December 2022-January-2023 - 14

[
OPINION
]
A Historic Federal Transit
Administration Grant Boosts
Innovation and Customer Impact
Leaning into innovation while staying focused on
foundational aspects of transit service has resulted
in record amounts of federal funding that will further
enhance transit in the Memphis area.
I
Gary Rosenfeld
CEO, Memphis Area Transit
Authority
N THE PAST YEAR, THE MEMPHIS AREA
Transit Authority (MATA) has made great
strides, and we accomplished much of it by
engaging and listening to our stakeholders.
Not only must we keep the basics in the forefront:
Excellent customer service, positive rider
experience and well-equipped staff, but moving
into transit practices of the future was necessary.
We made innovation a priority area, and in
implementing creative strategies, we were in turn,
awarded more resources to do that work.
We recently received multiple grants from the
Federal Transit Administration totaling $139.8
million, the largest federal investment received
in our 47-year history.
The investment of $76 million included $54
million dollars earmarked for a new operations
and maintenance facility and $22 million to
purchase clean electric buses. Nearly $64 million
received earlier this year will be used for
an innovation corridor bus rapid transit system,
which will connect our downtown to the medical
district and our flagship school, the University
of Memphis, all high-traffic areas.
More important than the dollars themselves is
the impact and change the funding will bring to
our service area. It will improve transit services
for our riders, as well as improve work settings
for our employees. Additionally, it will allow us
to further lean into innovation to enhance our
operations and ultimately, boost the local economy
and environment.
The grant came on the heels of another historic
milestone in our organization and city overall
when Memphis City Council and Shelby County
14 | Mass Transit | MassTransitmag.com | DECEMBER 2022/JANUARY 2023
Commission each voted to grant multi-million
dollar dedicated funding to MATA. While many
other cities already receive dedicated funding
from their local governments, we consider it a
win and a healthy start to impact more residents.
To understand the weight of this total funding,
let's consider the challenges we've been navigating
in recent years.
By and large, public transportation nationally
had been underfunded. As CARES Act funds
for pandemic support dwindled and ridership
increased, the extreme need for increased funding
was illuminated once again.
Public transit is not a last
resort, but a necessary
component of a vibrant
and forward-moving
community.
MATA is one of many public transportation
agencies that experienced the effects of the national
driver shortage brought on by the pandemic.
A recent Transit Center report says more
than nine in 10 transit agencies are having hiring
challenges, with operators or drivers being the
most difficult positions to fill. Nearly 75 percent
of providers were forced to cut or delay services
as a result.
http://www.MassTransitmag.com
December 2022-January-2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of December 2022-January-2023
