Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) officials are considering changes to its fixed-route bus service this fall – including discontinuing four routes mostly in low-income areas.

Representatives with Citizens for Better Service and Memphis Bus Riders Union, two local transit service organizations, recently expressed concerns about MATA’s proposal. They believe the changes may further erode trust between bus riders and MATA leaders.

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Three of those four potential fixed-route cuts – 6 Northaven, 31 Firestone and 38 Boxtown – impact underserved, lower-income communities. The other route under consideration is 82 Germantown, which goes through the suburb bearing its name.

The MATA board will consider the proposal at its Tuesday, Sept. 28, meeting. If enacted, the changes go into effect Nov. 7. MATA received public comments on its proposal through Monday, Sept. 20.

The proposed changes mean bus riders who reside in those areas or rely on those fixed routes can expect permanent changes to their commutes. MATA CEO Gary Rosenfeld said the plan is to expand its Ready! service, a new curb-to-curb transit program, in communities losing its fixed routes.

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Rosenfeld said the Ready! service is better quality and more efficient than walking a half-mile to catch the bus and then walking another half-mile home from the bus stop with arms full of groceries.

“It just becomes a better product for people and once they experience it, they really come to appreciate it,” Rosenfeld said.

MATA launched its Ready! one-year pilot program Aug. 2 for three South Memphis communities: Boxtown, Westwood and Whitehaven. Riders can contact MATA by phone for a pick-up or drop-off ride within the Ready! designated service area.

For Boxtown, the threat of losing its fixed route is not a new concern. In a community meeting in April discussing Ready! in Boxtown, Rosenfeld said the new pilot program was meant to compliment the fixed route in Boxtown, not take its place.

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Most of the questions at that meeting came from residents concerned about the fate of its fixed route.

Johnnie Mosley, chairman of Citizens for Better Service, is one bus riders’ advocate concerned by MATA’s new direction.

“They should not be going back on their word if they want people to trust the public transportation system,” Mosley said. “Right now, the trust is already being shaken because people are being left behind at bus stops. They’re not being able to get to work on time because buses are running late or not running at all.”

Asked what’s changed since his comments five months ago, Rosenfeld cited the pandemic’s strain on MATA’s driver and mechanic shortage along with the “surprising” success of Ready!

MATA reported 3,886 passengers utilized Ready! since the service began six weeks ago. That’s a higher combined total than MATA’s six lowest-performing routes during August, according to data provided by the transit agency.

The four routes up for discontinuation are among the six lowest-utilized fixed routes.

“When we see the community has accepted this program as much as they have and still has capacity to grow, it makes sense to move in that direction,” Rosenfeld said of Ready!.

Another concern shared by Mosley and Sammie Hunter of Memphis Bus Riders Union is whether Ready! is part of MATA’s long-term transit plan. A $400,000 Federal Transit Administration grant made the program possible this year, but that does not guarantee future years, both pointed out.

“People depend on MATA,” Hunter said of the proposed changes, noting MATA is “the only bus company here in the city of Memphis.”

“To do your passengers that keeping you in a job like that, I think it’s absurd.”

Rosenfeld concedes it’s hard to predict future transit funding. If Ready! continues to exceed expectations, even if MATA endured a tougher financial year, they would work to preserve the program.

While Mosley expects the proposal to pass, he emphasizes MATA could have done more to increase ridership on its fixed routes before proposing the cuts.

“The hard work is to improve the frequencies in those low-income, underserved neighborhoods, but MATA doesn’t want to do the hard work,” he said. “It’s very easy to eliminate routes and say we’re going to get rid of the problem.”

MATA’s Sept. 28 meeting begins at 3:30 p.m. and is virtual only. For those interested in watching, visit matatransit.com to receive login instructions.