MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Amid all of the shocking national news of late, it might have been easy to let a significant local development go unnoticed. But this is big news: the Shelby County commission has formally agreed to provide continuing funding for the first time to the Memphis Area Transit Authority.
Commissioners figured out a way to provide the funding without adding more burden to county taxpayers. The money will come from expiring payments in lieu of taxes, also known as PILOTS. The fund will start off modestly at just shy of $500,000 but is expected to grow to more than $15 million by 2031. Coupled with expiring PILOT money from the city of Memphis, and MATA is poised to get additional ongoing funding that will reach $30 million annually.
This money will allow MATA to overhaul its operation to better meet the needs of local residents. Far too many people in our community can’t get or keep meaningful employment because they don’t have reliable transportation. And the transit system has been of little help. But with better service, more frequent service, and more direct service to more places, more lower-income citizens will be gainfully employed.
A majority of commissioners understood that and voted 9 to 2 to provide the funding. Suburban Republican commissioners Amber Mills and Mick Wright voted no, which of course is their right. But they are on the wrong side of this issue.
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