FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Amplifying Youth Voices to Promote a More Inclusive Rider Experience
BALTIMORE, MD (April 2, 2026) – The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) is proud to reaffirm its commitment to Autism Acceptance Month by airing a series of specialized safety messages at MTA train stations. For the third consecutive year, the agency has partnered with the non-profit Autism Transit Project to record messages from young people on the spectrum. This initiative reinforces the agency’s commitment to creating a more welcoming experience for all riders and leaving no one behind by making services more accessible.
“Transit is for everyone,” said Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold. “We are committed to creating meaningful ways for young people with autism to explore and engage with our region’s transit system.”
MTA is Serious About Safety and these announcements will remind passengers to observe safe travel procedures such as standing a safe distance from the platform edge, remaining clear of closing doors and observing the gap between train and station platforms. The pre-recorded public service announcements will air throughout April every hour from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at all Light Rail stops and Metro Subway stations.
Research shows that many people with autism enjoy interaction with trains and buses because they enjoy both their predictability and complexity. The Maryland Transit Administration is proud to join transit agencies across the country, including the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Northern California’s Bay Area Rapid Transit and Atlanta’s Metropolitan Area Rapid Transit Authority in supporting the Autism Transit Project.
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 or YouTube and follow us on Twitter/X and Bluesky Social.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Courtney Mims
Office: 410-767-8367
Cell: 667-392-0157
cmims@mdot.maryland.gov
Paul Shepard
Office: 410-767-3935
Cell: 443-622-4181
pshepard@mdot.maryland.gov
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