Memphis to receive federal funds to restore rail trolley service

The Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) will receive $2.6 million in federal funding to purchase three new electric rail trolleys for the city's downtown, U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) announced yesterday.

The funding is being distributed through the U.S. Department of Transportation's Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement program. The Tennessee Department of Transportation selected MATA to receive the money.

The funds will be used to begin restoring rail trolley service in Memphis, said MATA Chief Executive Officer Ron Garrison.

"The trolleys help people connect with jobs, shopping, attractions and restaurants, and support the continued economic vitality of downtown and midtown Memphis," Garrison said. "New vehicles will also ease MATA's long-term operations and maintenance costs, and take us a step further in moving buses currently on the trolley routes into other bus services."