Investing millions to provide public transportation for the growing number of commuters in Charles County and Southern Maryland, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) officially opened the new Commuter Bus Park & Ride in Waldorf Dec. 1, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Charles County officials.
Located near the intersection of Smallwood Parkway and MD 925, the $10.5 million lot, which officially opened on Nov. 9, includes parking for 550 vehicles with ADA-compliant spaces; a bus access loop with adjacent shelters, sidewalks and lighting; and widening along MD 925 with a new traffic signal and crosswalk to enhance vehicular and pedestrian safety.
Additionally, the facility was built with environmentally-friendly “pervious” (porous) concrete pavers that allow rainwater to pass through the parking surface instead of running directly into drains. Beneath the pervious material, water can seep slowly into the ground and filter naturally. This reduces the amount of nitrogen and phosphorous from entering the Chesapeake Bay through tributaries.
“With the Washington, D.C., region ranked one of the most traffic-choked areas in the country, it’s no surprise that ridership on MTA’s Commuter Bus system in Charles County and Southern Maryland represents one of the fastest growing segments of transit in Maryland,” said MTA Administrator Paul Comfort. “The completion of this environmentally-friendly Commuter Bus facility will make it easier and more convenient for Charles County residents to get to their jobs and helps MTA meet the growing demand for transit in this region.”
Maryland Delegate Edith Patterson said, “The opening of this new transit park and ride is a testament to the state and county’s resolve and commitment to our commuters and the many citizens who travel from Southern Maryland to the metropolitan area. This facility also reaffirms our resolve to provide relief to our commuters in an area that is safe and strategically located.”
According to Charles County Commissioner President Peter F. Murphy, “Completion of this park and ride is a great example of state and local government working together to improve transportation options for Charles County residents.”
Over the past 10 years, Southern Maryland Commuter Bus ridership has increased 100 percent, from 2,000 daily riders to more than 4,000 daily riders today. MTA operates 14 Commuter Bus routes throughout Southern Maryland and the opening of the Waldorf facility marks nine park and ride lots for Charles County commuters.
Thirteen commuter buses will depart the Commuter Bus Park & Ride in Waldorf each weekday between 4:45-8 a.m., with 14 buses arriving between 3:45-7:45 p.m. and one midday bus arriving at 1:30 p.m. During peak hours, buses run every 15 to 20 minutes. The 610 and 620 commuter buses, operated by Martz Gold Line, provide service throughout Charles County and into Washington, D.C., to large employment centers like the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Approximately 275 commuters who parked at the St. Charles Towne Center – Dick’s Sporting Goods lot now will catch MTA’s Commuter Bus service from the new Waldorf Park & Ride.
