Why should we care?
SCS’s ability to provide a quality, equitable education is being undercut by high teacher turnover and year-long teaching vacancies, as well as significant maintenance deficiencies within the schools, all of which leads to higher financial, educational, and health costs. A lack of access to wraparound services provided by qualified social workers, psychologists, and nurses inhibits the successful treatment of trauma or Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE). Abuse, neglect, and trauma significantly increase the likelihood of suspensions, juvenile criminal behavior, and incarceration. With a median age four years below the national average, Memphis’s population can support economic development, but only if we provide children in our community access to opportunities and support.
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Equipping people of faith and goodwill to organize communities for systemic change through collective action.
Transit Equity Task Force
Our Work
Better Transit for a Better Memphis Coalition (BTBM) was organized by MICAH and the Sierra Club Chickasaw Group in 2024, and holds Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) accountable and fights for adequate funding. Led by daily riders and other community champions, BTBM organizes and advocates for fully funded, accessible, and equitable public transit. This powerful coalition builds on prior victories to bring about greater mobility and economic equity for the working class. This will also substantially reduce Memphis’ tragically high poverty rate. MATA operates with insufficient funding, requiring robust public support to ensure sustainable investment and essential upgrades.
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WITH BTBM, MICAH & SIERRA CLUB’S MOST RECENT VICTORY - STOPPING SERVICE CUTS.
NOW, MORE THAN EVER, MICAH’S FULL SUPPORT IS NEEDED! This past fall we had a major victory persuading Mayor Paul Young to stop drastic service cuts and, in February, the City Council supported the Mayor’s and BTBM’s request for an added $5mm to further postpone these cuts! We continue to urge elected officials to commit to fully funding Transit Vision over the next three years and permanent elevation of funding to commence in the new fiscal year starting in July.
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Mayor Young’s Transit Equity Day 2025 statement of support for transit
“Public transportation is more than just a means of travel—it is a vital resource that
connects people to opportunities, strengthens communities, and promotes environmental
sustainability...The City of Memphis remains committed to advancing these values
through our Transit Vision Plan, ensuring that our transit systems are inclusive,
reliable, and beneficial to all residents.”
Our Demands for Transit Justice in Memphis
1. More Buses, More Often
Memphians deserve a transit system they can count on. Expanding and restoring service will take a serious, long-term funding commitment from the city. Without frequent, reliable buses, the system fails the people who need it most.
2. Safe, Dignified Bus Stops
No one should wait for a bus in unsafe or inhumane conditions. We need real investment in shelters, lighting, sidewalks, and accessibility. Funding for safe infrastructure is a public safety and equity issue — not an optional upgrade.
3. Fair, Dedicated Transit Funding
Public transit must be treated as essential infrastructure — just like roads, bridges, and utilities. We’re calling for the City of Memphis to dedicate at least $50 million in annual local funding to MATA. This funding is the foundation for every other improvement riders deserve. Support a referendum to establish a new, sustainable, and independent source of permanent local Funding.
4. Free & Affordable Fares
For many Memphians, the bus is the only way to reach opportunity. Affordability should not be a barrier. With the right investment, we can create a system that keeps transit accessible to youth, seniors, low-income riders, and frequent users.
5. Convenient & Inclusive Experience
With intentional planning and engagement, public transit can serve everyone, regardless of race, class, disability, or age, where employees can get to work on time, students can use their college IDs as their bus passes, and parents can attend school functions and meetings at any time of day.
6. ADA Compliance Across All Services
Curb-to-curb paratransit service should be consistent with ADA rules and meet the needs of individuals with disabilities. This includes making reservations 1 day in advance. Fixed-bus routes and trolleys should also be ADA-compliant, giving people with disabilities multiple options for transportation.
7. Rider Power in Transit Decisions
We need a system that’s accountable to the people it serves. Riders must have a seat at the table — and that means investing in rider engagement, community planning, and meaningful representation on transit boards and advisory bodies.
8. Transparent and Ethical Governance
Good governance can foster trust, ensure stability, and protect human rights. Following years of poor transparency of financial management and operations at MATA, bus riders, voting citizens, and taxpayers deserve transparency to rebuild trust and ensure ethical decision-making.
How We Can Take Action!
Right now, BETTER TRANSIT in the Memphis area is in a critical phase. Your support can make a great impact locally on economic and racial equity, poverty and truly making a BETTER MEMPHIS. Together, we can build on our victory in February, securing $5 million in added City funds that are preventing drastic new service cuts.
Better Transit for a Better Memphis (BTBM), organized by MICAH and Sierra Club Chickasaw Group, is aimed at improving public transportation in Memphis, ensuring that our communities have reliable, affordable, and accessible transit options. Too many people in our city struggle with transportation barriers that limit access to better paying jobs, education, healthcare, and other essential services. A well-funded and efficient transit system connects people to stable employment, job training programs, educational opportunities and cultural events – key factors in breaking Memphis too high poverty and crime rates.
Send a letter to Mayor Young and the City Council persuading them to fund meaningful improvements and hold MATA accountable for making these improvements.