Memphis system offers 25-cent fares on Black Friday

The Memphis (Tenn.) Area Transit Authority (MATA) will offer discount fares on all modes of transportation the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, Nov.27. All fixed-route bus fares, trolley fares and MATAplus fares will be 25 cents. No transfers will be issued, but zone fares will apply.

The day after Thanksgiving is the year’s biggest shopping day — also known as Black Friday — is notorious for crowded stores and even more crowded parking lots and streets.

“This year has been difficult for people across the tri-state area,” said William Hudson, Jr., president/GM of MATA. “We wanted to offer a discount fare day as a thank you to our current riders and as a way to help people keep a little extra change in their pockets for holiday shopping. No matter whether you are going shopping on Friday, or to visit a friend, you can let MATA take care of your transportation needs.”

MATA will run its Saturday schedule on the Friday and Saturday after the holiday. Many MATA routes travel right to or right along some of the most popular shopping destinations in Memphis.

“It is our hope that some people who would normally use their cars over the holiday will instead hop on MATA and experience the convenience of not fighting traffic and parking lots,” added Alison Burton, director of marketing and customer service for MATA. “MATA is a convenient, clean and inexpensive way to get to your shopping destination.”