Celebrating 50 Years: 1975 – 2025
Celebrating 50 – Years of Service
Fifty years ago, a new chapter in coastal mobility began. On August 16, 1974, the Mississippi Coast Transportation Authority (MCTA) rolled out its very first bus, marking the return of public transit after a 3-year, 4-month void that followed the devastating impact of Hurricane Camille. But the journey of transit on the Mississippi Gulf Coast began long before that.
Trolleys of Yesteryear
In the early 1900s, local entrepreneur Joseph T. Jones recognized that a growing Gulfport would need reliable public transportation to thrive. That vision became a reality in 1906 with the launch of the Gulfport and Mississippi Coast Traction Company’s trolley system. By 1925, the Mississippi Power Company shifted transit from rail to rubber tires, replacing trolleys with buses for greater flexibility and efficiency. The Mississippi City Line and later Municipal Transit Lines, Inc., carried passengers for decades.
The End of Privatization
However, as private transit companies across the nation struggled financially, it became clear that a different approach was needed. In 1970, the Mississippi Legislature established MCTA as a public agency to ensure transit would endure—not as a business, but as a vital public service, just like roads, police, and fire protection. Public transportation would now be supported by a combination of fares and federal and local funding, allowing it to continue serving the community.
With the formation of MCTA, public transit on the Coast entered a new era. In 1985, the system was rebranded as Coast Area Transit, bringing with it a modernized fleet and improved schedules. In 1992, it adopted its current name, Coast Transit Authority (CTA), along with a new logo by Jim Miller, that still proudly represents the system today.
Hello Trolleys
Innovation and community connection have remained at the heart of CTA. In the early 1990s, CTA introduced replica trolley buses on Highway 90. A public contest gave birth to the beloved Beachcomber Line, a name that still rides the waves of coastal charm today. As the trolleys gained popularity, CTA expanded the fleet and made it ADA accessible, making the charming vehicles a CTA trademark.
Building Bridges—Literally and Figuratively
CTA took a pioneering step toward sustainability in 2003 with the purchase of hybrid electric trolleys—its first alternative-fueled vehicles. In 2015 more hybrid electric buses were added and later the new edition of transit (BEB) Battery Electric Bus in 2021. All of these developments move towards a cleaner, more environmentally-friendly transit options for Coastal Mississippi.
In addition to many environmental leaps and bounds, Coast Transit has also led several transformative beautification and infrastructure projects. In 2018, CTA renovated the historic Harrison County Library into the new Gulfport Transit Center and Hub. This elegant restoration not only supports daily transit operations but also serves as a unique venue for weddings and community events. The transit hub is now connected to one of CTA’s most ambitious projects to date: the CTA Tram Bridge, opened in 2024.
The Tram Bridge is a state-of-the-art pedestrian, bicycle, and tramway crossing that safely spans Highway 90, linking Jones Park with the Mississippi Aquarium. Fully ADA-compliant, the bridge features a dedicated tram lane and a wide walking/biking path, all built to endure high winds and storm surges—underscoring CTA’s commitment to both accessibility and coastal resilience.
From electric trolleys to hybrid buses, from storm recovery to city-shaping construction, Coast Transit Authority has been a symbol of resilience, service, and innovation for 50 years. As we celebrate this milestone, we honor the visionaries of the past, the dedicated employees and riders of the present, and the exciting road ahead.
Here’s to 50 years of driving the Coast forward—and the journey still to come.
Want a taste of what the last 50 years was like musically? We made a playlist of some of the hits from 1975- Today!