Memphis Area Transit Authority held their first listening session Thursday on proposed service changes, which would start December 2016. MATA officials said the changes would improve service and productivity, and are the result of an estimated $500,000 increase in funding.
The meetings are chance for people who count on the buses to share their thoughts on what MATA officials should do with all that money.
“We do this twice a year and this year. We got a little additional funding, about $500,000, so we’re able to add some new routes and of course we’re restructuring some of our existing routes,” said John Lancaster, director of planning and scheduling for MATA.
The proposed changes include adding 8 new routes, minor time changes for 11 routes, increase frequency for 10 routes, adjustments to 14 routes, and cutting one route, which would have replacement service by others.
One by one, some of MATA’s customers expressed their concerns about the changes.
“You changing every 6 months. You’re changing these routes and it’s not good for the citizens of Memphis. They have to learn routes over and over again, It’s not good,” said Sammie Hunter, a bus rider and co-chair for the Memphis Bus Riders Union.
“There are some that are causing you to want to do a little more walking. Right now, I’m studying it,” said rider Gilda Williams, who relies on the bus to get around because of a neurological disorder.
Transit leaders said the input is important, and the more people who speak up can make a difference in MATA’s decisions.
“It can have a lot of weight. Back when we’ve had some tough budgetary times, we proposed cutting more routes. Some of those routes were saved,” Lancaster said.
The next public meeting will by Tuesday, August 30 at the Central Station on South Main Street from 5 to 7 p.m.
