Memphis Ranked 45th in National Transit Study

A new Consumer Affairs report evaluated public transit systems across 50 major U.S. cities based on 2024 data.

Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Air Travel

Bold vector editorial illustration of a transit bus at a stop, representing urban public transportation infrastructure. — Memphis ranked 45th in a recent Consumer Affairs national transit study, scoring 35.35 out of 100 on metrics including safety and affordability. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Memphis placed 45th in a recent national public transit ranking with an overall score of 35.35 out of 100. The report analyzed usefulness, safety, and affordability using data from the Federal Transit Administration and the U.S. Census Bureau.

Why it matters

The ranking highlights significant disparities in urban transit infrastructure across the country, with Memphis trailing in accessibility and safety metrics. Understanding these standings helps city officials assess current performance against national benchmarks for public mobility.

Memphis earned the 6th spot nationally for transit affordability, though it ranked 49th for usefulness and accessibility and 48th for operational safety. These metrics were derived from 50 cities evaluated in a report released on September 16, 2026.

The players

Memphis Area Transit Authority

This local agency manages public transportation services and is currently implementing fleet investments and fare pilot programs.

Consumer Affairs

This organization researches and publishes reports on various consumer-facing services and public infrastructure.

The details

While the city placed low in overall rankings, the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) has seen a 23% increase in ridership following the launch of a free fare pilot program. MATA has already installed 16 new transit shelters and intends to deploy 56 new buses into service over the next 12 months.

The Consumer Affairs report was published on September 16, 2026.
The findings were based on transit data collected throughout 2024.
MATA plans to introduce 56 new buses over the next 12 months.

The Big Picture

The report utilizes data from the National Transit Database to standardize performance metrics across diverse urban environments. This standardized data allows researchers to assess how cities like Memphis compare to national trends in infrastructure and public accessibility.

Residents can utilize the ongoing free fare pilot program to save on commuting costs while the city works to improve transit accessibility. Passengers should note that future updates to bus service frequency and shelter availability are expected over the next year.

The takeaway

The city's high ranking for affordability suggests that current pilot programs and investments are successfully lowering barriers to entry for riders. Residents should anticipate improvements to fleet safety and reliability as the transit authority moves forward with its planned equipment upgrades.