MDOT MTA’s Fall 2023 Annual Service Plan proposes service changes for Fall 2023 that adjust core bus routes to increase access and equity across the system, improve reliability and travel time, and adapt service to meet changing travel needs. MDOT MTA will continue to monitor service, traffic congestion, ridership, capacity, and resource availability, and will make minor adjustments seasonally in 2023 as the region continues to emerge from the pandemic and ridership continues to grow.
For a PDF of the full service change proposal, please click here. (10MB)
A full copy of the proposal is available for review in the lobby of the William Donald Schaefer Building at 6 Saint Paul Street in Baltimore, Maryland.
Proposed Service Enhancements
The following section proposes enhancements to eleven routes in six scenarios. Proposed enhancements are based on MDOT MTA's goals for this service plan: increase access and equity, improve reliability and travel time, and adapt service to meet service needs.
LocalLink 77, LocalLink 32 and LocalLink 37: Realignment, Extension, and Branching
Service changes to LocalLink 77, LocalLink 32, and LocalLink 37 are intended to provide additional connections from Edmondson Village to retail along US-40 and improve transit connections between Catonsville and Patapsco.
LocalLink 77 is proposed to be rerouted along Route 40 between Edmondson Avenue and Rolling Road, opening up new transit connections from Edmondson Village to retail along Route 40.
LocalLink 32 is proposed to be extended from UMBC-Catonsville to the Rolling Road Walmart in Catonsville, creating new connections from Patapsco to Catonsville.
Some trips on LocalLink 37 are proposed to be rerouted to operate between Old Court Metro and the Rolling Road Walmart, creating new access from Woodlawn to retail along Route 40. The remaining trips on LocalLink 37 will continue to operate between Old Court Metro and UMBC-Catonsville.
Further details and maps covering each change are below.
LocalLink 77: Proposed Realignment to Route 40
LocalLink 77 is proposed to be rerouted to continue along Route 40 between Edmondson Avenue and Rolling Road. No changes are proposed to weekday or weekend service frequencies.
Proposed LocalLink 77 service along Route 40 will provide new access from Edmondson Village to commercial centers along the corridor and connect more directly to route transfer options at the Rolling Road Walmart. Ridership on LocalLink 77 along Edmondson Avenue between Ingleside Avenue and North Bend Road (Westgate) is low.
LocalLink 32 will continue to provide service from Edmondson Avenue west of Ingleside Avenue to the Walmart at Rolling Road. CityLink Blue trips will retain connections to Downtown from Edmonson Avenue between North Bend Road and Route 40. CityLink Purple provides alterative service from Catonsville to Downtown along Frederick Road.
LocalLink 32: Proposed Extension to Catonsville
LocalLink 32 is proposed to be extended to the Rolling Road Walmart in Catonsville. LocalLink 32 will continue service between Patapsco Light Rail and UMBC.
The extension of LocalLink 32 will provide a new one-seat connection from Patapsco to Catonsville, and additional transfer opportunities to CityLink Purple, LocalLink 37, and LocalLink 77.
Service along Edmonson Avenue west of Ingleside Avenue would replace a portion service along a section of the rerouted LocalLink 77.
LocalLink 37: Proposed Branch to Catonsville
Select LocalLink 37 trips are proposed to operate on a new short-turn pattern between Old Court Metro and the Walmart in Catonsville. Remaining trips will continue to operate between Old Court Metro and UMBC-Catonsville.
The new short-turn will provide riders with a new connection to retail along Route 40 between Ingleside Avenue and Rolling Road, and a new transfer connection to LocalLink 32.
CityLink Brown and LocalLink 33: Proposed Truncation and Proposed Extension
MDOT MTA's analysis of route reliability shows that CityLink Brown is among the least reliable routes. These changes are intended to improve reliability along the CityLink Brown between Overlea and Downtown, where ridership on the route is highest.
The proposed service changes have the added potential benefit of creating a one-seat ride between White Marsh Mall and points west Belair Road on the LocalLink 33. Our analysis of passenger travel patterns shows that many passengers currently transfer between the LocalLink 33 and the CityLink Brown at Overlea to continue their trips.
Additional alignment changes to routes serving White Marsh Mall are described further down on this page.
Further details and maps covering each change are below.
CityLink Brown: Proposed Truncation to Overlea
As part of swapping service between Overlea and White Marsh Mall to LocalLink 33, trips on the CityLink Brown will end at either Overlea or Gardenville. Trips will alternate ending at Gardenville and Overlea loop throughout the day. No changes are proposed to weekday or weekend service frequencies or span of service on the CityLink Brown.
Alternative service between Overlea and White Marsh Mall would be provided by an extension of LocalLink 33.
Ridership on CityLink Brown traveling beyond Overlea appears to be lower than the number of riders transferring from LocalLink 33 to points north of Overlea, which suggests that service along this segment may be better provided by LocalLink 33. Shortening the CityLink Brown may also improve the route's overall reliability.
LocalLink 33: Proposed Extension to White Marsh
LocalLink 33 is proposed to be extended to White Marsh Mall and Park & Ride via the current CityLink Brown route on Belair Road and White Marsh Boulevard. All trips on LocalLink 33 would provide service between Mount Washington and White Marsh. No changes are proposed to weekday or weekend service frequencies or span of service.
Extending LocalLink 33 to White Marsh would improve access from points along the route west of Belair Road to White Marsh with a one-seat ride. The extension would replace CityLink Brown service between Overlea and White Marsh.
CityLink Yellow: Proposed Shift to Eutaw St
CityLink Yellow's current alignment downtown is proposed to shift from Guilford and Fallsway to Eutaw Street.
The route shift will help streamline the CityLink Yellow and reduce the amount of congestion encountered by buses, improving service reliability and travel times for riders. Connections to downtown will be possible at transfer points on Eutaw Street to CityLink Blue, CityLink Orange, CityLink Red, CityLink Navy, and other intersecting routes
No changes are proposed to weekday or weekend service frequencies or span of service on the CityLink Yellow.
CityLink Navy: Proposed Short-turn to Bayview
The CityLink Navy is proposed to send select trips to 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 run to Watersedge.
The route's operating hours and service will be maintained at current levels.
CityLink Lime and LocalLink 91: Proposed Truncation and Proposed Extension
Service between Druid Hill Park and Harbor East on the CityLink Lime will be replaced by service on an extended LocalLink 91, running from Sinai Hospital to Harbor East
The change is intended to improve reliability for CityLink Lime riders along Liberty Avenue and improve access from Pimlico to Downtown for riders of LocalLink 91. CityLink Lime riders along Liberty Avenue will retain access to Downtown via Metro or the new LocalLink 91.
Further details and maps covering each change are below.
CityLink Lime: Proposed Truncation to Druid Hill Park
CityLink Lime’s current southern endpoint at Harbor East is proposed to be shortened to Druid Hill Park. The current CityLink Lime’s Harbor East branch has low ridership. Shortening the route will improve reliability for riders along Liberty Road.
Service between Druid Hill Park and Harbor East will be replaced with an extension of the LocalLink 91 to Harbor East. There will be no changes in weekday or weekend service frequencies to CityLink Lime.
LocalLink 91: Proposed Extension to Harbor East
LocalLink 91's current southern endpoint at Mondawmin Metro Station is proposed to be extended to Harbor East via Pennsylvania Avenue, Biddle\Preston Streets, and Caroline Street. This extension will improve the Pimlico area's access to Downtown, Upton Bolton Hill, and Mount Vernon for current Localink 91 riders. These trip patterns currently see high travel flows, which will be strengthened with the LocalLink 91 providing a new one-seat ride. There will be no changes in weekday or weekend service frequencies to LocalLink 91.
LocalLink 81 and LocalLink 85: Proposed Discontinuation and Proposed Extension
Service on LocalLink 81 will be discontinued and replaced by service on a new branch of LocalLink 85, operating between Deer Park and West Cold Spring (via Millford Mill). LocalLink 85 will continue to operate existing service between Millford Mill and Penn North.
These changes are intended to improve access to destinations along Park Heights Avenue for current riders of LocalLink 81, many of whom already transfer to LocalLInk 85 to complete their trips.
Further details and maps covering each change are below.
LocalLink 81: Proposed Discontinuation
LocalLink 81 is proposed to be discontinued and replaced with an extended LocalLink 85, providing alternative service along the entire length of LocalLink 81.
Ridership on LocalLink 81 is low, and analysis of travel patterns shows that many LocalLink 81 riders transfer to the LocalLink 85 to complete their trips.
Trips on the new LocalLink 85 will provide service to Deer Park / Randallstown every 60 minutes all day on weekdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, compared to service every 35-45 minutes on the existing LocalLink 81.
Trips on the new LocalLink 85 will continue to serve Deer Park from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., while late night trips will end at Randallstown Loop, similar to the current LocalLink 81.
LocalLink 85: Proposed Extension to Deer Park
The LocalLink 85 is proposed to have a new pattern. The new service is proposed to run between Deer Park and West Cold Spring, replacing the current LocalLink 81 service
Under this proposal, riders along the current LocalLink 81 will also have one seats to destinations on the LocalLink85 between Milford Mill and West Cold Spring.
Service on the trunk of LocalLink 85 between Milford Mill and West Cold Spring will continue to operate every 15 minutes during the day (6 A.M to 9 P.M.) on weekdays and Saturdays, every 30 minutes during the day on Sundays, and every 60 minutes at all other times.
Service on LocalLink 85 between West Cold Spring and Penn-North will operate every 20 minutes during the day on weekday and Saturdays, every 40 minutes during the day on Sundays, and every 60 minutes at all other times.
Extended service to Deer Park / Randallstown will operate every 60 minnutes, all day every day.
Proposed Service Optimizations
The following section proposes adjustments to three routes — CityLink Silver, Express BusLink 105, and LocalLink 93. Proposed adjustments are based on MDOT MTA's operational restrictions on portions of these routes. These adjustments would increase the efficiency of route operations but will not have significant effects for riders.
Additionally, because construction is restricting travel around the White Marsh Mall, routes currently serving and proposed to serve the White Marsh Mall are rerouted around the mall complex.
CityLink Silver Using Hanover Street
All southbound CityLink Silver trips are proposed to operate via Hanover Street between West Lee Street and Fort Avenue. Current southbound service along Light Street poses operational challenges and impacts reliability on the route. Riders who board along this segment of the route can catch the route two blocks west on Hanover Street
No changes are proposed to northbound operations along Charles Street. No changes are proposed to weekday or weekend service frequencies or span of service on the CityLink Silver.
Express BusLink 105 Using Guilford
All southbound Express BusLink 105 trips are proposed to operate via Pleasant to Guilford to Fayette Street via the existing CityLink Red pattern alignment.
The redesign of the City Hall bus stops and layovers have eliminated a stop served by the route (#12712 - LEXINGTON ST & GAY ST fs). Additional stops (#283 - FAYETTE ST & GAY ST wb and #8928 - FAYETTE ST & HOLLIDAY ST wb) served by the route will no longer be served under this proposal.
No changes are proposed to weekday service frequencies or span of service on the Express BusLink 105.
LocalLink 93 Layover Made Permanent
Due to private property constraints, the temporary layover for the northbound end of the LocalLink 93 at International Drive will be made permanent.
LocalLink 31 Parallel Drive Stops
Due to the Social Security Administration no longer occupying the west side of the complex, stops along Parallel Drive, west of Woodlawn Drive will no longer be served by LocalLink 31. These trips will continue to serve the main Social Security building and will continue to Security Square Mall
No changes are proposed to weekday or weekend service frequencies or span of service on the LocalLink 31.
White Marsh Mall: LocalLink 33, CityLink Brown, and LocalLink 56
Due to construction, any CityLink Brown*, LocalLink 33*, and LocalLink 56 trips to and from White Marsh Mall will no longer serve the stop outside the former Sears (Stop ID # 3125)
* Depending on the feedback received from the public during this comment period, the LocalLink 33 may be extended to White Marsh in place of the CityLink Brown for Fall 2023. See those proposed changes earlier on this webpage for further information on this proposal.
Public Hearings, Comments, and Testimony
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MDOT MTA gives notice of five public hearings on proposed transit service changes for that would become effective on Sunday, August 27, 2023. Individuals and organizations are invited to provide testimony for the official record. Public hearings will be conducted in person and virtually hosted by Zoom online and via telephone as follows:
Virtual hearings will be hosted on Zoom to Broadcast Live Online, and via Telephone. Everyone is welcome to join the public hearings.
To access a virtual hearing, click on the link above for the specific hearing session. If you intend to provide public testimony at a hearing, please register in advance by filling out this online form or by calling 410-767-3999. Please register, by 5:00 PM the day before the hearing at which you wish to speak. If you have not preregistered and you wish to give testimony, please use the "raise hand" feature. Elected officials who wish to provide testimony will be called first and will have five minutes to speak. Hearing officials will then call on each registered attendee in the order they have entered the speakers’ queue. When called upon to give testimony, our team will unmute mics for attendees to speak. Each speaker will have 3 minutes to provide testimony. Testimony will be provided via audio only.
To Access a virtual hearing via telephone call 301-715-8592 and enter the Meeting ID for the hearing session. Although your mic will automatically be set to mute, you will be able to hear all audio from the meeting. If your wish to give testimony, please press *9, then wait to be called to speak. Advance registration to provide testimony via telephone is not available.
The Center of Architecture and Design
100 N. Charles Street, Suite P101
Baltimore, MD 21201
CCBC Catonsville
Mathematics and Science Hall
800 S. Rolling Road
Catonsville, MD 21228
Virtual only - Broadcast Live Online and via Telephone
Join Directly va Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 882 3640 8394
North Point Branch
Baltimore County Public Library
1716 Merritt Boulevard
Dundalk, MD 21222
Virtual only - Broadcast Live Online and via Telephone
Join Directly va Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 821 7583 9612
If you cannot participate in a hearing, you can still submit written testimony by:
- Filling out the online comment form,
- Emailing testimony to HearingComments@mta.maryland.gov with "Written Testimony" as the subject line,
- Printing out this comment form and mailing your testimony to
MDOT MTA Office of Customer and Community Relations
6 St. Paul Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
The public comment period closes at 11:59pm on July 17, 2023. Your name and address must be included with your comments to become part of the public hearing record.
Locations are accessible for people with disabilities. Please contact the department listed below to arrange for: special assistance or additional accommodations to participate in this public hearing; printed material in an alternate format or translated; hearing impaired persons; and persons requesting an interpreter. All requests must be received one week in advance.
Los sitios tienen acceso para personas con discapacidades. Por favor comuníquese con el departamento listado a continuación para concertar arreglos para: ayuda especial o adaptaciones adicionales; material impreso en un formato alternativo o traducido; personas sordas y personas que solicitan un(a) intérprete. Todas las solicitudes deben ser recibidas con una semana de antelación.
MDOT MTA Office of Customer and Community Relations
410-767-3999 • 866-743-3682 • MD Relay Users Dial 7-1-1 (Usuarios de Relay MD marquen 7-1-1)
