As part of Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan’s transit improvement plan to connect Baltimore, MARC Train riders and bike enthusiasts will enjoy the added benefit of a bike car on every MARC Penn Line weekend train between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., beginning Oct. 31. As a result, all 30 MARC weekend train trips on the Penn Line now will be equipped with bicycle access.
“Our multi-phase plan to connect Baltimore with a unified transit system takes into consideration the needs of bicyclists and pedestrians,” said MTA Administrator Paul Comfort. “Adding a bike car on every weekend MARC train will provide an added level of convenience and ease of travel for our bike-riding customers.”
The bike cars allow passengers to bring full-sized, non-collapsible bikes on board the train and safely secure them in one of 23 racks on board the car. Passenger seating for 40 is available adjacent to the bike racks. There is no additional charge to use the specially-designed cars and bike racks are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The addition of the bicycle car to MARC Penn Line trains is one of two immediate transit improvements announced by the Governor when he unveiled the new BaltimoreLink system. On Sunday, October 25, 2015, the MTA began enhanced service for West Baltimore residents on the QuickBus 40. The enhanced bus service increases frequency between the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid in Baltimore County and City Hall in Baltimore City.
The BaltimoreLink system will deliver a unified transit network and includes renaming existing Maryland Transit Administration modes: LocalLink (Local Bus), Light RailLink, Metro SubwayLink and MobilityLink to create an interconnected transit system. The BaltimoreLink system includes several components: CityLink, LocalLink, Light RailLink, Metro SubwayLink, MobilityLink, Express BusLink and BicycleLink.
A major component of the BaltimoreLink system is CityLink – 12 new high-frequency, color-coded bus routes that will improve reliability and better connect riders to Amtrak, Commuter Bus, Light RailLink, MARC Train, Metro SubwayLink and other services in Baltimore and the surrounding suburbs. In Baltimore City, new CityLink routes will run every 10 minutes during peak periods and every 15 minutes during midday.
The new CityLink buses will be specially branded and travel on color-coded routes with easy-to-read signage and detailed maps that will make the system easier to use. The CityLink bus routes, Light RailLink and Metro SubwayLink will form an interconnected, one-transfer system. On the new system, a rider will be able to get from any stop to any other stop with only one transfer. The BaltimoreLink system will debut when the new CityLink high-frequency bus service starts in summer 2017.
