The Memphis Area Transit Authority’s (MATA) current administration may be replaced by consultants from the transportation consulting agency, TransPro.
The news comes after the agency’s new board of commissioners voted 5-4 during yesterday’s board meeting for the MATA board to continue to work with the city and TransPro on a contract initiating the change.
As proposed, TransPro employees would take over as interim CEO (John Lewis), interim COO (Steve Hamelin) and interim CFO (Aaron Headley). TransPro said this would be to “enhance the reliability, timeliness, and customer satisfaction of mobility services offered by MATA.
TransPro was originally hired by Mayor Paul Young to audit the transportation agency as it faced financial struggles and performance issues. The consulting firm highlighted these changes in a draft report which ultimately led to Young replacing the former board of commissioners with the existing board.
The resolution indicated that TransPro submitted their “Phase 2 Proposal” to the City of Memphis which outlines a “comprehensive plan” for MATA addressing accountability, service quality, safety, and operational efficiency. This includes reviewing current bus routes, schedules, ridership, and more.
TransPro’s oversight will last for eight months and will cost the city $1,298,023, and will be paid in “non-federal funds.” The bulk of the costs stem from labor, totaling $1,018,989. The firm promises their oversight will be beneficial to MATA in many ways including accountability and financial compliance and management.
While the resolution passed, several board members voiced their concern as they said there were still details that needed to be cleared up.
Prior to the vote, board member Jackson McNeil said he was hesitant to engage in discussion, as it seemed as if an interim “part-time CEO” would be making $400,000.
“I think because of the importance of the work that needs to be done, I think we need to make sure we as a board are accepting or considering a proposal that includes full-time leadership of the agency.
Board chair Emily Greer said this was part of the negotiation.
Commissioner Cynthia Bailey said the board hadn’t been involved in discussions regarding the contract and commented on the ambiguity regarding interim leadership and how the transition would work.
“We have to think on this very toughly,” Bailey said. “We have to listen to the community. I’m going back on things that Mr. John Lewis was saying so bad about MATA — yet you want to be a part of that team to work with him.”
It was later clarified that two people would not serve in a role simultaneously, and if approved, interim CEO Bacarra Mauldin would serve in her previous role, deputy CEO. At the end of the eight months, TransPro would leave and the board would determine who the agency’s next CEO would be.
While the motion passed, the board decided to form a committee that would work through details that needed clarification and bring them back to the board.
Towards the end of the meeting, Mauldin said she has been able to advocate for better transit on multiple levels, and is now being asked to support TransPro in rebuilding MATA.
“If that’s where the mayor and the board feel like my talents are best utilized in Memphis, then that’s where I’ll serve,” Mauldin said. “I’m fully in support of the mayor’s vision. I’m supportive of this board and what you all decide to do.”
