FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BALTIMORE, MD (August 16, 2023) – The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration is announcing its fall 2023 service changes, focusing on improving east-west transit access in Baltimore as well as providing better connections to housing, employment centers and shopping. The changes take effect Sunday, August 27, and follow a series of public hearings and a 30-day public review and comment period. The decision to move forward with the proposed changes was based on feedback provided by riders, community leaders and other stakeholders.
“The perspective of our riders is critical to strengthening our system,” said Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold. “The feedback and suggestions we received have informed upcoming improvements that will increase transit efficiency, reliability and access in the region.”
Among the changes is the launch of the QuickLink 40 pilot bus service. Announced by Governor Wes Moore in June, the new route is intended to provide expanded travel options for riders as plans take shape for the relaunched Red Line transit route.
QuickLink 40 will run 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays along existing CityLink Blue and Orange routes from Essex to Westgate. With more buses making fewer stops, QuickLink 40 is expected to eliminate about 25 minutes of travel time for riders who currently use the CityLink Blue and CityLink Orange lines.
Other Fall Service Changes
In addition to QuickLink 40, the following is a summary of Local Bus service enhancements:
LocalLink 32 and LocalLink 37
- To provide additional connections to Catonsville as well as a direct connection between Patapsco Light Rail and Catonsville, the LocalLink 32 is being extended to from UMBC-Catonsville to the Rolling Road Walmart in Catonsville.
- To create new access from Woodlawn to employment centers and retail on Route 40, some LocalLink 37 trips will serve Catonsville via Route 40.
LocalLink 33 and CityLink Brown
- To improve reliability, service on the CityLink Brown will alternate between Overlea and Gardenville. LocalLink 33 will be extended to White Marsh and all trips will run between Mount Washington and White Marsh.
CityLink Navy
- To match ridership levels, service changes to CityLink Navy will have select trips terminate at Bayview Medical Center instead of terminating at Center Place during the peak, midday and early service periods. All other CityLink Navy trips will continue to Watersedge.
Following is a summary of Local Bus service modifications and operational adjustments:
CityLink Silver
- To improve reliability southbound, CityLink Silver trips will operate via Hanover Street between West Lee Street and Fort Avenue.
Express BusLink 105
- To provide additional curb space near the War Memorial due to the redesign of the City Hall bus stops, southbound Express BusLink 105 trips will operate via Pleasant to Guilford to Fayette Street.
LocalLink 93
- Due to private property constraints, the temporary layover for the northbound end of LocalLink 93 at International Drive will be made permanent.
LocalLink 31
- Due to the closure of the west side of the Social Security Administration Building, bus stops along Parallel Drive, west of Woodlawn Drive, will no longer be served by LocalLink 31. LocalLink 31 trips will continue to serve the main Social Security Administration Building and will continue to Security Square Mall.
LocalLink 33, LocalLink 56 (White Marsh Mall)
- Due to nearby construction, LocalLink 33 and LocalLink 56 trips to and from White Marsh Mall will no longer serve the stop outside the former Sears.
For additional details on the fall 2023 service change, visit mta.maryland.gov/fall2023 or call the Transit Information Contact Center at 410-539-5000. The Maryland Transit Administration reminds riders that CharmFlex 3- and 10-day passes offer riders a flexible fare option when traveling only a few times a week or on non-consecutive days. CharmFlex is available only on the CharmPass mobile ticketing app.
The Maryland Transit Administration is one of the largest multi-modal transit systems in the United States, and operates local and commuter buses, Light Rail, Metro Subway, MARC Train service and a comprehensive Mobility (paratransit) system. The goal of the Maryland Transit Administration is to provide safe, efficient and reliable transit across Maryland with world-class customer service. To learn more, visit mta.maryland.gov, check us out on Facebook at facebook.com/mtamaryland and follow us on Twitter @mtamaryland.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Paul Shepard
Office: 410-767-3935
Cell: 443-622-4181
pshepard@mdot.maryland.gov
Veronica Battisti
Office: 410-767-8748
Cell: 410-598-4168
vbattisti@mdot.maryland.gov
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