MTA Proposes Bus Service Enhancements

Sept. 15, 2014
Service improvements part of effort to build a better bus system.

As part of a comprehensive plan to build a better bus system that will conveniently connect customers to where they want to go, the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) on Sept. 15 announced several service enhancements to its local bus network. The proposed improvements are part of the phase one plan of the Bus Network Improvement Project (BNIP), which will improve the local bus network in the following categories: reliability, efficiency, real-time notification and connections to new job centers.

Proposed local bus enhancements, resulting from input from riders and other stakeholders, include:

  • New 26 bus line from Downtown Baltimore’s Fayette and Charles Streets to Dundalk Marine Terminal will be a main service option to the Amazon Distribution Center on Broening Highway
  • New 31 bus line from State Center Metro Station to CCBC in Dundalk will allow for direct connections to areas of Dundalk, Canton, Fells Point, Harbor East, and downtown Baltimore without having to transfer to another bus.

In addition, modifications are proposed to existing bus lines 11, 20, 30 and 36. The modifications include splitting some lines to improve reliability, improving frequency on heavily used corridors, and improving efficiency by reducing service on duplicative or less-used services.

“The goal of the Bus Network Improvement Project is to deliver meaningful and substantive improvements to our local bus system – the heart and soul of our transit system,” said MTA Administrator Robert Smith. “These proposed changes will improve service and reliability to our customers, while connecting residents to new jobs at the Amazon Distribution Center. Enhancing transit service is key to our efforts to help us meet the O’Malley-Brown Administration’s goal of doubling transit ridership by 2020.”

The proposed service improvements will go into effect on or around Feb. 8, following an extensive public outreach process that includes public hearings.

Public comment also will be accepted in writing through Nov. 20 via email or mail. An online discussion, which will not be part of the official hearing record through Nov. 20.