FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
MDOT MTA Expanding Recruitment Efforts;
Local Impact Reflects Nationwide Labor Shortage
BALTIMORE, MD (June 28, 2022) – In response to a shortage of operators, the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) today announced a temporary adjustment in Light Rail service to align service levels with operator availability and ridership, which remains low compared to pre-pandemic levels. Beginning, Sunday, July 10, weekday trains will operate on a modified Saturday schedule. There is no change to weekend schedules. This temporary service adjustment will ensure that Light Rail riders have a schedule they can rely on.
“We recognize the critical role that Light Rail and transit in general play in the lives of our riders,” said MDOT MTA Administrator Holly Arnold. “While we are disappointed that we have had to take this step, these temporary adjustments will ensure our riders can count on their scheduled train arriving on time. We are working diligently to return to our normal service level.”
Beginning Sunday July 10, weekday trains will operate on a modified Saturday schedule with trains arriving every 15 minutes at a majority of stations. Trains will continue to alternate to BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport and Glen Burnie with a frequency of 30 minutes to each south end destination. During peak hours or special events, Light Rail will adjust to service demands by increasing trainsets to handle additional passenger volume. The new schedule will be reevaluated in the fall based on operator availability.
In response to the shortage of operators MDOT MTA is investing resources in hiring additional operators by increasing outreach efforts that include job fairs, advertising, social media and direct hiring of experienced operators. Information on the application process can be found on the MDOT MTA website at www.mta.maryland.gov/employment-mta.
The shortage of Light RailLink operators is a local example of a nationwide issue that has challenged schools needing school bus drivers, businesses seeking commercial truck drivers and numerous transit agencies across the United States.
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:
Paul Shepard
Office: 410-767-3935
Cell: 443-622-4181
pshepard@mdot.maryland.gov
Veronica Battisti
Office: 410-767-8748
Cell: 410-598-4168
vbattisti@mdot.maryland.gov
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