FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Online Survey Invites Public to Help Update Vision and Goals for MARC
BALTIMORE, MD (October 19, 2023) – The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration is seeking public input on the development of a new guiding plan for the Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) train service, and has launched an online survey to gather ideas and feedback. The MARC Growth and Transformation Plan will update and expand upon the MARC Cornerstone Plan, which provides strategic priorities for the system and outlines capital investment needed to achieve those initiatives. The Cornerstone Plan was last updated in 2019.
“The way Marylanders want and need to travel has changed since COVID-19,” said Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold. “The MARC Growth and Transformation Plan process is an opportunity for the agency – with the help of our riders and other community stakeholders – to redefine regional rail service for our state.”
MARC Train Service is a commuter rail system comprised of the Brunswick Line, Camden Line and Penn Line. These three rail lines provide direct access to Washington, D.C., along with connections to Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall Airport, inter-city bus services via Penn Station in Baltimore, and several direct connections to Amtrak’s inter-city services. The Camden and Brunswick Lines operate on weekdays, while the Penn Line operates seven days a week.
The Maryland Transit Administration is seeking the public’s input in redefining the vision and goals of the MARC system so that it meets the needs of all Marylanders. The updated document will outline the future of the system and include an implementation strategy with an associated set of necessary capital projects. Projects included will be designed to respond to the investment programs defined in the 2022 Maryland Regional Rail Transformation Act.
“As we continue the mission outlined by the Moore-Miller Administration to create a comprehensive, multimodal and world-class transportation network, we must chart a course for MARC service that’s connected, accessible and equitable for all,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “We urge all Marylanders to join us in this effort, and share your ideas, your needs and your hopes for the future of the state’s passenger rail system.”
An online survey seeking public input is now available and will remain open through December 4, 2023. To take the survey, please visit mta.maryland.gov/marc-growth-plan. The Maryland Transit Administration strongly encourages the public to take part in the survey and share your perspective on the future of MARC. Additional information and plan materials will be available on the project webpage. Questions can be directed to the project team by emailing marcplanning@mdot.maryland.gov.
Following the close of the survey period, work will begin on a market analysis, the identification of long-term service objectives and creation of a five-year capital plan. Throughout the process, the agency will continue to engage with stakeholders to refine opportunities to transform MARC from commuter rail to regional rail service. In fall 2024, the Maryland Transit Administration will release the MARC Growth and Transformation Plan.
The final plan will apply relevant elements of the agency’s Strategic Plan and draw from the recently published MARC Brunswick Line Expansion Study Technical Report. The information gathered during public meetings held in conjunction with the Brunswick study, as well as other stakeholder feedback, will be used in MARC Growth and Transformation Plan development.
The Maryland Transit Administration is one of the largest multi-modal transit systems in the United States, operating systems that include Local Bus, Commuter Bus, Light Rail, Metro Subway, MARC Train Service and a comprehensive Mobility paratransit network. Our goal is to provide safe, efficient and reliable transit across Maryland with world-class customer service. 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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