Baltimore Advocates Push for City-Specific Transit Authority

A proposed ballot initiative in Maryland aims to give Baltimore residents the opportunity to establish a dedicated transit authority, a move that advocates believe is essential for achieving transportation equity in the city. For decades, Baltimore has been one of the largest U.S. cities without its own regional transit authority, relying instead on the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) to manage its public transportation system, which includes buses, subways, commuter trains, and light rail.

The MTA has faced ongoing financial challenges, with recent budget cuts proposed by Governor Larry Hogan that have hampered its ability to maintain and improve services. Critics argue that Hogan's administration has neglected the needs of Baltimore residents, particularly following the cancellation of the Red Line, a decision viewed by some as politically and racially motivated against low-income communities and communities of color.

In contrast, Hogan approved the Purple Line, which serves suburban areas in Washington, D.C., raising concerns about the prioritization of transit funding.

Samuel Jordan, President of the Baltimore Transit Equity Coalition (BTEC), emphasized the importance of creating a Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) to address historical underinvestment in Baltimore's transit system. The coalition launched a campaign earlier this year to inform voters about transit equity and gather support for the RTA initiative.

In May, the Committee for the Baltimore Regional Transportation Authority Mandate, Inc. sought permission from Hogan's administration and the State Board of Elections to collect 10,000 signatures by July 27, 2020, to place the measure on the ballot.

Brigette Dumais, an organizer with 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, highlighted that a regional transit authority could significantly benefit transit-dependent riders, who have often been overlooked by the current state-managed system. The coalition believes that establishing local control over transit would help dismantle systemic racial barriers and improve overall equity.

If successful in gathering enough signatures, the proposed ballot measure would allow Baltimore City voters to amend the city charter, potentially paving the way for a dedicated transit authority.

Supporters of the initiative, including Bill Barry of the Baltimore City Green Party, noted the city's rich history of rail advocacy and the opportunity to revive public interest in local transit issues.

Previous attempts to establish an RTA have been met with challenges. In 2019, the Maryland General Assembly passed legislation to create a regional transit authority, but Governor Hogan did not allocate the necessary funds to implement it.

As discussions around public funding evolve, particularly in light of recent calls for reallocating police funding to support essential services like public transit, BTEC is hopeful that the upcoming ballot initiative will empower Baltimore residents to advocate for their transportation needs.

Reported by HarborBeat based on Streetsblog USA (source).