MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Area Transit Authority announced a new transit program that will help certain communities with the greatest transportation needs.

The new program is called Ready! and will provide service exclusively for those in the Boxtown, Westwood and Whitehaven communities — areas that the data shows have the greatest mobility needs, MATA said.

Beginning August 2, riders can reserve a pick up or drop off within those areas by calling 901-322-0466 from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Initially the service will be free, but a charge will be assessed at some point that will be the same as MATA’s other fixed route fees.

After the reservation is made, a van that can hold up to eight people will transport passengers to their destination. The service can be used for short-distance runs like a trip to the grocery store or medical appointments, or for long-distance trips. They will even take passengers to the fixed bus routes if that’s where they need to go.

Gary Rosenfeld, the MATA Chief Executive Officer, told WREG by phone the program makes sense, especially during the pandemic, and will give people more access to transportation.

“Once the pandemic hit it became just that more important to get it going,” Rosenfeld said. “It’s a great concept to better serve an underserve area like the zone that’s been an identified.”

The next phase of the program will include a mobile app that will allow people to book and pay for their rides on their phones. It’s unclear when that phase will begin.

The program is part of the Memphis 3.0 Transit Vision, a multi-million-dollar plan that calls for transforming public transportation.

“This fits the bill for that so that we can bring additional services, better opportunities for folks right to their curb, in front of their home or wherever they might be,” Rosenfeld said. “This could potentially help us expand and rededicate public transit.”

For more information about the program, click here.