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MTA NEWSLETTER
APRIL 30, 2009
MARC Diesel Locomotives Update
 The first of MARC’s new diesel locomotives, MARC 11, arrived in Baltimore on March 16, 2009. MARC 10 departed Pueblo, CO. on Friday, April 17 for shipment to MARC’s locomotive facility in Baltimore, Maryland. Upon arrival of the second locomotive, dynamic acceptance testing will be performed on Amtrak and CSX tracks. Training on the new locomotive is now being administered to MARC’s operating and maintenance contractors.
Stimulus Hits the MARC!
Governor Martin O’Malley announced that the Board of Public Works (BPW) has approved another transportation initiative to be funded by President Barack Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. With the approval, the Maryland Transit Administration will soon begin installing new public address and customer information systems at MARC commuter rail stations across the state.
“Few things are more frustrating than having to listen to garbled announcements while waiting for your train at a station,” said Governor O’Malley. “To create an environment where more people choose transit, we must make the experience as convenient and customer friendly as possible. This investment will help accomplish that goal while putting people to work and furthering our economic recovery.”
Also included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Projects are renovations to the elevators and the heating and air systems at the BWI MARC Station, platform rehabilitation at the Laurel MARC Station, improvements at the MARC Martins Airport Yard, and cosmetic improvements at the MARC Penn Station.
More information on Maryland transportation projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is available at www.marylandtransportation.com .
MARC Self-Service Ticket Kiosks (SST)
Installation of the SST’s has been completed. Camden, Brunswick, Martinsburg, and Frederick Stations have agents as well as the ticketing machines. All machines will be available one half hour before the first train in the morning until 9 PM at night, Monday through Friday.
SST’s are accessible to the visually impaired. With the insertion of a headset, supplied by the commuter, all SST’s have audio to assist with the ticket purchasing process.
MARC Recycle News
 Recycle Bins are located at various MARC stations as requested by many of our commuters. MARC received the bins from the Paper Retriever Recycling Company on a trial basis. Unfortunately, after several months we are in danger of losing these bins due to the low volume of recycled materials collected. Accepted materials include newspapers, magazines, mail, school and office papers, and catalogs. These bins are located on the Camden Line at the Dorsey and Savage Stations, as well as the Odenton Station on the Penn Line. We need your help to make this program a success, as we would like to add more bins to other MARC locations. For more information about the Paper Retriever Recycling Company visit www.paperretriever.com. Let MARC help you to go green!
Penn Line Train 521 Schedule Change
Effective Monday, April 20, 2009, the schedule for Train 521 changed between Baltimore and Washington ONLY. Note: Penn North times will remain the same.
The new departure times are:
Penn Station - 9:47 am
W. Baltimore - 9:54 am
Halethorpe - 9:58 am
BWI - 10:06 am
Odenton - 10:13 am
Bowie - 10:18 am
Seabrook - 10:24 am
New Carrollton - 10:28 am
Washington - 10:43 am arrival
Rockville Station
Renovations to the Rockville Station have been completed. The new and improved station will now include a waiting area and a Self-Service Ticket Kiosk (SST). Station hours will be 5:15 AM to 9 PM, Monday through Friday.
Laurel Station Improvements Update
Completed activities for the week of 4/6-4/10/09:
· Performed additional “Test Pitting” to positively determine location of Fiber optic cable.
· Removed Phase III platform decking, beams and joists to allow simultaneous completion of Phase I and Phase III.
· Fabricated and installed temporary/removable platform to allow Phase III work to be performed with Phase I work.
· Began modifications to Phase I and Phase III existing concrete piers.
· Forwarded numerous submittals for review and approval.
· Ordered materials upon approval of submittals.
Meet the MARC Train Managers
MAY 2009
· Union Station
Wednesday, May 13
3 PM -7:30 PM
· Aberdeen Station
Tuesday, May 19
5:30 AM - 9:15 AM
· Halethorpe Station
Thursday, May 28
4 PM– 7:30 PM
AMTRAK’s National Train Day
Saturday, May 9, 2009, AMTRAK will hold its second annual National Train Day in Washington’s Union Station. This year’s theme is “Discover the Rail Way” which celebrates the past, present, and future of train travel. A MARC locomotive will be on display in the station along with live music and entertainment, a kid’s corner, and interactive green exhibits. Members of MARC staff will be on location with schedules and giveaways.
MARC Safety Tip
Only cross tracks in stations on the Brunswick or Camden Lines at designated pedestrian crossings, and never in front of a moving train. Never cross directly in front of, or behind a stationary train. There could be a train coning in the opposite direction that you cannot see until it is too late. NEVER climb through or under a stopped freight or passenger train.
Security Awareness: Be Responsive
 If you find something suspicious, your first response should be to alert a transit employee or law enforcement officer. Do not touch suspicious items or confront someone with suspicious behavior! Call 1-800-492 –TIPS (8477).
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MARC On-Time Performance
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January, February, March 2009
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Year to Date
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January
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February
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March
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Baltimore
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88%
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89%
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89%
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86%
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Perryville
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82%
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77%
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87%
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82%
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Penn Line Totals
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87%
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86%
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88%
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85%
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Camden Line Totals
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92%
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89%
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96%
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88%
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Brunswick
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97%
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96%
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98%
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99%
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Frederick
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93%
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91%
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96%
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93%
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Martinsburg, WV
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91%
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85%
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96%
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92%
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Brunswick Line Totals
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94%
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91%
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97%
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95%
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System Totals
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90%
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88%
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92%
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88%
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MARC Ridership for January, February 2009
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Penn
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Camden
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Brunswick
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Totals
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Riders per day Jan. 2009
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19,660
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4,112
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7,099
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30,871
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% Change from Jan. 2008
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0.5%
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0.7%
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-4.2%
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-0.6%
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Riders per day Feb. 2009
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20,419
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5,358
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7,822
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33,599
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% Change from Feb. 2008
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8.4%
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13.9%
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7.4%
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9.0%
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For more information about the MTA and MARC, visit mta.maryland.gov or call us at 1-800-325-RAIL (7245).
You may also email us at http://mta.maryland.gov/resources/contactmta/ .
Thank you for using MTA MARC Train Services.
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