Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Buses

Tourists Keep Their Trolleys While Memphis Bus Riders Face Devastating Cuts

Memphis bus riders protest potential service cuts. Photo: Memphis Bus Riders' Union
Memphis bus riders protest potential service cuts. Photo: Memphis Bus Riders' Union
Memphis bus riders protest potential service cuts. Photo: Memphis Bus Riders' Union

Memphis's transit system is in crisis.

For a long time, the Memphis Area Transit Authority redirected funds intended for repairing buses and trolleys to instead pay drivers and buy gas. Now the jig is up. A handful of buses as well as two of the city's historic trolleys have actually caught fire in recent years.

According to MATA CEO Ron Garrison, the system is "on the verge of collapse."

Memphis' historic trolleys shut down two years ago after a number of fires. But lawmakers are working on a fix. Photo: Wikipedia
Memphis officials quickly came to the rescue of the city's historic trolleys, but haven't leapt to defend regular bus service. Photo: Wikipedia
Memphis' historic trolleys shut down two years ago after a number of fires. But lawmakers are working on a fix. Photo: Wikipedia

The city's historic trolleys -- which mainly serve tourists in the downtown area -- were shut down two years ago after those fires. What followed was an all-hands-on-deck effort to restore trolley service, which is a "prize possession" of downtown developers, says Bennett Foster of the Memphis Bus Riders Union. Political leaders quickly pieced together $32 million in local, state, and federal funding to restore trolley service. Two replacement trolleys have been purchased.

But will local leaders come through for the people who rely on bus service to get to work and go about their day?

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland says that without an additional $7 million a year in operating funds from the city, plus $5 million to repair 11 buses, major cuts are coming. At the same time, the city is dealing with a number of other budget pressures, including as much as $10 million in additional annual spending for police pensions. Ultimately, the decision rests with City Council in upcoming budget negotiations.

If MATA's budget gap isn't closed, the agency will cut service 17 percent -- a devastating possibility for the riders who depend on it. People make about 30,000 daily trips on Memphis's transit system, which doesn't have much fat to be trimmed.

For those passengers, the bus is essential. According to a survey by the Bus Riders Union, 60 percent of riders make less than $18,000 a year, and almost all of them lack access to a car. The vast majority -- 90 percent -- are black.

The city's political class, however, doesn't seem too eager to address Memphis's transit problems, say Bus Riders Union members. "The City has its focus on downtown and gentrification to attract certain people, but what about those who need transportation to get to jobs or the grocery store?" said MBRU co-chair Cynthia Bailey in a statement. "Tourists come and go. What about the people who keep this city moving?"

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Friday Video: The London Neighborhood Where Bikes Outnumber Cars

...and how they got to that impressive milestone.

July 11, 2025

Friday’s Headlines Battle Galactus

Like the Marvel supervillain, U.S. interstate highway system seems to eat up everything in his path. A new book explores how to stop it.

July 11, 2025

New Report Shows Pedestrian Fatalities Drop — But Experts Say Not Enough

The Governors Highway Safety Association report showed a 4 percent drop in the number of pedestrian deaths last year, putting a slow on a dangerous trend — but advocates say the drop isn't nearly big enough.

July 11, 2025

Talking Headways Podcast: Localities Subsidize the State DOT

Adie Tomer of Brookings on how to improve regional coordination around infrastructure.

July 10, 2025

Five of the Ugliest Transportation Policies In the ‘Big, Beautiful’ Bill

Here's a rundown of some of the transportation provisions in the Republicans' reconciliation package, and what they might mean for your community.

July 10, 2025

Viva La Thursday’s Headlines

Why is French transit ridership up 10 percent since before the pandemic, while American transit ridership is down 23 percent?

July 10, 2025
See all posts