Proposed Commuter Bus Service Changes

Download the full service change proposal (PDF)

On September 1, 2023, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) released the FY24 – 29 Draft Consolidated Transportation Plan (CTP) that outlined the Department’s six-year capital program. The document highlighted a $2.1 billion fiscal imbalance between revenues and planned expenditures over the program period.

Through further examination of the budget through the CTP Tour process, a $3.3 billion deficit was realized. To balance the budget, MDOT was required to make tough decisions on how to spend limited resources to continue providing services that support communities and the economy. MDOT and each of its transportation modes reduced their operating budget by eight percent and made reductions in their capital program. At that time, Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) anticipated eliminating Commuter Bus service in its entirety.

In December 2023 the Moore-Miller Administration engaged closely with local and state officials to learn more about the impact of potential transportation budget reductions and key priorities for funding restoration. Based on stakeholder feedback, on January 17, 2024, the Administration identified $150 million in additional support in FY25 to address Maryland’s critical transportation needs. This proposed funding restored previously planned reductions to MDOT’s budget for one year, including $28 million dedicated to the Maryland Transit Administration’s (MTA)’s Commuter Bus service.

MTA is taking a targeted and balanced approach toward investing these funds to maintain service that best matches current demand, centering around equity in planning the proposed changes to Commuter Bus service, system wide. Since the pandemic, flexible work schedules and remote work have become more commonplace, impacting many transportation services, including Commuter Bus. Historically, much of the Commuter Bus ridership base has been Federal employees traveling from outlying counties into Washington, D.C. As flexible and remote work continues, demand is no longer aligning with this type of commuter-focused service. On average, across all routes, only 17% of seating capacity is being utilized. 

Pre-pandemic, Commuter Bus operated 635 trips across 36 routes, with an average daily ridership of 12,000. Post-pandemic Commuter Bus operates 599 trips across 36 routes, with average daily ridership of 5,100.

The proposed service changes are designed to ensure that a minimum level of service within much of the Commuter Bus service area is retained.

Proposed Discontinued Service

The proposed service changes would discontinue service of the following eight routes:

• 203 – Columbia to Bethesda
• 220 – Annapolis to Washington, D.C.
• 240 – Kent Island to Washington, D.C.
• 260 – Severna Park & Davidsonville to Washington, D.C.
• 410 – Churchville to Baltimore
• 411 – Hickory to Hopkins Hospital/Baltimore
• 810 – Pindell to Washington, D.C.
• 850 – Prince Frederick/Dunkirk to Suitland/ Washington, D.C.

Proposed Service Modifications

The proposed service change would reduce the total number of trips on the following 26
routes:

• 201 – Gaithersburg Park & Ride to BWI Marshall Airport
• 204 – Frederick to College Park
• 210 – Kent Island to Annapolis/Baltimore
• 230 – Annapolis/Severna Park to Washington, D.C.
• 305 – Columbia & Silver Spring to Washington, D.C.
• 310 – Columbia to Baltimore
• 315 – Columbia & Silver Spring to Washington, D.C.
• 320 – Laurel to Baltimore
• 325 – Columbia & Silver Spring to Washington, D.C.
• 335 – Clarksville & Columbia to Washington, D.C.
• 345 – Ellicott City & Columbia to Washington, D.C.
• 420 – Hickory to Hopkins Hospital/Baltimore
• 505 – Hagerstown to Shady Grove/Rock Spring
• 515 – Frederick to Shady Grove/Rock Spring
• 610 – Waldorf to Washington, D.C.
• 620 – Waldorf to Washington, D.C.
• 630 – La Plata/Waldorf to Washington, D.C.
• 640 – Waldorf & Accokeek to Washington, D.C.
• 650 – La Plata, Waldorf & Accokeek to Washington, D.C.
• 705 – Charlotte Hall/Waldorf to Washington, D.C.
• 715 – Charlotte Hall/Waldorf to Washington, D.C.
• 725 – California/Charlotte Hall to Washington, D.C.
• 735 – Charlotte Hall/Waldorf to Washington, D.C.
• 820 – North Beach/PG Equestrian Center to Washington, D.C.
• 830 – Sunderland/Dunkirk to Washington, D.C.
• 840 – St. Leonard/ Prince Frederick to Washington, D.C.

Proposed Service – No Change

The proposed service change would not change the following routes:

• 215 – Baltimore to Annapolis
• 250 – Kent Island/Davidsonville to Washington, D.C.

If adopted, these changes will be implemented on Monday, July 1, 2024.