The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) announced an indefinite suspension of light-rail services in the Baltimore area, effective at midnight on Friday, due to significant mechanical issues. This decision was communicated during an emergency press conference held on Thursday.
MTA Administrator Holly Arnold outlined two primary concerns that prompted the service halt. The first issue involves punctured high voltage conduits on the light-rail vehicles, which were identified during inspections following a fire incident on October 21, 2023. A safety assessment labeled this issue as a 'medium risk,' indicating it requires attention but was previously considered safe for operation.
The second concern pertains to the inter-car connector cable, a crucial component that links the two sections of the light-rail cars. This particular issue has been linked to six smoke events reported between November 2021 and November 2023, with three occurring within the last four months. Arnold noted that recent inspections revealed the extent of the problems to be more widespread than initially thought.
Arnold emphasized that the decision to suspend service was not made lightly, acknowledging the impact on riders who rely on the light-rail for commuting to jobs and entertainment venues. The light-rail system runs from Hunt Valley to Glen Burnie, with stops at major locations such as Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium.
To accommodate affected passengers, the MTA will provide bus shuttle services, although these will result in longer travel times compared to the light-rail. Arnold indicated that shuttle bus trips could take approximately two hours from end to end, compared to the faster light-rail service, which serves about 10,000 daily riders.
Arnold clarified that the service suspension is unrelated to recent budget cuts announced by the state’s transportation department. The necessary repairs and inspections will be funded as part of a $130 million overhaul of the light-rail fleet currently being conducted by Alstom, a French rail manufacturer.
Once eight railcars are deemed operational, the MTA plans to resume limited services, with full operations expected to return after all repairs are completed. 'Ensuring the safety of passengers is our top priority,' Arnold stated, expressing appreciation for the patience and understanding of riders during this period of necessary inspections and repairs.
Reported by HarborBeat based on WYPR (source).
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