The Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) will be accepting public feedback on its new proposed route changes through midnight on Friday, Oct. 20.
At a public meeting on Thursday, MATA officials presented 16 route alterations, along with the elimination of 44 Goodlett Ikea Way which serves the Ikea store in Cordova.
Proposed route changes include extending the 45 Appling Farms route from Stage to Dexter on Germantown in both directions in order to take over areas once served by Goodlett Ikea Way.
MATA officials also propose to temporarily suspend a route that serves Shelby Farms until the spring, while eliminating one evening trip and adding two additional ones to the 34 Walnut Grove route.
Justin Davis of the Memphis Bus Riders’ Union said MATA officials should reconsider the sustainability of prioritizing new routes that go further east. He adds that the priority should be shifted to increasing services in low-income and majority-African American areas.
“As the city is preparing a comprehensive plan for transit in the future, we want to be sure that people are talking about these systematic issues,” Davis said, referencing the joint effort of the city, Innovate Memphis, and MATA to create the Memphis 3.0 transit vision plan, slated to be drafted by early 2018.
The remaining 14 routes will have modified trip times to improve on-time performance and connectivity. Some of those routes to be adjusted include the 64 Airport Shuttle, 42 Crosstown, and 56 Lamar.
None of the proposed changes will affect bus fare.
The MATA Board of Commissioners is set to vote on the proposed changes at their next meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 31.
If approved, the changes will take effect on Sunday, Dec. 10.
