., Airways Blvd., and Plough Blvd. between Madison Ave. and the Airport
- Transportation Systems Management Alternative - improvements to existing bus service in the corridor
- No Build Alternative - no changes to existing transit services in the corridor
You can review a variety of information about the Regional Rail Program by clicking one of the following
- Regional Rail Program Studies
MATA Board of Commissioners Resolutions
Other Information