Maryland plans to cut commuter bus lines starting July 1
The Maryland Department of Transportation is planning deep cuts to commuter bus lines starting July 1.
In December, Gov. Wes Moore said the state would reduce $3.3 billion in planned transportation spending over the next six years. Before the coronavirus pandemic, the state’s commuter bus service operated 635 trips across 36 routes with an average daily ridership of 12,000, the department said in a news release. Currently, commuter busses operate 599 trips across 36 routes, with average daily ridership of 5,100, or 43% of the pre-pandemic average daily ridership.
“An additional infusion of funding allocated by Governor Moore from the Fiscal Year 2025 budget proposal will enable the Maryland Transit Administration to maintain commuter bus service at a reduced level rather than eliminate it in its entirety,” the department said in the news release. “The proposed changes focus on maintaining access across all regions where commuter bus currently operates.”
The proposed cuts would discontinue service on eight routes: Columbia to Bethesda, Annapolis to Washington, Kent Island to Washington, Severna Park and Davidsonville to Washington, Churchville to Baltimore, Hickory to Baltimore, Pindell to Washington, and Prince Frederick and Dunkirk to Suitland and Washington. The proposed cuts would also reduce service along another 26 routes, including Columbia and Laurel to Baltimore. The route from Baltimore to Annapolis would not be impacted.
The department said it will hold a series of public hearings between March 18 and 27, as well as a 30-day public review and comment period on the cuts.
