Gas Tax Fact Sheet

On the November Ballot in Memphis, voters will be asked to decide upon a 1-cent-per-gallon tax

on gasoline sales within the city. The proceeds from that tax will go to the Memphis Area

Transit Authority (MATA).

What Will MATA Use The Tax Revenue For?

Expanded hours, frequency and comfort investments

on the eight most utilized commuter and local convenience routes

The gas tax would present MATA with a unique opportunity to focus additional funds and

attention to increase frequency, service and amenities on its most critical commuter and high

frequency routes. Specifically, these eight key corridor routes are in the highest demand and

present the greatest opportunity to:

take more personal vehicles off the road -- reducing congestion and air pollution

attract more riders & increase convenience for existing riders

The eight routes represent coverage and access to all parts of the city:

North East Southeast Midtown South

#52-Jackson #50-Poplar #56 Lamar #32-Hollywood/ #43-Elvis Presley

#10-Watkins East Parkway #39-Third

#8-Chelsea

These routes cover the highest concentrations of commuting workers, schools, shopping

destinations and medical destinations.

Specific Key Corridor Improvements would include:

- More uniform and dependable frequency (headway), meaning less time between buses during

critical hours of the day especially AM/PM peaks, night, and on Saturdays and Sundays.

- A 48 percent improvement in total weekly coverage on these routes – 3,732 hours of service

compared to 2,520 hours of service today, due to increased frequency and simplifying routes.

- Improvements to those Bus Shelters operated by MATA initially on the key corridor routes and

ultimately on most routes.

Improvements to MATAplus On-time Performance

MATA will add three additional drivers to MATAplus to improve its ability to serve MATAplus

customers as quickly as possible.

Added Dependability of Main Street Trolleys

With the Gas Tax revenues, MATA will add an additional trolley to the popular Main Street

route utilized by downtown business professionals, residents and tourists.

Expected Proceeds

Based on estimates on the number of gallons of gasoline sold in the City of Memphis annually,

MATA calculates a financial benefit of approximately $3 million from the tax if passed.

As a point of reference, the tax revenue would represent about five percent of the total MATA

annual operating budget.

MATA’s Gas Tax Utilization Strategy

Fixed route bus service would be the highest priority

MATAplus and trolley would benefit

Funds would be designated to address the poor condition of current bus shelters

The improvements would be spread to benefit citizens across the City

Improvements would have appeal to “choice riders”

Improvements would be tied into the Short Range Transit Plan

Did You Know

Public transit is a key metro attractor for the 25- to 34-year old workers cities are trying to attract

Nearly 2,000 times each month, a bike is strapped to a MATA bus for a commuter

One full bus takes 40 vehicles off the road

According to the American Public Transportation Association, public transit use saves the U.S.

4.2 billion gallons of gas and 37 million metric tons of carbon monoxide annually, and

households that use public transit save more than $8,000 a year

MATA operates about 250 buses and trolleys, four passenger terminals, 300 shelters,

4,500 bus stops, 10.6 million passenger trips each year

Fixed Route service accounts for 88% of ridership; Trolley 10% and MATAplus 2%

65% of Memphis residents have used public transportation

35% of ridership in the state is transported by MATA