For University of Memphis students facing transportation challenges, the MATA bus system has become a vital resource for navigating the city.
Since Nov. 16, MATA has operated its Zero Fare Pilot Program, offering free rides on all services through February 2026. Launched by the Memphis City Council with support from Mayor Paul Young, the program gives Memphians 90 days of free access to public transportation.
For students balancing classes, work and social commitments without reliable transportation, the program provides a crucial lifeline. Dante Walker, a 25-year-old music major, said the initiative has helped him stay on track academically as the semester winds down.
“I don’t have a car, so finding a way to get to class has been tough this semester,” Walker said. “My mom ended up telling me about the buses being free and I’ve been riding them for almost two weeks now.”
Walker credits the program for giving him dependable access to campus.
“If it weren’t for the buses being free, I would’ve missed a lot of key assignments in a few of my classes,” he said. “This new plan has helped me get to class and work on time, and I hope Memphis keeps this going for a long time.”
The Zero Fare Pilot Program has been especially beneficial for students who spend long hours on campus. With a schedule that includes a 6 p.m. history class, freshman Devonte Wilkins relies on MATA to get home after evening lectures.
“Usually, my grandma drops me off and picks me up from campus, but because her work schedule changed, I had to pay for Ubers almost every day,” Wilkins said. “I found out about the buses being free from a Memphis Instagram page, and it’s helped me save money and travel to and from campus during the week.”
Wilkins, 19, believes the free service is especially beneficial for students already weighed down by other costs. “A lot of us already pay for things like tuition and books, so I think the buses being free is a huge weight off students’ shoulders who don’t have cars.”
As the semester wraps up, the MATA Zero Fare Pilot Program continues to serve as an essential support system for UofM students working to finish strong.
Carter Burton can be contacted at cmbrton4@memphis.edu.
