BALTIMORE, MD (JANUARY 25, 2017) – The Maryland Department of Transportation’s MTA is teaming up with Super Bowl winning, Baltimore Ravens Quarterback Joe Flacco to promote Governor Larry Hogan’s BaltimoreLink plan. The MTA is proud to partner with Flacco to help spread the word about the transformative BaltimoreLink transit improvement plan as the June 2017 launch approaches.
“Our administration has made a long-term commitment to transform Baltimore’s antiquated and broken transit system,” said Governor Hogan. “This partnership with Joe Flacco shows how the administration is looking for new and innovative ways to let the people of the Baltimore region know about BaltimoreLink and the transformative changes it will deliver to create a more reliable and timely transit experience and better connections to where they live and work.”
“I’m excited to join the Maryland Department of Transportation’s MTA team as they take the field with the faster, more reliable transit system called BaltimoreLink,” said Flacco. “BaltimoreLink will transform the way you get around town. I know what it takes to win and this new transit system is a winner for Baltimore.”
“We are committed to delivering a new and improved transit system to connect Marylanders in Greater Baltimore to jobs more reliably and efficiently," said Transportation Secretary Pete K. Rahn.
“With 12 new, color-coded high-frequency bus lines in addition to new, direct suburb-to-suburb routes, you’ll be able to count on faster, more reliable connections to link you to major economic and entertainment centers,” said MTA Administrator and CEO Paul Comfort. “We are thrilled to partner with Joe Flacco to help spread the word about all of BaltimoreLink’s transformative changes.”
Flacco, who was drafted by the Ravens in 2008, wears number five on game days and will have his likeness adorn five MTA buses that will serve routes throughout Baltimore.
When Governor Hogan first announced BaltimoreLink in October 2015, the MTA launched a robust outreach program to educate the public about the plan and get feedback. As a result, the MTA has delivered a plan to achieve MTA’s goal of providing safe, efficient and reliable transit across Maryland with world-class customer service, BaltimoreLink will:
* improve service quality and reliability;
* maximize access to high-frequency transit;
* strengthen connections between MTA’s bus and rail routes;
* align the network with existing and emerging job centers; and
* engage riders, employees, communities and elected officials in the planning process.
BaltimoreLink is the multi-phase plan to create an interconnected transit system by redesigning the entire local and express bus systems throughout Baltimore and adds 12 new high-frequency, color-coded bus routes that improve connections to jobs and to MARC Train, Metro Subway and Light Rail. BaltimoreLink transforms Baltimore’s half-a-century-old and outdated transit network with implementation of bus-only dedicated lanes, installation of transit signal priority, construction of a transfer hub network, rebranding and replacement of more than 6,000 transit signs, expanded commuter bus service, new shared bicycle availability, access to car-sharing options and more. New Express BusLink launched its suburb-to-suburb service in June 2016. As promised, expanded and new Commuter Bus service has seen launches in the summer and fall of 2016 with more coming this spring. High-frequency CityLink routes launch in the summer of 2017.
The Maryland Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) is one of the largest multi-modal transit systems in the United States. MTA operates Local and Commuter buses, Light Rail, Metro Subway, Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) Train service and a comprehensive Paratransit (Mobility) system. MTA also manages the Call-a-Ride system, and directs funding and statewide assistance to Locally Operated Transit Systems (LOTS) in each of Maryland’s 23 counties, Annapolis, Baltimore City and Ocean City. MDOT is a customer-driven leader that delivers safe, sustainable, intelligent and exceptional transportation solutions in order to connect our customers to life’s opportunities. 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
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