FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Maryland Transit Administration Also Participating in Baltimore City’s Veterans Day Parade
BALTIMORE, MD (November 8, 2023) – The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration will recognize Veterans Day by offering free transit rides for all U.S. military veterans, active-duty military, and members of the National Guard and Reserves on Saturday, November 11. This marks the fifth consecutive year the Maryland Transit Administration has provided free transit across the agency’s fixed-route services to honor our nation’s military personnel.
“Recognizing the selfless service of our veterans and military personnel, we proudly offer a day of free transit,” said Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold. “It is our heartfelt way of thanking these incredible individuals for their dedication and sacrifice.”
Free transit will be available on Maryland Transit Administration Local Bus, Metro Subway, Light Rail, MARC Train, Commuter Bus, and Mobility. Eligible riders need to present one of three IDs:
- U.S. Department of Defense issued ID (Armed Forces/Uniformed Services/Military Retiree);
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs issued ID; or
- Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration Veteran designation on a driver’s license or state ID.
While military personnel can ride for free on Veterans Day, customers are reminded the CharmPass mobile ticketing app provides convenient ticketing solutions for all riders. For schedule information and to plan a trip, visit mta.maryland.gov. The agency also recommends riders use the Transit app to help navigate the system. The free app offers real-time schedules, predicted arrival times and step-by step navigation for all fixed-route service including Local Bus, Light Rail, Metro Subway, MARC Train and Commuter Bus. Riders who use the app also receive alerts on any service disruptions.
Free transit is just one way the Maryland Transit Administration supports veterans in the Baltimore community. The agency will participate in the Baltimore City Veterans Day Parade on Friday, November 10, with its specially wrapped Veteran’s Day bus and employees walking alongside. The parade begins at the Washington Monument at Charles and Centre streets. Major General Janeen L. Birckhead, Adjunct General of the Maryland National Guard, is this year’s parade’s grand marshal.
The Maryland Transit Administration’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has launched Employee Resource Groups designed to cultivate a more inclusive work environment by bringing together agency staff based on a common identity, interest, background or demographics. Employee Resource Groups provide opportunities for employees to be heard and feel valued – and the first of these groups to form is the Veterans Employee Resource Group.
The Maryland Transit Administration is one of the largest multi-modal transit systems in the United States, and operates Local Bus, Commuter Bus, Light Rail, Metro Subway, MARC Train Service and a comprehensive Mobility paratransit system. The goal of the Maryland Transit Administration 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
Courtney Mims
Office: 410-767-8367
Cell: 667-392-0157
cmims@mdot.maryland.gov
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