SHELBY COUNTY, Tenn. — Key MATA stakeholders held an emergency meeting on Friday at Union Valley Baptist Church to rally around the many bus riders and drivers affected by the ongoing budget crisis at the transit provider.
The number of layoffs at MATA has been significantly reduced this week, from more than 200 cuts to a little over 50.
Despite that, the community of people who depend on MATA every day are still making their voice heard that any cuts to jobs or routes are too many, and they’re pushing for further reductions.
“The fact of the matter is we’re not just talking about bus riders, we’re talking about taxpayers in this city. People forget that. We’re talking about young people trying to make something of their lives going to school, going to college,” said Johnnie Mosley, founder of activist group Citizens for Better Service.
The transit provider’s new budget will also cut the number of daily routes from 23 to 16 in order to solve a $67 million deficit.
The layoffs and changes are expected to go into effect in early November. The transportation authority also confirmed they have laid off 17 trolley operators due to the stand down of the trolley system over maintenance issues.
“We do not need this. We need a good transportation system here in the city of Memphis. A city of this magnitude needs a good transportation system,” said Sammie Hunter, co-chair of the Memphis Bus Riders Union.
The group plans to attend next week’s city council meeting to plead with city leaders directly.