MTA bus riders may have to alter route plans due to $3.3 billion state transportation deficit
BALTIMORE -- Those who rely on commuter MTA buses to get around may need to prepare for their route to change.
The Maryland Transit Administration is looking to reduce service to several routes across the state.
"It's not good because everybody doesn't drive and a lot of people are scared to drive these days," Baltimore resident Wanda Griffin said.
MTA says eight commuter bus routes could be discontinued and another 26 routes could be reduced starting July 1.
Several of the routes potentially impacted are in our area because commuter buses take riders to job centers in the Metro Baltimore and Washington, DC region.
Those who take MTA buses regularly tell WJZ the news is concerning.
"If we didn't need the bus services, they wouldn't be here," said Holly, a Baltimore resident. "So, you know, unfortunately, it's not quite the greatest news but obviously something we have to deal with."
MTA says the service reduction is due to an unprecedented $3.3 billion deficit in state transportation funding that was announced by the Maryland Department of Transportation earlier this year.
The MTA also says ridership is down since the pandemic. According to the agency, before the pandemic about 12,000 passengers used the buses daily, and post-pandemic there are about 5,100 daily riders.
"With that came a lot of losses in the first place," Holly said. "So, I guess, that would be something expected."
MTA is hosting a series of public hearings on the proposed reductions.
There is one scheduled for Tuesday from at the Michael E. Busch Annapolis Library and another on Wednesday at the George Howard Building in Ellicott City. Both will be held from 6 to 8 p.m.
The proposed service changes would discontinue service on the following eight routes:
203 – Columbia to Bethesda
220 – Annapolis to Washington, D.C.
240 – Kent Island to Washington, D.C.
260 – Severna Park & Davidsonville to Washington, D.C.
410 – Churchville to Baltimore
411 – Hickory to Hopkins Hospital/Baltimore
810 – Pindell to Washington, D.C.
850 – Prince Frederick/Dunkirk to Suitland/Washington, D.C.
The proposed service changes would reduce the total number of trips on the following 26 routes:
201–Gaithersburg Park & Ride to BWI Marshall Airport
204 – Frederick to College Park
210 – Kent Island to Annapolis/Baltimore
230 – Annapolis/Severna Park to Washington, D.C.
305 – Columbia/Silver Spring to Washington, D.C.
310 – Columbia to Baltimore
315 – Columbia/Silver Spring to Washington, D.C.
320 – Laurel to Baltimore
325 – Columbia/Silver Spring to Washington, D.C.
335 – Clarksville/Columbia to Washington, D.C.
345 – Ellicott City/Columbia to Washington, D.C.
420 – Hickory to Hopkins Hospital/Baltimore
505 – Hagerstown to Shady Grove/Rock Spring
515 – Frederick to Shady Grove/Rock Spring
610 – Waldorf to Washington, D.C.
620 – Waldorf to Washington, D.C.
630 – La Plata/Waldorf to Washington, D.C.
640 – Waldorf/Accokeek to Washington, D.C.
650 – La Plata, Waldorf /Accokeek to Washington, D.C.
705 – Charlotte Hall/Waldorf to Washington, D.C.
715 – Charlotte Hall/Waldorf to Washington, D.C.
725 – California/Charlotte Hall to Washington, D.C.
735 – Charlotte Hall/Waldorf to Washington, D.C.
820 – North Beach/PG Equestrian Center to Washington, D.C.
830 – Sunderland/Dunkirk to Washington, D.C.
840 – St. Leonard/ Prince Frederick to Washington, D.C.
The proposed service changes would not affect the following two routes:
215 – Baltimore to Annapolis
250 – Kent Island/Davidson to Washington, D.C.
