MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – Changes to the Memphis Area Transit Authority’s board are still awaiting City Council approval, but while that’s still pending, bus riders across the city are also expecting longer wait times and route cuts soon.

TransPro recently published its MATA audit. According to the report, customer satisfaction has declined by almost 50% since 2018.

One frequent rider said MATA buses are already unreliable, but she believes it will become even more problematic in a few weeks.

On November 3rd, five MATA bus routes will stop operating. According to MATA, “The MATA Board of Commissioners approved fall 2024 service changes to optimize and address budget constraints.”

“It’s just more frustrating when the already unreliable buses become even more unreliable,” said Aelxandria Broadnax.

Broadnax often takes the bus to work in Harbortown, but she said the commute isn’t the fastest.

“It’s about an hour drive from my parents’ house because I live outside the state line,” she said. “So I take an Uber to the bus stop, then I take the bus, then I come here and walk across the bridge.”

Memphis Mayor Paul Young recently conducted a thorough review of the MATA board and recommended new board members.

Now it’s up to the Memphis City Council to vote on the proposed new group.

Johnnie Mosley of Citizens for Better Services said he wants to see changes immediately if the board approves.

“Stop, reverse and end these approved cuts,” he said.

The recent Transpro report agreed. The report says there needs to be a pause on cuts and fare increases until MATA can offer scheduled flights.

Mosley added he also wants the board to take a look at MATA’s current interim administration.

“We know things won’t happen overnight. “This is the beginning,” he said, explaining that this change in board members is progress.

While the upcoming cuts won’t directly impact Broadnax, she said there will be time delays.

She said sometimes it’s easier to work with Uber.

“There will be days where I sit out there and think, well, the bus isn’t coming, so I’m going to take an Uber,” she said. “You have to do this, otherwise you won’t get anywhere.”

She said this ended up being a $30 ride instead of a $1 ride.

There is no word on when the Memphis City Council will vote on this proposed new MATA board.

They are scheduled to meet on Tuesday.

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