For nearly 200 years, public transportation has transformed the way Maryland residents travel to work,
shopping destinations, recreational areas and more. As we continue to serve our citizens in the 21st 
century, our commitment to "old fashioned" customer service remains as timeless as ever.

Maryland Transit Timeline

1885 – Light Rail’s predecessor, America’s first electrical railway on the Hampden Line

 

1909 – Buses make their debut in Baltimore

  

1921 – Double-decker buses debut on Charles Street and University Parkway following year

 

1922 - Trackless trolleys begin operation

 

1935 – BTC replaced UR&E as one company, operating streetcars, trackless trolleys and

            buses. Continues operation until 1970.

 

1938 – First appearance of BTC Articulated buses begin on the “Q” Line to Halethorpe

 

1963 – Parsons, Brinckerhoff, Quade & Douglas hired to produce transit plan for Baltimore

 

1964 – Congress passes the Urban Mass Transportation Act supplying Federal aid

 

1969 – Walter J. Addison becomes first Administrator of newly formed MTA

 

1971 – BTC becomes Metropolitan Transit Authority - Addison first official Administrator

 

1971 – The MTA Police Force is formed

 

1973 – MTA takes over most suburban bus operations and rail commuter services  

 

1974 – First Metro groundbreaking at Bolton Hill Station, later renamed State Center

 

1978 - MTA takes over Mobility service from Lutheran Family Services

 

1978 – Groundbreaking at Charles Center Metro Station

 

1979 – L.A. Kimball becomes second MTA Administrator

 

1981 – MTA and Local 1300 sign labor agreement for 300 jobs created by Metro Subway

 

1982 – Dave Wagner becomes third MTA Administrator

 

1982 – First lift-equipped buses added into revenue service and “Call-a-Lift” begins

 

1982 – Call Center receives TTY teletypewriter service

 

1983 – Metro Subway service begins November 21 between Baltimore and Reisterstown Plaza

 

1983 – State Commuter rail service becomes MARC (Maryland Rail Commuter)

 

1983 – Law passed banning smoking, eating, littering and playing radios without earphones

 

1984 – Ron Hartman becomes fourth MTA Administrator

 

1985 - Metro Subway adds Saturday service

 

1986 – Logo changes from “Flying T” to new italic MTA logo

 

1986 – New electronic fareboxes hit the streets

 

1987 – Section ‘B’ of Metro opens July 20 to Milford Mill, Old Court and Owings Mills

 

1988 – Metro Subway hours extended until midnight

 

1989 – Interactive Voice System added to Information Service’s system at the Call Center

 

1992 – Light Rail opens on April 2 between Timonium and Camden Yards

 

1992 – MTA officially assumes responsibility for Statewide Commuter Rail (MARC)

 

1992 – Reduced fares for senior citizens begins

 

1993 – John Agro becomes fifth MTA Administrator

 

1995 – MTA’s first fleet of Articulated buses arrive

 

1995 -  Section 'C' of Metro Subway opens June 1 to Shot Tower and Johns Hopkins stations

 

1996 – New MTA dedicated school service begins in Baltimore City

 

1997 – Ron Freeland becomes sixth MTA Administrator

 

1997 – New Light Rail extension to Hunt Valley opens on September 9

 

1997 – New Light Rail extensions open on December 6 to Penn Station and BWI

 

1999 – MTA launches first in nation in-house produced TV show "In Touch With The MTA"

 

1999 – MTA starts website mta.maryland.gov

 

1999 – Federal Government grant for $120 million for Light Rail Double Tracking project

 

2001 – Virginia White appointed MTA Acting Administrator

 

2001 – MTA logo changed to 3-colors to better reflect the statewide service it provides

 

2002 – Robert Smith becomes seventh MTA Administrator

 

2002 – Sunday Metro Subway Service is regular service option for customers

 

2002 – MTA hosts APTA national convention

 

2004 – Lisa Dickerson becomes eighth MTA Administrator

 

2004 – MTA Mobility becomes first paratransit provider in nation to offer 'smart' cards

 

2004 – New lighted bus shelters installed in partnership with Viacom, now CBS

 

2004 – Light Rail double tracking completed from Cromwell Station to North Avenue  

 

2004 – Taxi Access for Mobility customers debuts in June

 

2005 – MTA Police launch Operation Zeus security exercises

 

2005 - Light Rail double tracking completed from North Avenue to Timonium

 

2005 – Hamburg Street Light Rail Stop opened for full-time service in July

 

2005 – Automated fareboxes installed capable of accepting new ‘Go Pass’ and ‘smart’ cards

 

2006 – Light Rail Double Tracking completed with service to Hunt Valley restored

 

2006 – Ten Hybrid Diesel/Electric buses added to Local Bus fleet

 

2006 – New 'smart' card ticket vending machines installed at all Light Rail and Metro Subway stations.

 

2006 – Metro’s 81 escalators and 33 elevator renovations are completed

2007 – Paul J. Wiedefeld becomes ninth MTA Administrator on March 1