FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Statewide Transit Innovation Grants Will Help Improve Transit Safety and Reliability

BALTIMORE, MD (September 14, 2018) – The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) today announced the award of five Statewide Transit Innovation Grants (STIG) totaling $515,377 to Baltimore City and Cecil, Charles, Howard and Queen Anne’s counties for projects that improve transit services in these communities. This competitive grant program is in its first year and allows local transit agencies and county officials to apply for annual state funding to plan, design or construct innovative transit projects.

“In its inaugural year, the Statewide Transit Innovation Grant is supporting local transit projects that will benefit all Marylanders,” said Transportation Secretary Pete K. Rahn.

STIG grants are being awarded to:

• Baltimore City ($50,000) for signage and maps at shared Charm City Circulator and BaltimoreLink downtown bus stops.
   
• Cecil County ($108,752) to develop the Easy Pay Mobile Ticketing and Transfer System Project that will automate fare collection, give transit riders trip planning capabilities using real-time tracking and integrate with third-party transit providers for mobility options like Uber, Lyft and bike-sharing services.
   
• Charles County ($177,600) to install security camera systems at two park and ride facilities that serve as transfer hubs for MDOT MTA commuter buses and VanGO, the county’s locally-operated transit system.
   
• Howard County ($50,000) for the rollout of a modern mobile fare payment system for the Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland (RTA) that will allow riders to view and manage their account; add funds using a credit, debit or prepaid card; purchase tickets, add authorized users who can add funds to their account; quickly view the RTA website; and receive alerts, notifications and customized messages from RTA.
   
• Queen Anne’s County ($129,025) to purchase an innovative scheduling software system – to include tablets with real-time updates and Global Positioning System (GPS) – to create a faster and easier process for demand response and deviating fixed routes.

“We are pleased that these local jurisdictions already have stepped up to explore innovative transit projects that will help improve the transit experience for their riders,” said MDOT MTA Administrator Kevin Quinn.

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((link sends e-mail)

Paul Shepard
Office: 410-767-3935
Cell: 443-622-4181
pshepard@mta.maryland.gov(link sends e-mail)

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