Speakers including members of Better Transit for a Better Memphis thanked council for a $6 million BRT allocation but urged additional funding and board changes for MATA, including a proposed $10 million transfer of auto fees and greater oversight.

Chair Washington said the transit agency provided an update on service improvements including newly fabricated buses and hiring efforts; the transcript records the agency name as 'Matta.'

MATA trustees told the transportation committee they secured about $48M to replace the aging bus fleet and plan to buy 56 buses over 12 months; they reported success with free fares boosting ridership and outlined plans to expand shelters, signage and microtransit pilots.

Dozens of public commenters asked the Council to increase the city’s transit investment by $20 million to restore routes, improve reliability and accountability at MATA. Speakers described missed buses, a 60% on-time metric, and broader service declines affecting workers, students and businesses.

Transit advocates and riders urged the Memphis City Council to increase the city’s transit investment from $32 million to $52 million and described service shortfalls — long waits, insufficient buses, and rider safety concerns — as the council held a third-quarter budget adjustment for two weeks.

Council members express frustration over lack of financial transparency from MATA leadership.