FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Gradual Resumption of Service to Begin Sunday, July 12

BALTIMORE, MD (June 30, 2020) – Effective Sunday, July 12, the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) will begin transitioning from the service reductions first implemented March 17 under the COVID-19 health emergency to more normal transit schedules. With the gradual reopening of workplaces, businesses and personal services under Governor Larry Hogan’s Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery plan, this resumption of service will continue to support essential workers and healthcare personnel in addition to those riders returning to work and normal activities. A complete list of service changes is available at mta.maryland.gov/coronavirus. 

“MDOT MTA recognizes the vital role transit plays in providing access to jobs, schools, healthcare and recreation to the Baltimore region,” said MDOT MTA Administrator Kevin Quinn. “As MDOT MTA resumes more normal transit service, we are committed to making sure the safety of our riders and employees remains our highest priority.”

To continue to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, MDOT MTA reminds all riders that face coverings are required when riding transit. To ensure riders have access to face coverings, MDOT MTA is distributing 89,000 cloth face coverings received from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration at transit locations throughout the Baltimore area.  In another effort to protect MDOT MTA frontline workers, bus operators will continue to deploy the driver shields to create an additional barrier between themselves and riders, and all operators will wear personal protective equipment including face coverings. 

MDOT MTA also will continue enhanced disinfecting procedures of all vehicles and stations including high-passenger touchpoint areas. In addition to cleaning, MDOT MTA is updating features to include retrofitting buses with plastic seats and air ionizers that will further clean the air inside the bus.

To optimize the effectiveness of our efforts, we ask our riders to do their part as well by continuing to follow common-sense recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Practice social distancing whenever possible.
• Wash your hands as soon as possible after touching any surface that others do, and keep your hands away from your mouth, nose and eyes.
• Avoid contact with anyone who exhibits flu symptoms such as coughing, sneezing or difficulty breathing.
• Cough or sneeze into the crook of your arm instead of your hand, and if you use a tissue, throw it away immediately.

Beginning Sunday, July 12, the following service will be in effect:

• Local Bus: Regular summer weekday/weekend schedule.
  • Express Bus service and LocalLinks 38 and 92 will remain suspended.
  • Boarding: Front-door boarding will resume.
  • Fare Collection: We encourage riders to utilize CharmPass and CharmCard for a contact-free payment option to further protect our customers and team members.
  • Seating will not be restricted; riders can do their part by maintaining social distance where possible.
  • Operators may bypass stops to limit crowding on buses.
• Light Rail and Metro Subway - Regular weekday/weekend schedules.

Beginning Monday, July 13, the following service will be in effect:

• MARC - Penn, Camden and Brunswick lines will operate regular scheduled service.
• Commuter Bus - Enhanced "S" schedule service; regular service will resume July 27.

MDOT MTA is one of the largest multi-modal transit systems in the United States. MDOT MTA operates a Local Bus and Commuter Bus network, as well as Light RailLink, Metro SubwayLink, 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.

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Media Contacts
Brittany Marshall
Office: 410-767-8367
Cell: 443-970-0424
bmarshall1@mdot.maryland.gov

Paul Shepard
Office: 410-767-3935
Cell: 443-622-4181
pshepard@mdot.maryland.gov