MTA Halts Planned Transit Cuts in Baltimore Region

BALTIMORE, MD — The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) has decided to suspend its plans for significant cuts to transit services in the Baltimore area following strong opposition from local leaders and the public.

Initially, the MTA had scheduled a series of virtual public hearings for October to discuss proposed reductions in service, which were prompted by a sharp decline in ridership due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the feedback received from residents and officials led to a reconsideration of those plans.

Transportation Secretary Gregory Slater emphasized the importance of preserving essential bus services, stating, "With the ongoing review of all transit ridership and public feedback, it became clear that preserving core bus service is essential." The new strategy will focus on maintaining service levels, albeit with potential adjustments to service frequency rather than outright route cancellations.

Data from late September indicated that overall transit usage had plummeted by 60 percent compared to 2019 figures, with MARC train ridership down by 89 percent and local bus usage down by 51 percent. Officials attribute this decline to ongoing teleworking and reduced travel during the pandemic.

Starting November 2, the MTA will restore service levels that were in place during the peak of the health crisis. MTA Administrator Kevin Quinn stated that the agency aims to create a plan that meets the needs of riders and supports recovery efforts across Maryland.

Local leaders from Baltimore City and surrounding counties, including Anne Arundel and Howard, expressed their approval of the decision to maintain transit services. In a joint statement, they remarked, "We’re pleased that the state has reversed their decision to balance the budget on the backs of our most vulnerable residents. While we understand the significant budget challenges caused by the pandemic, the proposed cuts would have only caused further harm to our residents who are already bearing the brunt of this crisis."

They also stressed the need for continued advocacy for increased state funding to address long-standing underinvestment in regional transportation services.

Reported by HarborBeat based on Patch (source).