Memphis Fun Awaits: Music, BBQ, & Trolleys
From music on Beale St. to Memphis in May, it’s transit that gets you there
Ah Memphis, a jewel on the banks of the Mississippi. You got a taste watching the trailer last week and now you can watch the full episode featuring the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA), Beale Street, Memphis in May, the World Barbecue Championship, and classic trolleys.
Of course we also have a new podcast episode this week too, and that’s where we’re going to start off the newsletter.
Is there a secret to increasing ridership?
Ron Kilcoyne has been in the transit industry for 40 years working at and running agencies across the U.S. Throughout his career he has been fascinated by what really drives ridership. Is it low fares? Is it buses with WiFi? Turns out just having a safe, reliable service that gets you where you need to go, when you need to get there is one of the biggest determining factors.
But it’s not the only one.
Tune in and learn about Ron’s three-legged-stool approach to service design and his research into getting the right balance of service to a population.
In Memphis, nothing beats vintage trolleys
There is just something special about antique streetcars. As more cities have brought back streetcars and trolleys, some agencies have scoured the globe for decommissioned, and beautiful, streetcars to restore and put back into service.
In Memphis they have an amazing fleet, including some newly acquired ones from Melbourne, Australia, taking people through the city on three different lines. Paul rode the Main Street line to the new Central Business District, home to one of the coolest music gems you’ll ever see. You can catch a trolley and ride on a bit of transit history for only a dollar.
Of course, trolleys aren’t all that make Memphis special. It has Sun Studio, amazing food, the National Civil Rights Museum, and a hotel that makes sure its ducks get from one pampered pond to another with red carpet treatment.
Tune in and watch this month’s episode of Transit Unplugged from the Home of the Delta Blues.
Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged: Dwight Ferrell, GM SMART
Imagine being tasked with moving 30,000 people to a special event on top of keeping up your regular service. Dwight Ferrell, General Manager of SMART (Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation) in Southeast Michigan did just that to support the recent NFL Draft in Detroit. Knowing downtown couldn’t accommodate all those people and cars, Dwight, the NFL, and the people at SMART found a way to shuttle people in and out of the city for the event, all while being short staffed as well.
But this isn’t even the best part of the interview Paul had with Dwight. Over the course of the conversation, Dwight shares his insights into technology, leadership, and what makes a great transit agency. This will be one of those shows you need to have a pen and paper handy for. You’re guaranteed to be jotting down notes that could change your whole career.
Make sure you follow us wherever you listen to podcasts so you don’t miss this episode.
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