Plan a MATA Bus Trip with Current Routes, Times, Stops and Live Service Tools
MATA operates 24 fixed bus routes across Memphis and parts of Shelby County under schedules effective May 17, 2026. Routes use different weekday, Saturday and Sunday frequencies, so the route number alone is not enough to plan a trip.
Use this guide to identify the correct corridor, compare operating spans, open the official timetable PDF, check MATA Tracker, confirm a transit-center connection and understand the extended zero-fare program before you leave.
How to Check a MATA Bus Schedule
Find the route number that follows your main travel corridor, open its official PDF and select the correct service day and direction. Then use MATA Tracker shortly before departure because printed times do not show unexpected delays or canceled trips.
MATA Schedule Guide
What Riders Need to Know in August 2026
MATA Bus Routes, Weekday Frequency and Service Days
The headways below come from MATA’s spring 2026 service tables. A headway is the planned interval between buses, not the exact departure time at every stop.
Route 1 — Union
Union Avenue corridor with service involving William Hudson Transit Center, the Medical Center, Christian Brothers University, Poplar Plaza and Binghampton-area destinations.
Open Route 1 PDFRoute 2 — Madison
Madison Avenue service operating through downtown and the University of Memphis corridor toward Knight Arnold under the 2026 continuous-route change.
Open Route 2 PDFRoute 4 — Walker
Walker Avenue corridor service. Open the official map to identify the correct terminal, timepoint and transfer location for your direction.
Open Route 4 PDFRoute 7 — Shelby & Holmes
South Memphis service using the Shelby Drive and Holmes Road corridors. Confirm the direction because terminal and transfer points differ.
Open Route 7 PDFRoute 8 — Chelsea & Highland
Cross-city service involving Chelsea Avenue and Highland Street. The 2026 schedule makes a prior narrow-lane detour part of the permanent routing.
Open Route 8 PDFRoute 11 — Frayser
Frayser-area service connecting northern Memphis neighborhoods with the wider MATA network.
Open Route 11 PDFRoute 12 — Mallory
Mallory Avenue corridor service. Riders should confirm the Saturday timetable because Route 12 does not appear in MATA’s regular Sunday schedule table.
Open Route 12 PDFRoute 13 — Lauderdale
Lauderdale corridor service scheduled in coordination with Route 40 Stage on portions of the operating plan.
Open Route 13 PDFRoute 16 — Southeast Circulator
Circulator service linking American Way Transit Center, Mendenhall-area stops and Airways Transit Center.
Open Route 16 PDFRoute 19 — Vollintine
Vollintine and Macon-area service extending toward Wolfchase, Southwest Tennessee Community College, IKEA and nearby destinations.
Open Route 19 PDFRoute 28 — Airport
Fixed-route service between William Hudson Transit Center and Memphis International Airport through listed intermediate timepoints.
Open Route 28 PDFRoute 30 — Brooks
Brooks Road corridor service connecting with Airways Transit Center and other south Memphis routes.
Open Route 30 PDFRoute 32 — Hollywood & Hawkins Mill
North Memphis service using Hollywood Street and Hawkins Mill corridors.
Open Route 32 PDFRoute 34 — Central & Walnut Grove
Central Avenue and Walnut Grove corridor service. Regular Sunday service is not shown in MATA’s spring Sunday table.
Open Route 34 PDFRoute 36 — Lamar
Lamar Avenue corridor service and one of the wider network’s major southeast connections.
Open Route 36 PDFRoute 37 — Perkins
Perkins Road corridor service. The spring schedule table does not show regular Sunday operation.
Open Route 37 PDFRoute 39 — South Third
South Third Street service with different branches and alternating trip patterns. Dashes in the PDF mean a trip does not serve that listed timepoint.
Open Route 39 PDFRoute 40 — Stage
Stage Road corridor service operating in coordination with Route 13 Lauderdale in the spring schedule plan.
Open Route 40 PDFRoute 42 — Crosstown
A major cross-city route with additional service investment under the 2026 reliability plan.
Open Route 42 PDFRoute 50 — Poplar
Poplar Avenue corridor service and one of MATA’s most frequent routes under the spring 2026 plan.
Open Route 50 PDFRoute 52 — Jackson
Jackson Avenue corridor service connecting downtown and north/east Memphis destinations.
Open Route 52 PDFRoute 53 — Summer
Summer Avenue corridor service operating weekday, Saturday and Sunday schedules.
Open Route 53 PDFRoute 57 — Park
Park Avenue corridor service connecting residential, community and transfer destinations.
Open Route 57 PDFRoute 69 — Winchester
Winchester Road service linking American Way Transit Center, south Memphis destinations and airport-area stops. The 2026 route uses Weaver Road to avoid train delays on West Raines.
Open Route 69 PDFMATA Weekday Start Times, End Times and Headways
These are route-level operating spans published in MATA’s spring 2026 update. They do not mean that every stop receives its first bus at the listed start time or its last bus at the listed end time.
| Route | Published Weekday Span | Headway | Planning Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 — Union | 5:15 a.m.–10:22 p.m. | 45 minutes | One of the most frequent MATA routes |
| 2 — Madison | 4:59 a.m.–9:05 p.m. | 75 minutes | Continuous 2026 routing through University of Memphis corridor |
| 4 — Walker | 4:15 a.m.–8:15 p.m. | 75 minutes | Use the direction-specific PDF |
| 7 — Shelby & Holmes | 5:58 a.m.–6:36 p.m. | 90 minutes | Shorter evening span than major trunk routes |
| 8 — Chelsea & Highland | 5:15 a.m.–10:07 p.m. | 60 minutes | Permanent routing adjustment applies |
| 11 — Frayser | 5:13 a.m.–10:04 p.m. | 60 minutes | Check live service before a late trip |
| 12 — Mallory | 5:11 a.m.–8:04 p.m. | 60 minutes | No regular Sunday schedule shown |
| 13 Lauderdale / 40 Stage | 5:15 a.m.–9:40 p.m. | 120 minutes | Read both route PDFs and destination signs |
| 16 — Southeast Circulator | See route PDF | 120 minutes | Limited number of departures |
| 19 — Vollintine | 4:45 a.m.–8:35 p.m. | 120 minutes | No regular Sunday schedule shown |
| 28 — Airport | See route PDF | 120 minutes | Plan around exact departures, not average frequency |
| 30 — Brooks | 4:55 a.m.–8:43 p.m. | 120 minutes | Confirm Airways Transit Center connection |
| 32 — Hollywood & Hawkins Mill | 4:30 a.m.–10:17 p.m. | 90 minutes | Check stop-level arrival before late trips |
| 34 — Central & Walnut Grove | See route PDF | 120 minutes | No regular Sunday schedule shown |
| 36 — Lamar | 4:15 a.m.–10:05 p.m. | 60 minutes | Long corridor; allow recovery time for transfers |
| 37 — Perkins | See route PDF | 120 minutes | No regular Sunday schedule shown |
| 39 — South Third | 4:45 a.m.–9:35 p.m. | Alternates from 30 to 90 minutes | Branches do not serve every timepoint |
| 42 — Crosstown | 4:00 a.m.–10:38 p.m. | 60 minutes | Earliest published route-level start |
| 50 — Poplar | 4:15 a.m.–10:40 p.m. | 45 minutes | One of the most frequent routes |
| 52 — Jackson | 4:14 a.m.–10:00 p.m. | 60 minutes | Confirm inbound versus outbound stop |
| 53 — Summer | 6:15 a.m.–10:01 p.m. | 60 minutes | Later route-level morning start |
| 57 — Park | 4:30 a.m.–9:50 p.m. | 75 minutes | Allow buffer for a timed connection |
| 69 — Winchester | 5:30 a.m.–8:20 p.m. | 90 minutes | No regular Sunday schedule shown |
Saturday and Sunday MATA Bus Service
| Sunday Frequency | Routes | Rider Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 45 minutes | 50 Poplar | Most frequent published Sunday route |
| 60 minutes | 8 Chelsea & Highland, 11 Frayser, 39 South Third, 42 Crosstown, 52 Jackson | Approximately hourly, but check branch and stop times |
| 75 minutes | 2 Madison, 4 Walker, 57 Park | Missing one trip may create a wait longer than one hour |
| 90 minutes | 1 Union, 7 Shelby & Holmes, 32 Hollywood & Hawkins Mill, 36 Lamar | Plan around a specific departure |
| 120 minutes | 13 Lauderdale, 16 Southeast Circulator, 28 Airport, 30 Brooks, 40 Stage, 53 Summer | Use the timetable; an average two-hour interval leaves little margin |
| No regular Sunday service shown | 12 Mallory, 19 Vollintine, 34 Central & Walnut Grove, 37 Perkins, 69 Winchester | Find another route or on-demand option |
How Long Is the Typical Wait Between MATA Buses?
The chart groups current weekday routes by published headway. Longer bars mean longer planned intervals.
How MATA Routes Connect Through Memphis
This SVG is a planning diagram, not an exact street map. Use it to understand the role of the three transit centers and major route groups before opening the official system map.
How to Find the Correct MATA Bus Stop
MATA Tracker, Trip Planner, Omnilert and Phone Assistance
Use the timetable to identify a planned trip, then use live tools to confirm whether a vehicle is reporting and whether a disruption affects your route.
Mon–Fri 6 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sat 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; Sun closed.
Are MATA Buses Free Right Now?
Yes. MATA states that its original 90-day Zero Fare Pilot has been extended. Fixed-route buses, downtown trolleys, MATAplus and Ready! currently operate without collecting a fare.
What are MATA’s listed standard fares if fare collection returns?
MATA’s fare page lists a $1 adult bus fare, $1 student fare, 50-cent senior and disability fare, and a $2 daily FastPass. These figures are not currently collected on covered services during the Zero Fare Pilot and may be revised before fares return.
MATA System Map and Spring 2026 Schedule Update
The system map shows major roads, route lines and service areas. The spring presentation contains the weekday, Saturday and Sunday service tables used in this guide.
MATA System Map — May 2026
Spring 2026 Service Adjustments Presentation
MATA Transit Centers, Addresses, Phone Numbers and Hours
William Hudson Transit Center
Address: 444 N. Main St., Memphis, TN 38105
Phone: 901-523-8134
Counter: Monday–Friday 7 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sunday closed.
Lobby: Monday–Friday 6 a.m.–10 p.m.; Saturday 7 a.m.–10 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
American Way Transit Center
Address: 3921 American Way, Memphis, TN 38118
Phone: 901-722-0322
Counter: Monday–Friday 7 a.m.–5 p.m.; weekends closed.
Lobby: Monday–Friday 6 a.m.–9 p.m.; Saturday 7 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
Airways Transit Center
Address: 3033 Airways Blvd., Memphis, TN 38131
Phone: 901-722-7080
Counter: Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–noon; weekends closed.
Lobby: MATA lists the lobby as open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
How to Reach Memphis International Airport by MATA
Downtown Memphis Trolley Schedule
MATA’s current trolley page describes Main Street Trolley bus service operating approximately every 60 minutes.
| Day | Published Hours | Approximate Frequency | Current Fare Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday–Saturday | 8:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. | 60 minutes | Covered by zero-fare pilot |
| Sunday | 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. | 60 minutes | Covered by zero-fare pilot |
Check current trolley service | Open official trolley map
Ready! and Groove On-Demand Alternatives
Ready! remains reservation-based even though it is currently included in the zero-fare pilot.
Hours: Daily 6 a.m.–10 p.m.
Published fare: $1.25 per ride.
Wheelchair Access, Ramps and MATAplus
Read MATA accessibility guidance | Open MATAplus information
Bicycles, Strollers, Luggage and Personal Items
Remaining 2026 MATA Holiday Service Levels
| Holiday | Date | Published Service Level |
|---|---|---|
| Labor Day | September 7, 2026 | Sunday service |
| Veterans Day | November 11, 2026 | Weekday service |
| Thanksgiving Day | November 26, 2026 | Sunday service |
| Day after Thanksgiving | November 27, 2026 | Saturday service |
| Christmas Eve | December 24, 2026 | Weekday service |
| Christmas Day | December 25, 2026 | Sunday service |
MATA Lost and Found
MATA Trip Checklist
- Confirm the route number and route name.
- Open the timetable effective May 17, 2026.
- Select weekday, Saturday, Sunday or holiday service.
- Match the bus destination sign.
- Find the nearest numbered timepoint.
- Arrive at least ten minutes early.
- Check MATA Tracker and Omnilert.
- Confirm the fare-free pilot is still active.
- Allow extra time for a transfer.
- Save 901-274-6282 for assistance.
MATA Schedule Problems and What to Do
Official MATA Sources
Official information reviewed August 5, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions About MATA Bus Schedules
What does MATA stand for in Memphis?
MATA stands for Memphis Area Transit Authority, the public transportation provider serving Memphis and parts of Shelby County, Tennessee.
How many current MATA bus routes are there?
MATA’s bus page effective May 17, 2026 lists 24 fixed routes.
Are MATA buses free in 2026?
MATA’s extended Zero Fare Pilot currently allows riders to board fixed-route buses, downtown trolleys, MATAplus and Ready! without paying a fare. Recheck the official pilot page because the policy may eventually change.
Why does the route PDF still show a $1 fare?
The current PDFs retain MATA’s standard fare chart, but the newer zero-fare notice says covered services currently operate without collecting fares.
What are the most frequent MATA bus routes?
Routes 1 Union and 50 Poplar have the shortest published weekday headway at approximately 45 minutes. Actual arrivals can still be delayed.
Which MATA routes do not run on Sunday?
MATA’s spring Sunday table does not show regular service for Routes 12 Mallory, 19 Vollintine, 34 Central and Walnut Grove, 37 Perkins or 69 Winchester.
Which MATA bus goes to Memphis International Airport?
Route 28 is MATA’s named Airport route. Route 69 Winchester also lists Memphis International Airport among its served destinations, but Route 69 does not show regular Sunday service.
How early should I arrive at a MATA stop?
MATA advises riders to arrive at least ten minutes before the scheduled time and remain visible near the curb.
How do I track a MATA bus?
Open MATA Tracker through the official website, select the route and compare the vehicle location with the route timetable and current alerts.
What number do I call for MATA schedule help?
Call 901-274-MATA, or 901-274-6282. Press two during the automated message to speak with an agent during call-center hours.
Are MATA buses wheelchair accessible?
MATA states that all buses and trolley stations are wheelchair accessible. Buses include ramps, a kneeling feature and mobility-device securement areas.
Can I take a bicycle on a MATA bus?
Fixed-route buses have front bike racks for conventional two-wheel bicycles. When rack space is unavailable, a bike may be allowed onboard if space is available and it does not block the aisle or doors.
Where is MATA Lost and Found?
The Lost and Found office is inside William Hudson Transit Center at 444 N. Main Street. Call 901-523-8134 and check after 10 a.m. on the next business day.