Better Transit for a Better Memphis

08/05/2026

West Memphis stepping up to start rebuilding transit!👏👏👏

Public transportation returned to West Memphis today. The West Memphis Connect Public Transit System is the city’s new way to get people who don’t have transportation around the city. It’s been several years since any public transit navigated West Memphis streets. https://fox13.tv/4xoI1Xh

07/15/2026

Today, we’re meeting with MATA to discuss:

🚏 INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATES
• • Bus orders
• • Bus stops
• • Bus signage

🔥 SUMMER SAFETY
• • How are we managing the heat beyond the buses and the 3 transit centers?
• • How far apart are covered bus stops to protect riders from summer heat, winter ice, and rain?
• • How will MATA work to communicate delays, esp. during this heat?
• • Update on rides to Cooling Center at Hospitality Hub

💲 BUDGET 2026-27
• • Highlights for the next year. What’s new?

🤝 DRIVER PROFESSIONALISM & RESPECT
• • Slur used against rider during recent trip. What is MATA doing to prevent this?

🗳️ ELECTION PREPARATION
• • How does MATA plan to provide polling place service during Aug. and Nov. elections despite a shortage of buses and bus operators?
• • Will MATA promote early voting locations and times within the buses?

07/13/2026

At yesterday’s MICAH candidate forum, Better Transit for a Better Memphis told our political candidates to Get on the Bus for Public Transit!

Thank you to everybody who joined us to demand that Shelby County politicians support public transit, housing, transformational justice, and immigrant rights. Thank you to our participating candidates for Shelby County Mayor, Sheriff, County Commission, and Board of Education.

Candidates’ full-text responses to questions will be shared later this week by MICAH - Memphis Interfaith Coalition for Action and Hope (and on this page). Thank you to New Direction Christian Church for hosting and to everyone who joined us in raising these vital issues!

06/30/2026

⚠️⚠️⚠️ The BUILD America 250 Act is an EXISTENTIAL threat to the future of public transit. It would jeopardize federal funding by taking it out of public transit and allowing Tennessee to spend it on unrelated projects.

Action News 5 reports:
“Given the state’s attitude of Memphis, we believe the funding will go to rural, red counties far east of Memphis for bridge and road repair,” said Leo Arnoult, past chair of Better Transit for a Better Memphis. “This plan is coming from the Build America 250 Act, now being developed by Congress and coming up for passage when Congress reconvenes from its break.”

The group is urging the city council and the county commission to formally oppose that federal bill.

An advocacy group that pushes for better public transportation in Memphis is calling out city leaders over the recently approved FY2027 budget.

06/30/2026

One of the organizers, Dorothy Conner, said she can remember when there were more buses serving the city. They ran from about 5 a.m. to 11:15 p.m., covering far more routes than the 24 established now. ...

Allison Donald, another BTBM who walks with a pair of canes, said Monday’s press conference was about more than a single budget decision.

“We’ve continued to elevate the voices of people who depend on transit every day,” Donald said.

~ The Daily Memphian

The declining Memphis transit system received more than $30 million in funding in the city’s recently approved budget. That’s more than it got last year. But MATA supporters say it’s not enough. 

02/13/2026

On Transit Equity Day 2026, we shared these local bus riders' message: We are ! These are a few of the 40,000 people who ride public transit in the Memphis area every day. Please watch and amplify their stories.