The transport service provider is the Memphis Area Transit Authority - MATA (tel: (901) 274 6282; website: www.matatransit.com) which operates bus and streetcar routes around the city. The telephone line is open for enquiries 24 hours.

Since most residents of Memphis own cars, public transport in the city is not particularly good. Timetables vary on major bus routes, so commuters should check these by calling the information help line (see above). Tickets are available on the bus.

MATA also operates a streetcar service - the Main Street Trolley. Vintage trolley cars (most imported from Oporto, Portugal and Melbourne, Australia) run in the Downtown area along Main Street, Madison Avenue and on a Riverfront Loop. The daily service is inexpensive and generally runs every 10 to15 minutes, although Sunday service stops early. Tickets are available for purchase on the streetcar. Check the MATA website for fares and passes.

It is not possible to hail taxis in the street - they must be booked by telephone. Providers include Yellow Cab Company (tel: (901) 577 7777) or City Wide Cab Company (tel: (901) 324 4202).

Memphis is a sprawling city and for areas outside of Downtown, a car is the best way of getting about. Traffic can be heavy during the rush hours from 0730 to 0900 and 1700 to 1830, but otherwise is light compared to other major American cities. In general, the city is laid out on a grid, with avenues running east-west and streets running north-south. However, there are exceptions to this rule, including the Downtown area. The main east-west roads are Poplar and Union Avenues. These get very congested during rush hours and are best avoided. Driving is on the right. Right turns on red lights are permitted if it is safe, unless otherwise stated.

Metered street-parking or numerous fee-based parking lots are available in Downtown Memphis. Some hotels offer free parking, but most charge for valet parking and self-parking each day. There is a free car park on the cobblestones between Front Street and the river.

Some companies will insist on an International Drivers Permit, as well as a national licence, so visitors should check company regulations before leaving home. Usually an international driver's licence is only required if a visitor's national driver's licence is not in English. Most car hire companies require drivers to be over 25 years old. Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) cover is advised when hiring a car.

All major car hire companies have offices in the city, located near to the airport. These include Alamo (tel: (901) 332 8412 or 1 800 327 9633; website: www.alamo.com), Avis (tel: (901) 527 1138 or 1 800 331 1212; website: www.avis.com), Budget (tel: (901) 398 8888 or 1 800 527 0700; website: www.budget.com), Enterprise (tel: (901) 525 8588 or 1 800 325 8007; website: www.enterprise.com), Hertz (tel: (901) 345 5680 or 1 800 654 3131; website: www.hertz.com) and Thrifty (tel: (901) 345 0170 or 1 800 367 2277; website: www.thrifty.com).

Cyclists can hire bikes at the Adventure Centre at Mud Island River Park, 125 North Front Street (tel: 1 800 507 6507 or (901) 576 7241), or from the Peddler Bicycle Shop, 575 South Highland Street (tel: (901) 327 4833; website: www.peddlerbikeshop.com).

Outdoors Inc. (website: www.outdoorsinc.com) has two locations in the city, at 5245 Poplar Avenue (tel: (901) 767 6790), and 1710 Union Avenue (tel: (901) 722 8988). Mountain bikes are available for daily hire, but not overnight. Deposit required.