Each year, both horse racing enthusiasts and festival lovers make their way to Pimlico Race Course for the running of the Preakness. To fully enjoy the experience, the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) encourages everyone to leave their vehicles at home and take public transportation. Local Bus, Light RailLink, Metro SubwayLink and MARC Train can provide a safe, reliable and affordable way to reach all the fun and excitement. This includes Black-Eyed Susan Day – deemed the Ultimate Girls’ Day Out – where one of Pimlico’s oldest stakes races unfolds on Friday, May 18.
“The Preakness has been a Maryland tradition since the race’s inception in 1873,” said MDOT MTA Chief Operations Officer Sean Adgerson. “We urge everyone heading to Pimlico for all Preakness Day festivities to take transit so they can fully enjoy the day.”
MDOT MTA expects to transport between 5,000 and 6,000 people on Preakness Day and Local Bus, Light RailLink and Metro SubwayLink services will operate between 7:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. The fare for all local MDOT MTA services is $1.80 one-way, $3.60 round-trip and $4.20 for a Day Pass, which includes unlimited travel on MDOT MTA Local Buses, Light RailLink and Metro SubwayLink for that day should anyone want to enjoy more of what Baltimore City has to offer. Shuttle buses also will run from the Rogers Avenue Metro SubwayLink Station and from Poly-Western High School to take people to and from Pimlico Race Course.
Below is a list of transit options:
LOCAL BUS – LocalLinks 30 (via Northern Parkway), 31 (via West Belvedere Avenue), 34 (at Northern Parkway and Park Heights Avenue), 85 (via Park Heights Avenue), 91 (via Mondawmin Metro to Sinai Hospital), 92 (Pikesville Circulator) and 94 (via Fort McHenry to Sinai Hospital) all stop near the racetrack.
LIGHT RAILLINK – Take Light RailLink service to the Cold Spring Lane stop. Then, take the connecting shuttle bus to Pimlico. Shuttle bus service to the track begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m. Return shuttle bus service runs all day to the Cold Spring Lane stop with expanded return service beginning at 6:15 p.m. and ending at 7:30 p.m. A $4.20 Day Pass is required.
METRO SUBWAYLINK – Take Metro SubwayLink to the Rogers Avenue Station. Then, take the connecting shuttle bus to the track. Shuttle bus service to Pimlico begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m. Return shuttle bus service runs all day to the Rogers Avenue Station with expanded return service beginning at 6:15 p.m. and ending at 7:30 p.m. A $4.20 Day Pass is required.
MARC TRAIN – For those traveling outside Baltimore, MARC Weekend Service on the Penn Line is the perfect option. Take MARC Penn Line service to Baltimore Penn Station. Take the Penn/Camden Light RailLink shuttle bus to the Mt. Royal/MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art) Light RailLink stop and transfer to a northbound train to the Cold Spring Lane stop. Take the connecting shuttle bus service to the track. Shuttle bus service to Pimlico begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m. Return shuttle bus service runs all day to the Cold Spring Lane Light RailLink stop with expanded return service beginning at 6:15 p.m. and ending at 7:30 p.m. A MARC Train ticket and $4.20 Day Pass are required.
MDOT MTA is one of the largest multi-modal transit systems in the United States. MDOT MTA operates LocalLink and commuter buses, Light RailLink, Metro SubwayLink, Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) Train service and a comprehensive Mobility (paratransit) system. MDOT MTA’s goal is to provide safe, efficient and reliable transit across Maryland with world-class customer service. To learn more, visit mdot.maryland.gov or mta.maryland.gov, check us out on Facebook at facebook.com/mtamaryland and follow us on Twitter @mtamaryland.
Media Contacts
Sandy Arnette
Office: 410-767-8367
Cell: 443-835-7984
sarnette@mta.maryland.gov
Paul Shepard
Office: 410-767-3935
Cell: 443-622-4181
pshepard@mta.maryland.gov
