BALTIMORE, MD (July 23, 2021) – The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) announces that Local Bus service changes effective August 29, 2021, include bus route improvements that support job centers at Tradepoint Atlantic and Cockeysville, creation of a new Express BusLink route between West Baltimore and Tradepoint Atlantic and elimination of a surcharge for Express Bus riders. Fall service changes are being implemented after a series of public hearings and a 30-day public review and comment period, which were instrumental in identifying final route alignments.

"As Maryland's economy continues to reopen, MDOT MTA is focused on building stronger connections to fit our riders' need for flexibility and reliability as they return to on-site work," said MDOT MTA Acting Administrator Holly Arnold. "We continue to modify and enhance systems and routes throughout the agency to meet the expected increase in demand for public transit in coming months."

The full scope of Local Bus service modifications reflects MDOT MTA's commitment to prioritizing equitable access to transit service while improving reliability. As part of that commitment to equity, the Express Bus 60-cent fare surcharge is being eliminated. As a result, Express Bus fares will align with Local Bus fares. Express Bus service also will resume full scheduled service, effective August 29.

In addition to the new route enhancements and fare changes introduced during the public comment period, MDOT MTA also proposed the launch of new three- and 10-day pass options that reflect expected new post-pandemic commute patterns as a result of flexible on-site work schedules. The new options will offer a discount on day passes for users of the CharmPass mobile app. Further details on the new fare options will be available shortly.

A summary of the Local Bus route changes follows:

Service Enhancements

• LocalLink 63 & Express BusLink 163:
  • The LocalLink 63 will provide improved access to Tradepoint Atlantic, Northeast Baltimore and Johns Hopkins Bayview. The selected routing will utilize Lombard Street, Highland Avenue, Edison Highway, Sinclair Lane and Moravia Road to connect with the Gardenville Park and Ride on Belair Road.
  • The NEW Express BusLink 163 route will provide fast, direct service from West Baltimore MARC to Tradepoint Atlantic. The route will use US-40 via downtown along Eutaw Street, with connections to Metro Subway Link and Light Rail Link, Pratt/Lombard Streets, then travel on I-395/I-95 to Holabird Avenue, Broening Highway and along Dundalk Avenue on the existing LocalLink 63 routing to Tradepoint Atlantic.
• LocalLink 93:
  • The modified LocalLink 93 route will realign service in Cockeysville from a section of Warren Road to York Road to improve access to essential jobs and retail businesses, including the Super Walmart and Home Depot along Industry Lane.
• Express BusLink Service:
  • Service will resume on all Express BusLink routes, except Express BusLink 164

Discontinued Routes

• Pilot service to Relay on the CityLink Yellow will be discontinued due to low ridership.
• Express BusLink 164 will be discontinued due to low ridership. Alternate service is provided on LocalLink 67.

In addition to the modifications for Local Bus service, MDOT MTA previously announced resumption of full service for MARC Train and Commuter Bus, effective August 30. Both MARC and Commuter Bus have operated on reduced schedules since November 2020 in response to COVID-19 ridership impacts.

For additional details on the Fall 2021 Service Change, visit mta.maryland.gov/fall2021 or call the Transit Information Contact Center at 410-539-5000. MDOT MTA reminds riders that face coverings, per the federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Executive Order, are still required while on buses and trains.

MDOT MTA is one of the largest multi-modal transit systems in the United States. MDOT MTA operates systems that include Local Bus, Commuter Bus, Light RailLink, Metro SubwayLink, MARC Train Service and a comprehensive Mobility paratransit network. MDOT MTA’s goal is to provide safe, efficient and reliable transit across Maryland with world-class customer service. As a participating agency in APTA’s Health and Safety Commitment Program, MDOT MTA is dedicated to keeping our employees and passengers safe throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. To learn more, visit mta.maryland.gov, check us out on Facebook at facebook.com/mtamaryland and follow us on Twitter @mtamaryland.

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