MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) is getting a fresh start after Memphis Mayor Paul Young fired the entire transit board on Friday, Oct. 11.
The transit company has become the center of controversy in the last year due to the deficit of more than $60 million. MATA in the last two months have also cut bus routes and have laid off trolley operators and additional staff.
Mayor Young replaced all nine MATA board members after months of heavy scrutiny.
A company called Transpro discovered in an assessment of MATA that the bus service is less efficient and more expensive to operate compared to peers. Also in their findings, Transpro uncovered MATA's customer satisfaction has declined 49% since 2018.
Based on their report, Transpro recommends MATA focus on improving operational performance for its customers.
Sandra Scott lost her job nearly two months ago. She told ABC24 she has struggled to get by, but believes the MATA board being replaced could be the answer to getting her job back.
"We're hopeful that this clean slate will get out some of the ups and downs, stuff that MATA been having with the payroll and we get a new slate and find out where we stand and we can start from there," Scott said.
Scott worked at MATA for nearly seven years, putting smiles on the faces of customers as a former trolley operator. She said although there is optimism she'll get a call back for her job, life has been very difficult. Scott told ABC24 she has been in survival mode not receiving a paycheck, taking care of her family, and needing medical insurance for items such as her medications.
"I kinda had a little breakdown about three nights ago because I want to move forward but at the same time I have hope for the trolley, and every time I try to push forward I think hope it's hope that I might get called back," she said.
ATU Local 713 president, Harrison Currie said he's looking forward to working with MATA's new board. However, he said there are issues that need to be resolved. "We're gonna ask those tough questions and we're going to do what we need to do to get this transit back to work," Currie said.
Currie told ABC24 the previous MATA board was not transparent and lacked communication throughout the year. He believes things will be different with new leadership.
"If they would've gotten on top of this sooner, we would've probably seen a change without any layoffs," Currie said. "We never did get a lot of the answers that we were asking for, so when you don't get the answers that you're asking for, man that's a nervous time."
MATA Interim CEO, Bacarra Mauldin sent a statement to ABC24 in response to Mayor Young's move to remove the previous board:
"We have been collaboratively working with Mayor Paul Young, city leaders, and Transpro to determine the best path forward in support of riders. We, too, recognize the decades-long challenges the organization has faced and agree with the key recommendations made in the report, namely, to increase the number of buses on the roadway for increased bus frequency and reliability.
We are confident in Mayor Young's vision and leadership and will do everything possible to execute the strategies outlined with excellence and improve public transportation services for our community"