MATA REBUILDING TRANSIT FOR MEMPHIS

 

Public trust is not rebuilt through promises. It is rebuilt through results.

 

Since the establishment of the trusteeship, MATA has been focused on making measurable improvements that strengthen service today while positioning the agency for long-term success. We are sharing this fact sheet to provide a clear look at the progress made so far and the work underway to build a stronger transit system for Memphis.

 

From securing federal funding and modernizing the fleet to expanding the workforce and improving reliability, MATA is making meaningful progress across the organization.

 

The results highlighted here reflect the work completed so far, but they also underscore the work that remains. MATA is moving in the right direction, and we remain focused on building a safer, more reliable, and more sustainable transit system for Memphis.

 

30 Million Federal Grants Secured	24 New Fixed Route Buses Funded	33 Operators Hired Since March	86% Operator Positions Filled
1.5M Zero Fare Trips	$2.5M Returned to the Local Economy	71% Peak On-Time Performance	196 Safety Checks Conducted

 

WHAT THE DATA SHOWS

 

Fleet Modernization

The Challenge

 

Today, 40% of MATA's fixed-route fleet has more than 500,000 miles. 70 buses are more than a decade old, highlighting the scale of the maintenance challenge facing the agency.

 

The Progress

· $30 million in federal grant funding secured for fleet modernization

· 12 new fixed-route buses entering service this summer

· 12 additional fixed-route buses already on order

· 15 new paratransit vehicles placed into service

· 24 additional paratransit vans in procurement planning

 

Workforce Development

 

Reliable transit starts with having enough operators behind the wheel.

 

The Progress

· 33 new operators hired since March through weekly hiring blitzes

· Applicants can now interview on the spot at MATA's Levee Road headquarters

· 86% of MATA's bus operator positions are now filled

 

Reliability Improvements

 

Improving reliability remains MATA's top operational priority.

 

The Progress

· Through improved maintenance, buses now average 10,000 miles between service interruptions, up from approximately 6,000 miles

· Peak on-time performance reached a high of 71%, demonstrating measurable operational improvement

 

Safety & Security

 

The Progress

· 196 safety checks conducted on heavily traveled routes and transit centers since May

· Enhanced security presence focused on rider confidence and system safety

 

Improving the Rider Experience

 

The Progress

· 15 new bus shelters installed throughout the system

· 120 new bus stop signs installed

· New ADA-compliant bus stop signs currently being developed with clearer route and location information

 

Zero Fare Impact

 

The Zero Fare pilot has provided meaningful economic relief for Memphis residents while increasing access to opportunity.

 

The Progress

· More than 1.5 million passenger trips taken during the pilot so far

· Nearly $2.5 million returned to the local economy through rider savings

· Expanded access to jobs, education, healthcare, and essential services

 

Restoring Financial Stability

 

Since implementation of the trusteeship:

 

The Progress

· More than $12 million in obligations paid and reconciled to support maintenance, fleet availability, fuel, insurance, technology, operations, and critical vendor relationships

· Structured budget review process implemented to improve transparency, accountability, and oversight

· More than 22 federal and state grants reviewed, reconciled, and brought into compliance

· Five state grants totaling approximately $2 million successfully reconciled, accelerating reimbursements and improving cash flow

· Approximately $400,000 in advertising-related revenue and receivables recovered

 

Strengthening Compliance & Accountability

 

Significant progress has been made in restoring compliance and strengthening organizational oversight.

 

The Progress

· Federal funding activity that stalled in 2025 resumed following corrective actions undertaken during the trusteeship

· Renewed federal allocations began in February 2026

· Critical reviews and audits are actively progressing, including:

• National Transit Database (NTD) • Federal Management Oversight (FMO)

• FTA Triennial Review • Tennessee Department of Transportation oversight reviews • Annual Comprehensive Financial Audit

    · Procurement leadership, controls, and processes strengthened to improve accountability, compliance, transparency, and project execution

 

THE BOTTOM LINE

The work is not finished. The agency continues to face significant challenges, including an aging fleet, reliability concerns, and years of deferred investment.

 

But the data shows measurable progress. Under Interim CEO Rodrick Holmes and the oversight of the trusteeship, MATA is rebuilding its foundation, restoring accountability, modernizing its operations, and positioning the agency for long-term success.

 

Follow our progress at matatransit.com/progress.