FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

New Servic e Follows Public Hearings, Comment Period; Changes Effective August 28

 

BALTIMORE, MD (August 10, 2022)– The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) is implementing three routes changes this month that expand service options for area riders: new LocalLink 32 between University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) and Patapsco Light Rail, new 24-hour access to Morgan State University and Johns Hopkins University on the CityLink Silver, and improved accessibility to Patapsco Light Rail on the LocalLink 26. The modifications are part of MDOT MTA’s fall service changes, and take effect August 28.

 

“Reliable transportation is critical to get Baltimore area riders to jobs, education and healthcare,” said MDOT MTA Administrator Holly Arnold. “With these service changes, MDOT MTA is focused on developing the transit network and improving connections to best fit our riders’ needs.”

 

The changes follow a series of public hearings and a 30-day public review and comment period, which were pivotal in making decisions about the routes. The full scope of Local Bus service modifications reflects MDOT MTA’s commitment to prioritize equitable access to transit service and improve service reliability as ridership continues to rebound from COVID-19 lows.

 

The public comment process also considered a limited-stop pilot bus service between North Bend Loop in Westgate and the Essex Park and Ride, dubbed QuickLink 40. That pilot isn’t part of the fall 2022 package as MDOT MTA focuses on improving system-wide reliability, but could be included in subsequent service modifications. A summary of the Local Bus route changes follows:

 

Service Enhancements

• LocalLink 32 – The route introduces new service between UMBC and Patapsco Light Rail via Kaiser Permanente South Baltimore County Medical Center and Blind Industries and Services of Maryland. This route improves connections from the Riverview neighborhood to retail businesses along Washington Boulevard and Patapsco Avenue, and to the MARC Halethorpe station.
• LocalLink 26 – Service on this route will extend to the Patapsco Light Rail, improving accessibility with a direct and safer connection from Cherry Hill.
• CityLink Silver – New service will create 24-hour access to Johns Hopkins University and Morgan State University with the addition of weekday and weekend overnight round trips.

 

Service Modifications:

• Express Bus 103 – To match ridership levels, service will be reduced to four trips in the morning peak and four trips in the afternoon peak. Reverse-commuting service on the Midway branch will be discontinued. Alternate service will be available on the CityLink Green.

Discontinued Routes:

• Express BusLink 104 – This route will be discontinued due to continued low ridership. CityLink Green and LocalLink 53 provides riders with alternate service options.

Route Adjustments:

• LocalLink 75 – The Parkway Center branch of the route will be discontinued due to very low ridership. LocalLink 75 will now end at Arundel Mills Mall.
   
• CityLink Purple – A segment of service from east of City Hall to Johns Hopkins Hospital will be discontinued. CityLink Purple will now terminate at City Hall. This change will provide improved reliability across the CityLink Purple route. Alternate service is available on LocalLink 56, CityLink Brown, CityLink Orange, CityLink Blue, and Metro Subway. 
   
• CityLink Yellow – With new service on LocalLink 32 starting, the UMBC branch of the CityLink Yellow will be discontinued. Service between UMBC and the trunk of CityLink Yellow will be part of the new LocalLink 32 route. 

For additional details on the Fall 2022 service change, visit mta.maryland.gov/fall2022 or call the Transit Information Contact Center at 410-539-5000. MDOT MTA reminds riders that CharmFlex 3- and 10-day passes offer riders a flexible fare option when traveling only a few times a week or on non-consecutive days. CharmFlex is available only on the CharmPass mobile ticketing app.

 

MDOT MTA is one of the largest multi-modal transit systems in the United States. MDOT MTA operates LocalLink and commuter buses, Light RailLink, Metro SubwayLink, MARC Train service and a comprehensive Mobility (paratransit) system. MDOT MTA’s goal is to provide safe, efficient and reliable transit across Maryland with world-class customer service. As a participating agency in APTA’s Health and Safety Commitment Program, MDOT MTA is dedicated to keeping our employees and passengers safe throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. To learn more, visit mta.maryland.gov, check us out on Facebook at facebook.com/mtamaryland and follow us on Twitter @mtamaryland.

 

 

 

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jerimiah Moerke                               
Office: 410-767-8367                         
Cell: 667-392-3625
[email protected] 

Paul Shepard
Office: 410-767-3935
Cell: 443-622-4181
[email protected]    

###