MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Area Transit Authority is hoping to have the trolleys back on the tracks next year, despite the agency being $60 million in the red. MATA's Interim CEO Bacarra Mauldin said Thursday she wants to bring back trolleys, possibly by next spring. Some business leaders are on board with the plan, while city leaders remain cautiously optimistic. MATA suspending trolley service, ‘streamlining’ staffing costs "Well, I think we'll be cautiously optimistic, right? We would love to see the trolleys restored, but we do want to make sure that the proper funding is in place to do that," Memphis City Councilwoman Jerri Green said.  Along Main Street, there's almost an air of silence as the sights and sounds of trolleys that once traveled up and down these tracks have been missing in action for tourists and those living and working downtown. "When they're not running, it's just not the same around here," said Mark Parsell, who owns and operates South Main Sounds. "It's an adornment for our city to have these trolleys. It looks good. It sounds good. The tourists love them, But there's another application and that's people getting around for their day-to-day activity." Back in August, MATA discovered expensive brake issues for the trolleys and suspended the service indefinitely and laid off the trolley staff. But in a social media post, MATA's Mauldin said, "We are listening. We're working endlessly to bring the trolleys back. I will propose a plan to the MATA Board for their return in Spring/Summer 2025." WREG asked council members how can this be done when MATA has a $60 million deficit.  MATA spent millions on trolleys before service halted "This is a very critical time for MATA and the trolleys, and so we're still in the weeds of things, trying to iron things out," said Memphis City Councilwoman Yolanda Cooper Sutton.  To help right the transit authority's problems, Mayor Paul Young even replaced the entire MATA board. "We have to get it right for the trolley drivers who were laid off and didn't know what was going to happen this Christmas," Green said. "We have to get it right for the businesses up and down Main Street that rely on that transportation. We have to get it right for the bus riders who are trying to get from one area of downtown to another." ‘Clean-slate’: Mayor Young replaces MATA board members following report As business owners prepare for South Main Night Market — formerly Trolley Night — they remain optimistic that the trolleys will one day be back on the tracks.         "I think that as a community we really need to trolleys back and the public transportation is very important to this community," Parsell said. ► 'South Main Market Night' kicks off Friday night between 5 and 8 p.m. in downtown Memphis. It features live music and shopping for the entire family — just no trolleys.