The system is managed by a seven-member policy board appointed by the mayor and approved by the Memphis City Council.

[5] The following month, the City issued bonds to complete the acquisition and purchase 40 new air-conditioned GM New Look buses for the newly formed Memphis Transit Authority (MTA).

[6] The MTC continued to manage the system, but a board of commissioners was appointed by the City to set fares, fix routes, buy equipment, and make contracts.

To make ends meet, MATA cut service and raised fares in September 1981 and again in April 1982.

[13] In 1983, MATA started operating MAN articulated buses to reduce personnel costs on busy routes.

[17] In 2004, MATA studied purchasing hybrid electric buses to reduce emissions and fuel consumption.

DOT awarded MATA a $12 million grant to fund the design and construction of the Memphis Innovation Corridor.

The final design consisted of an eight-mile BRT line running from downtown to the University of Memphis and using battery-electric buses.

MATA received another $76 million in 2022 for purchasing the BRT busses and constructing maintenance and charging stations for them.

But in November, Mayor Paul Young replaced all board members after receiving a draft of TransPro's diagnostic report.

[33] In January 2025, the board of commissioners signed an eight-month contract with TransPro for interim staffing, including John Lewis as CEO.

The 28 Airport, 16 Southeast Circulator, 37 Perkins, and 34 Central & Walnut Grove routes had the lowest ridership.

[36] MATA also operates a shuttle service to Liberty Park from downtown and the University of Memphis for the Southern Heritage Classic.

The LFS was MATA's preferred fleet of choice, having been used in its lineup from February 1980 until its retirement in April 2010, when the six remaining 1994 NovaBus versions were replaced with the Gillig Advantage Hybrids.

Today, MATA fixed-route fleet consists of diesel and diesel-electric Gillig Advantage Low Floor buses.

These buses can hold 40 people seated[38] and are equipped with bike racks, Wi-Fi, and a wheelchair ramp.

The Madison Avenue line opened in 2004,[66] as the initial stage of a light rail system that would connect downtown Memphis with the Memphis International Airport and eventually to regional transit service beyond the MATA service boundaries.

[69] On August 18, 2024, MATA suspended trolley service indefinitely due to an investigation into issues with brakes and costly upgrades recommended by TDOT.

It is the successor to MATA and the Memphis Medical District Collaborative (MMDC)'s Route 500 commuter bus.

Reservations works similarly to ride hailing services, but payments can be made through the GO901 app or in-person with cash.