This week was marked with a big win for bus riders as Shelia Williams, Co-Chair and founding member of the Memphis Bus Riders Union was appointed to the MATA Board of Commissioners.
MBRU members and supporters attended the appointment at City Hall on Tuesday. Williams will be the only transit dependent person on the 9 member board, which has the authority to oversee policy, service cuts, contracts and other actions taken by MATA’s administration.
Another shot in the arm for MATA this week was a last minute amendment by County Commissioner Steve Mulroy to add $70,000 in funding for service to Shelby Farms Park on weekends. This funding will essentially expand service for the 53 Summer route, which was heavily used by Southwest Community College (Macon Campus) students and faculty before massive budget cuts in 2013 caused a reduction in service. Now there is a real opportunity for much needed support from ever-sprawling suburban municipalities in the future.
Also on Monday, the MATA board voted to drop Pro-Tech, the security company at the North End Terminal, amid complaints of excessive force and harassment from riders. MBRU is now pushing for a review process by which the MATA Board can develop criteria for the new security company, including less intimidating uniforms, conduct, and sensitivity and non-violent communication and civil rights training.
Please join us at our next monthly meeting to celebrate the progress we’ve made this year.
Saturday Jun 14
12-2PM at the Memphis Center For Independent Living
1633 Madison Ave.
And check out this article about the MATA Board appointment!