MEMPHIS, Tenn — The Memphis Area Transit Authority has a list of problems it’s working to fix, and now the authority has a new face. Interim CEO Bacarra Mauldin is stepping in after the former CEO Gary Rosenfeld stepped down on Wednesday.
The leadership change follows years of reliability issues and months of back and forth in meetings over cutting bus routes.
Former Deputy CEO Bacarra Mauldin is the first woman to ever hold the Interim CEO title. However, MATA riders are less concerned about the leadership change and more concerned about positive change for buses.
“I really am just looking forward to just working with the community in a historic way to create historic change in our transit system,” Mauldin said.
Former Deputy CEO Bacarra Mauldin may be the first woman to ever hold the interim CEO title.
After eight years with MATA, Gary Rosenfeld stepped down as CEO on Wednesday. However, MATA riders are less concerned about the leadership change and more concerned about positive change for buses. The title change for Mauldin comes as tensions are high between MATA and the community.
“Why are these buses not on time?” MATA rider Cynthia Bailey said. “Not only they’re not on time now, it’s everyday almost.”
However, Mauldin isn’t quite ready for these questions.
“We’re going to come back with a full plan, so I’m not really ready to address those kinds of questions right now,” Mauldin said. “I’m just really excited to even have the opportunity to serve.”
Mauldin only found out about her change in position on Tuesday, just 24 hours before the board voted her in. Whether or not she is ready to answer questions about improving the service, riders want answers as soon as possible.
“People are being late for work, losing jobs, missing medical appointments, they need to go to grocery stores,” rider Dorothy Conner said.
Riders and advocates who don’t ride the bus stress the economic impact of unreliable transportation.
“We need transit to get workers to and from our jobs. It’s vitally important as an economic development issue,” rider Leo Arnoult said.
Many advocates are only opting out of the transit system because of reliability.
“I would ride the bus if it were available on a consistent, regular, accessible basis,” rider advocate Rosalyn Nichols said.
It looks to be an uphill battle for the Interim CEO. However, Mauldin said once she has time to speak with employees and the community about their concerns, she’ll have a better idea of her plans as Interim CEO.