MATA CEO: ‘We are listening’ to customers
Let’s talk about the 31 Crosstown.
Memphis Area Transit Authority is aware of an effort to reinstate service on the 31 Crosstown route. We’ve heard about this at our recent listening sessions, read about it in the news and on social media pages, and become aware of a petition that is circulating.
As chief executive officer at MATA, we want the Memphis community to understand we are listening and absolutely paying attention.
Unfortunately, there has been some misinformation associated with the decision to eliminate Route 31, alleging it caused area school closings among other things. Nothing could be further from the truth. There is no question all citizens deserve fair and equal access to public transportation.
So, let’s take a moment to discuss the facts.
When the decision was made to eliminate Route 31 and provide other routes that served the same communities, there was an ongoing dialogue even well after the decision was made. Countless meetings — including MATA-hosted community and one-onone discussions — were held with members of the Memphis City Council and community groups. MATA even consulted with Nelson\Nygaard Consulting Associates, an internationally recognized transportation planning firm.
This decision was not made in a vacuum.
The analysis showed MATA could reduce costs by eliminating duplication of bus route services on Routes 10, 31 and 43. Data collected at the time indicated MATA customers living in Frayser, New Chicago, Riverview-Kansas, and Whitehaven would still be well served by creating Route 42.
Fast forward to today and MATA still serves those communities with Route 42 and six other routes: Route 8 Chelsea, Route 11 Thomas, Route 12 Florida, Route 17 McLemore, Route 19 Vollintine and Route 57 Park.
Limited resources have required MATA to make tough decisions that have caused a significant loss in ridership.
Cuts in bus service and the loss of service on the steel-wheeled trolleys over the last few years is one reason but, generally, the decline in ridership is due to the unfortunate result of not having adequate or consistent dedicated funding and not being able to plan successfully for the future.
Repeated cuts had to be made in order for MATA to operate. Instead of eliminating service altogether to certain neighborhoods, we created alternative solutions or reduced the number of times we picked up customers. MATA employees worked hard to figure out how to still serve this community even when faced with such harsh financial realities.
Along with making such bare-knuckled tough decisions came another unfortunate consequence. Our relationship with our most valued stakeholders — our customers — has suffered.
Today, MATA is working toward a brighter future.
We’re receiving more funding from our local, state and federal partners to purchase new buses so we can retire older ones.
We’re adding about $500,000 in bus service improvements to routes that will be implemented in December.
We’re working diligently to bring back the steelwheeled trolleys that have become both a local and national treasure.
And yes, we’re more engaged and listening to our customers and community partners. MATA is moving forward with a new paradigm of improving service and the ridership experience for all of our customers.