MTA Reverses Course On Transit Cuts In Baltimore Region

BALTIMORE, MD — Leaders from three counties and Baltimore came out in support of the state's decision to put the brakes on its plans to make significant cuts to the Maryland Transit Administration's (MTA) services.

The MTA had planned a series of virtual public hearings in October before scaling back operations due to declines in ridership amid the coronavirus pandemic. However, pushback from the public helped convince transit officials to change course.

"With the ongoing review of all transit ridership and public feedback," Transportation Secretary Gregory Slater said in a statement, "it became clear that preserving core bus service is essential."

Rather than discontinuing more than 30 bus routes and reducing service on many others, the new plan will be more temporary and strategic, officials said. MTA service will be maintained, but the frequency may be altered.

In the fourth week of September, the MTA said usage was down 60 percent overall — MARC down 89 percent, commuter bus down 87 percent and local bus usage down 51 percent — compared with 2019 data.

Officials attributed this slower-than-anticipated rebound in usage to teleworking and people limiting their travel amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The MTA will resume these service levels, which authorities said were in place at the height of the health emergency, starting Monday, Nov. 2:

• MARC: will operate on an enhanced “R” service schedule service.
• Commuter Bus routes will operate on a “S” schedule service with two exceptions:
  • Route 201 (Gaithersburg to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport) will make only odd-numbered trips on weekday and weekend/holiday schedules
  • Route 320 (Columbia to Baltimore) will operate regular service.
• Local Bus: No changes. All Express Bus routes and LocalLinks 38 and 92 remain suspended.

The agency aimed to "develop a plan that serves our riders and job centers, and supports Maryland’s continued recovery," MTA Administrator Kevin Quinn said in a statement. "The agency’s goal remains serving the region’s transit needs while managing unparalleled fiscal demands."

Leaders from Anne Arundel, Baltimore and Howard counties and Baltimore City applauded the move to retain service.

"We’re pleased that the state has reversed their decision to balance the budget on the backs of our most vulnerable residents,” said the statement signed by Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr., Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman Jr., Baltimore Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young, Baltimore City Council President Brandon M. Scott and Howard County Executive Calvin Ball III.

"While we understand the significant budget challenges caused by the pandemic, the proposed cuts would have only caused further harm to our residents who are already bearing the brunt of this crisis," leaders said. "Moving forward, we must continue to fight for more state funding to reverse generations of underinvestment in transportation across our entire region."

See Also:

• MDOT MTA Proposes Discontinuing, Realigning 38 Routes
• Advocates, Environmental Groups Oppose Public Transportation Cuts In Baltimore Region
• Major Bus And Rail Service Cuts In Maryland Planned To Meet Shortfalls