FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

 

Pilot Service on QuickLink 40, LocalLink 73 to be Made Permanent, Agency Seeking Public Feedback During Public Hearings and Comment Period

 

BALTIMORE, MD (April 30, 2024) – The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration released its Fall 2024 Service Change Proposal, which is designed to improve safety and reliability, address the changing customer needs and provide convenient access to essential destinations.  The fall schedule changes are proposed to take effect Sunday, August 25, 2024.

 

“The MTA is committed to providing a bus system that meets the changing needs of the region and our riders,” said Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold. “Public input is critical to our service changes, and we look forward to hearing directly from our riders”.

 

The proposed service changes include alignment and schedule modifications to improve efficiency, reliability, and on-time performance. The full draft of the fall 2024 service proposal is available on the Maryland Transit Administration website at www.mta.maryland.gov/fall2024. A copy of the draft also is available in the lobby of the Maryland Transit Administration headquarters located at 6 St. Paul St., Baltimore, MD 21202.

 

A summary of the proposed Local Bus route changes follows:

 

Service Enhancements

The agency is proposing the following service enhancements to improve access, connectivity, and reliability: 

 

• QuickLink 40 
  The proposal recommends incorporating the QuickLink 40 route as part of the agency’s regular service offering. QuickLink 40 was launched in August 2023 as a pilot service to reduce east-west travel times in Baltimore and provide better connections to housing, employment centers and shopping destinations.

 

• LocalLink 73
  The LocalLink 73 pilot service extension to Wagner’s Point, an emerging employment and industrial center in Baltimore, was launched on Sunday, June 18, 2023.  This proposal recommends incorporating the extension as part of the agency’s regular service offering, providing a one-seat ride from downtown Baltimore to Wagner’s Point.
   
• LocalLink 85
  To improve connections to Light Rail from northwest Baltimore, LocalLink 85 is proposed to extend to the North Avenue Light Rail Station. The stop at Druid Hill Avenue and Retreat Street would be discontinued.
   
• LocalLink 67
  To improve access and close a gap in service during the late mornings, LocalLink 67 is proposed to operate all-day Weekday, Saturday, and Sunday service from downtown Baltimore to Marley Neck. Daily hours of service provided will not be affected. 
   
• Express Bus 105
  Additional trips are proposed to be added to Express Bus 105, between downtown Baltimore and Cedonia, to reduce crowding in the primary direction of travel in the morning and afternoon peak periods.  

 

Service Modifications – Operational Adjustments:

Several modifications are proposed to improve the efficiency of route operations and pedestrian safety by mitigating the effects of road construction and changes in street alignments.  
 

• CityLink Silver
  To improve reliability, the return of northbound service on CityLink Silver along Light Street from S. Charles Street through the Federal Hill neighborhood is proposed to be made permanent. No changes are proposed to the frequency or span of service.
   
• CityLink Lime
  Trips on the CityLink Lime to Druid Hill Park are proposed to terminate at Pennsylvania Avenue and Clifton Avenue.  The CityLink Lime is proposed to no longer stop at Cloverdale Road and McCulloh Street due to conflicts with freight loading operations. No changes are proposed to the frequency or span of service.
   
• LocalLink 63 and Express BusLink 163
  The final stop on LocalLink 63 and Express BusLink 163 at Tradepoint Atlantic Royal Farms is proposed to be moved to a new location on Bethlehem Boulevard due to construction at the current stop. Both routes will continue to serve both sides of Tradepoint Atlantic on all trips.
   
• LocalLink 71
  Changes to the route alignment of the LocalLink 71 through Baltimore Peninsula are proposed due to permanent changes in the street alignment. All trips would run along Mission Boulevard in the Peninsula and continue to Patapsco Light Rail Station.
   
• LocalLink 59, Express BusLink 160
  In the eastbound direction, the LocalLink 59 and Express BusLink 160 are proposed to move their final and first stop from the Whispering Woods terminus/origin to Eastern Avenue and Tidewater Lane due to improved pedestrian safety at the intersection. The westbound stop at Eastern Avenue and Tidewater Lane would be discontinued. All westbound trips would continue to serve the Eastern Avenue and Biscayne Bay Boulevard stop.
   
• LocalLink 62, LocalLink 68, LocalLink 65, and Express BusLink 163
  LocalLinks 62, 63, 65 and Express BusLink 163 are proposed to be rerouted through Center Place in Dundalk due to narrow roadway conditions on S. Center Place.  Due to the change in alignment, the stop at S. Center Place and Shipping Place in the westbound direction would be discontinued.  The CityLink Navy would be unaffected by this change.

The public comment period is open now through July 8. The agency will hold two virtual public hearings on June 5 and 6 to gather important feedback from riders and stakeholders about these proposed changes.

 

For more information on how to participate in the virtual hearings as well as the various ways to submit a comment, visit www.mta.maryland.gov/fall2024. Riders needing additional information can call the Transit Information Contact Center at 410-539-5000.

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

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