The city’s transit authority is making a push to increase ridership and improve its transit system.
The Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) is offering free riders on all its services for the next 90 days, reports Jack Armstrong in Memphis Commercial-Appeal. “The program, which includes all fixed-route bus, trolley, and MATAplus services, is intended to contribute to a stronger, more dependable transit system, said MATA interim CEO Rodrick Holmes at a Nov. 17 event to mark the launch of the program.”
The effort is part of a broader push to improve the city’s transit system by replacing aging stock and revising routes to improve ride times and efficiency. “The authority announced the pilot on Nov. 3, and said it was designed to ‘evaluate how fare free service could strengthen community connections, increase ridership, and enhance equity across the city.’”
Memphis Mayor Paul Young said MATA earns roughly $2 mllion per year from fares, “not a sizable amount” that will be easily replaceable “once we get the system moving.”
FULL STORY: MATA kicks off ‘zero fare’ program, all Memphis public transit free for 90 days