FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Focused Investment in Safety, Maintenance and Preservation Efforts Addresses
90% of ‘State of Good Repair’ Needs
BALTIMORE, MD (July 2, 2025) – The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) released its updated Capital Needs Inventory (CNI) and Prioritization Report, which examines the investments needed in the transit agency over the next 10 years to reach and maintain a State of Good Repair for existing service, complete priority enhancements to the customer experience and fulfill contractual obligations. These investments will support major construction projects such as the Frederick Douglass Tunnel, the Purple Line, major MARC projects and achieving a State of Good Repair across bus and rail. Due to ongoing efforts, the amount of MTA assets outside of a State of Good Repair is already projected to drop in the next year, and continued funding at CNI-recommended levels could nearly eliminate MTA's State of Good Repair needs backlog over the next ten years. The full CNI report is available on the website at MTA CNI June 2025.pdf
“These State of Good Repair investments are critical to preserving the core functions of the transit system and supporting its future growth,” said Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold. “Thanks to additional funding in Governor Moore’s budget, MTA will continue to prioritize safety-critical investments that improve reliability for our riders.”
As a result of the Moore-Miller Administration’s investment in transit, the six-year Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) for Fiscal Years 2025 - 2030 provides funding to advance MTA’s key priorities, as well as for more than 90% of MTA’s State of Good Repair needs. It also includes a more than $1 billion investment in the Light Rail Modernization Program to replace Baltimore’s light rail vehicle fleet with modern, low-floor cars, as well as making the necessary station, power and maintenance facility upgrades for the new vehicles. Successful completion of the Light Rail Modernization Program will double the frequency of light rail service as compared to today.
The Maryland Transit Administration operates and maintains $14 billion in assets to provide transportation services throughout Maryland. State of Good Repair is the condition at which assets – such as trains, buses, stations, systems and other facilities – operate at full performance. If not addressed, a backlog of State of Good Repair preservation efforts can impact transit performance, affecting reliability and service quality, although it does not indicate assets that are unsafe to operate. The agency’s transit asset management program monitors the condition of its assets and applies lifecycle management strategies to support full performance.
Total needs have increased due to supply chain inflation, Purple Line entering revenue service, the agency’s commitment to supporting Amtrak major Northeast Corridor projects, the cost of light rail vehicle replacements and aging rail systems. Transit agencies across the country are facing similar challenges, with aging infrastructure, rising supply chain costs and limited funding streams – all contributing to a growing backlog of state of good repair needs. The MTA will continue to pursue discretionary funding to further close the funding gap and address additional enhancement and expansion needs.
Recent agency projects have included the delivery of new Metro Subway railcars and train control system, bus replacements, rehabilitation of Light Rail track and interlockings and the completion of a heavy maintenance building for MARC Train locomotives at the Riverside Yard. In addition, items planned for funding in the CTP between 2025 and 2030 include:
- Light Rail Systems Traction Power Substations
- Light Rail and Metro Track Maintenance
- Metro Elevator and Escalator Rehabilitation
- Metro Interlocking Improvements
- Metro Facility Power Upgrades
- MARC Safety Control Systems
- MARC Vehicle Overhauls
- Bus Replacements
- Mobility Vehicle Replacements
The Maryland Transit Administration is one of the largest multi-modal transit systems in the United States, operating systems that include Local Bus, Commuter Bus, Light Rail, Metro Subway, MARC Train Service and a comprehensive Mobility paratransit network. Our goal 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, Instagram at MTA Maryland and follow us on X @mtamaryland and bluesky@mta.maryland.gov.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Paul Shepard
Office: 410-767-3935
Cell: 443-622-4181
pshepard@mdot.maryland.gov
Courtney Mims
Office: 410-767-8367
Cell: 667-392-0157
cmims@mdot.maryland.gov
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