MATA suspends trolley service due to brake issues, no timeline on service restoration

The Memphis Area Transit Authority announced on Sunday that the Downtown trolley line would be suspended until further notice, according to a post on the social media site X.

There is currently no definitive timeline for the suspension of the trolley line services, MATA said in an email.

"We are actively investigating issues with the brake system of our historic, 100-year-old trolleys. Our priority is to ensure that the brake system meets all safety compliance standards before the trolleys return to service," MATA said.

In the social post, MATA said that due to a recent "brake issue" trolley line service will be suspended "effective immediately" and until further notice. The stop in service came at the request of the Tennessee Department of Transportation due to brake issues with the trolleys that caused safety concerns.

"TDOT, per State Safety Oversight Office requested MATA to temporarily shut down service until further investigation can be completed on a brake part," Nichole Lawrence, the TDOT Region 4 regional communications officer, said in an email.

Last November, a trolley was unable to stop immediately resulting in damage to the trolley barn door, a representative from MATA said in an email. In July, according to MATA, a part of the braking system failed which required the trolley operator to use "dynamic braking to safely bring the vehicle to a stop."

In both situations, no riders or employees were harmed, MATA said.

This comes amid a turbulent month for the transit service, with a forensic audit in the works after a multi-million-dollar deficit was discovered.

Throughout August and September, MATA will be holding community engagement meetings to discuss potential service and staff reorganization. For a full list of the meetings, please visit MATA's website .

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: MATA suspends trolley service due to brake issues, no timeline on service restoration