For students tired of slogging through the traffic jams that clog Central, Poplar and Goodlett every morning, only to get to campus to spend more time cruising the parking lots for a space, mass transit may be a more attractive option.
The Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) is the bus system that services this area.
Commuting by bus is new for freshman journalism student David Echols, but he said his overall experience so far has been good.
"It was a little confusing at first, trying to figure out a route from point A to point B. I ran into a little snag at the main terminal but at this moment, I would have to rate the MATA system as being a good system. But then again, it is still too early in the semester," said Echols.
Others who ride the bus include staff members like Robert Catron, an Aramark employee in the Tiger Den. A long time bus rider, he believes the system is not as good as it should be.
"I think that it sucks. It's either too early or too late. It's kind of screwed up," he said.
For some riders, time restraints seem to be the main problem.
"The bus is frequently late, causing me to be pressed for time in getting to my classes," said Troy Wiggins, freshman journalism student. "I use the bus because my car broke down and I also had problems getting bus route information at the terminal."
But the bus line's management said there are reasons for these problems.
MATA General Manager Willie Hudson explained that a majority of customers ride the bus during critical or peak times during the day. It's during these times that the buses run more frequently (buses make stops about 28 to 30 minutes on any given route during peak times).
For students at The University of Memphis the morning and afternoon commute times can be very stressful. Two bus routes service The University: the #2, which alternates traveling down either Southern or Central Avenues, or the #50, which travels up and down Poplar Avenue. The last #2 bus leaves The University of Memphis around 6:32 p.m., meaning students and staff working late have to catch the #50 on its night loop run to the terminal.
When asked about problems of buses running on time, Hudson replied that each driver has a time log that must be filled out during their shift.
"If a driver is behind schedule, say five minutes or more, for whatever reason, that driver has to make up the lost time (within reason) and they have to account for that time. If the driver is ahead of schedule (which can occur) the driver can either slow down or make a brief stop in order to get back on schedule," he said.
Hudson voiced the concern that often times he is not aware of problems that riders experience.
"I want to know what is wrong with the system so that I can try to fix the problems," he said.
Listed on the back of each bus schedule is contact information for customers to use if they have comments about the bus system. Customers can go into the North End Terminal, located on Main Street, to lodge complaints or they can call the comment department at the number listed on the schedule.
MATA also has a Web site at matatransit.com , which has a complete listing of bus times, maps and other information like job listings.
Other riders complained about the overall condition of some of the buses and handicap accessibility.
According to Hudson, MATA uses five types of buses.
"The Gillis is the newest bus that we have," he said. "It has the capability to carry bicycles on a special rack located in front of the bus. The Neoplan is the extra long bus and it is usually used on heavy traffic routes. The Nova bus, which has been in use for the last three years, is equipped with something like a global positioning system that lets us know where it is at all times. It is our hope that when funding allows, we can retrofit all the buses with this system. That should help eliminate some of the problems riders are having."
As for the problem of handicap accessibility, 95 percent of all MATA buses are fitted with either lifts or ramps, and some buses "kneel" to allow riders to get on easier in accordance with the American Disabilities Association guidelines.
Higher gasoline prices have caused more people to begin riding MATA buses. Hudson said he believes this is a good thing.
"MATA serves up to 13 million riders a year in Memphis and West Memphis. We cover an area that is 288 square miles wide and we are the largest and best transportation system in the state of Tennessee," said Hudson. "We want the rider to feel that this system is theirs and they should have an investment in it."
When asked what riders could do to make the system better, Hudson said reporting problems would be a big help.
"I can't fix it if I don't know what's wrong," he said.
