FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

New Benefits Include Free Rides for Children 12 and Under, Expanded Hours for Baltimore City Students and A Longer Transfer Window  

BALTIMORE, MD (July 24, 2025) –The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration has announced updates to its fare structure, including the expansion of the transfer window for CharmPass users, extended travel hours for students and free rides for children 12 and under. These changes are designed to expand access to core services including Local Bus, Light Rail, Metro Subway, Mobility and Call-a-Ride services. They follow public hearings held in June and a 30-day public comment period, and will go into effect on Sunday, July 27. The updated fare structure reflects the agency’s long-standing commitment to serving all riders and providing access to opportunity, particularly for students.  

“Increasing transit access benefits riders and is critical to the economic prosperity of our entire region,” said Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold. “These changes are another example of our efforts to support the next generation of transit riders.”   

Key highlights of the new fare policy include:
 

• Free rides for children 12 and under, expanding access to youth by lifting the previous age limit of 6 years old.  
• Baltimore City Public School (BCPS) students can now travel at any time using their BCPS student pass. This change enables greater participation in after-school programs, access to part-time jobs and other opportunities.
• Expanding eligibility of the All Access Student Transit Pass (formerly All Access College Transit Pass) to include private school students, broadening access to more youth riders across the region.  
• Expanded transfer window for CharmPass users, increasing from 90 minutes to 120 minutes, allowing more flexibility and access across metropolitan Baltimore at no additional cost.
• Foundation for a low-income fare program for participants in the Maryland Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This will support economically disadvantaged individuals with greater physical and economic mobility. 
• New $5 surcharge for Light Rail riders who do not have a valid ticket at the time of fare inspection and subsequently purchase one with the CharmPass app - encouraging systemwide fare compliance.

The complete fare policy guide is available at mta.maryland.gov/fall2025.

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