In 2019, the city of Memphis will enter its third century with, hopefully, an ambitious new vision for public transit in place.
The Memphis 3.0 planning process is just getting started, but discussions about the future of transit in the city are already well under way. In addition to the release of the "Transit Vision Choices Report" released at the end of September, the city is promoting a public survey that will produce conclusions next year to help inform the Memphis 3.0 plan.
An article by Wayne Risher details the current transportation planning efforts, which are under direction by Jarrett Walker + Associates. Risher reports that the transit study occurs against the backdrop of declining ridership on the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) system. The article cites Scudder Wagg, senior associate at Jarrett Walker, who describes an underfunding system in a increasingly sprawling city—the city of Memphis has doubled in land area since the 1960s.
MATA chief Gary Rosenfeld is also cited in the article supporting increased spending. "Rosenfeld has said the agency could add 200,000 hours of bus service by early 2019 with a $30 million increase in funding. A change in state law this year provided new funding options for transit," writes Risher.
Another article by Ryan Poe from August 2017 describes more about how the changed funding landscape in Tennessee has enabled Memphis's transit planning ambitions.
As for Memphis 3.0, the plan is expected to guide the city's vision for land use, neighborhood development, transportation, and more on the occasion of the city's bicentennial, which will occur in 2019.
FULL STORY: Transit vision coming into view for MATA as Memphis 3.0 launches study
Memphis Testing Vintage Siemens U2 Trolley Cars—With Service Expected to Open Later This Year
Originally designed for use in Frankfurt, Germany, the Siemens–Duewag U2 was used in Canada and San Diego before now coming to Memphis.
Austin Preparing to Trim 'Project Connect' Long-Term Transit Plans
Increasing costs and an understanding about taxes are reducing the scope of the long-term transit plan in Austin, Texas.
Buslash in Salt Lake City
New bus routes planned for Salt Lake City have provoked a vocal political opposition.
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.
The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.
Healing Through Parks: Altadena’s Path to Recovery After the Eaton Fire
In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena is uniting to restore Loma Alta Park, creating a renewed space for recreation, community gathering, and resilience.
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives
A new UCLA study finds that while California has made progress in electric vehicle adoption, disadvantaged communities remain underserved in EV incentives, ownership, and charging access, requiring targeted policy changes to advance equity.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research