What We Do

Our Mission

The Commute Options initiative aims to reduce the number of single-occupancy vehicle commute trips in Memphis while increasing the usage of transit, carpooling, bicycling, and walking to work.

Problem Statement

The drive-alone commute culture pervasive in Memphis negatively impacts our local economy, communities, and environment while contributing to sprawl. Through a historic emphasis on developing more convenient automotive transportation, Memphis positioned itself as less walkable and transit-friendly than our peer cities.

Despite ongoing multi-modal transportation improvements, around 80% of Memphians drive alone to and from work each day.

Fiscal Impact

The Tennessee Department of Transportation awarded Innovate Memphis a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality grant to create partnerships with local employers and learning institutions to promote transportation choices that improve economic and community health.

Next Steps

While our strategies currently aim to improve transportation choices and culture at our partner worksites, more sustainable change, city-wide, is the ultimate goal for future implementations.

Staff

Our Programs

Transportation Demand Management

Commute Options Transportation Demand Management initiative encourages employees and students to shift from drive-alone commutes to transit, walking, rideshare, and bicycling.

Transit Vision

Forward-thinking cities have forward-thinking transportation systems. Whether it is faster, more reliable, buses that get more people jobs or reduce emissions and congestions, we need the Transit Vision plan to dramatically expand job access to Memphians.

Commute Challenge

Each spring, we encourage Memphians to keep track of their commute options on our website. As they do it, they participate for prizes and rewards and connect with other people who want to make Memphis a better city. Learn more.

Virtual Bus Ride

Virtual Bus Ride is an exhibition which aims to make the riding-the-Mata-bus experience accessible to everyone. It consists of an actual Mata farebox and a backdrop to simulate each user’s presence on the bus.