FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Short Range Plan to Focus on Recommendations for Improving  Baltimore Region Bus Service over the Next Five to Ten Years

BALTIMORE, MD (April 23, 2024) – The Maryland Transit Administration is seeking public input on the development of BMORE BUS: Better Buses, Better Baltimore, the agency’s short-range transit plan for improved bus service in the Baltimore region. The plan will present recommendations for improving the existing network through updated bus service types, frequency and destinations. When complete, BMORE BUS will help guide the agency’s annual service planning process over the next five to ten years.

“Most of MTA’s riders get to their destinations through our local bus network and the BMORE BUS initiative gives them the chance to directly impact how our system grows,” said Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold. “By partnering with riders, we can better understand the service improvements that they want to see. Whether you ride daily or don’t yet ride but want to, let us know what we can do to make our bus service work for you.”

BMORE BUS will focus on improvements to the agency’s core bus service area - which includes service on CityLink, LocalLink, Express BusLink, and QuickLink routes – and strengthening connections to the broader Central Maryland region. The Maryland Transit Administration has established a dedicated website, mta.maryland.gov/bmorebus, with information on existing bus service and the basics of service planning, as well as a survey and comment form and outreach materials.

The agency will begin engagement on the BMORE BUS plan with an online survey designed to gather feedback on priorities for bus service. Hard copies of the survey will be available at pop-up events in April and May. In addition to outreach events, the project team will engage community partners to ensure the agency reaches as many people as possible. Questions and comments on the plan may also be left with the study team via voice-mailbox at (410) 767-9099. The survey will remain open through May 31, 2024. The Maryland Transit Administration strongly encourages the public to participate in the survey and share their perspective on how the agency should prioritize and allocate constrained resources to improve the future of bus service for the Baltimore region.

Following the close of the survey, the Maryland Transit Administration will begin technical analyses to develop route-level recommendations for bus service improvements. In Summer 2024, the agency will present the information gathered from the initial survey and seek feedback on the draft plan, including identifying the operational and capital needs associated with the recommendations. The BMORE BUS plan, including final recommendations, is expected to be released in Fall 2024.

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, 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 X @mtamaryland.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Courtney Mims
Office: 410-767-8367
Cell: 667-392-0157
cmims@mdot.maryland.gov

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