Transportation Secretary Pete K. Rahn praised the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) for launching Express BusLink as the first new service offered as part of BaltimoreLink.Governor Larry Hogan announced the $135 million transit improvement plan in October 2015 to create an integrated transit system that is easy-to-use and better connects people to jobs, entertainment centers and other transit modes. Express BusLink will greatly improve suburb-to-suburb connectivity. Deputy Transportation Secretary James F. Ports, Jr., and MTA Administrator and CEO Paul Comfort joined media on a ride-along today to officially launch Express BusLink service in the Baltimore region.
“Governor Hogan and Transportation Secretary Rahn are committed to building a strong transportation network that links people to jobs and life’s opportunities,” said Deputy Transportation Secretary Ports. “Express BusLink is a down payment on the transformative transit plan that will deliver a truly interconnected system when BaltimoreLink is fully in place next summer.”
Today, MTA is introducing three new Express BusLink routes – 102, 106 and 107 – that now provide significantly faster connections from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI Marshall) MARC Train station to Old Court Metro Subway Station; from Owings Mills to Towson; and from Towson to White Marsh. Today’ ride-along with media was on the new Express BusLink from White Marsh Park & Ride in Nottingham to Towson and back to White Marsh.
“Baltimore has desperately needed a comprehensive, regional transit plan that helps alleviate downtown congestion by opening up the transit grid and that connects people to emerging job centers,” said MTA Administrator and CEO Paul Comfort. “That is why updating our regional transit system with Express BusLink service is key. Express BusLink is an important new service that will link people to where they need to go.”
Additionally, the existing Express Bus Route 150 that connects Columbia to downtown Baltimore City has been extended to connect to the growing job center of Harbor East. Also starting today, MTA is providing additional peak-period trips on Local Bus No. 77 line, which also runs between Old Court Metro Subway Station and BWI Marshall.
These direct suburb-to-suburb connections will improve access to regional job centers as well as speed the ride for many commuters. For example, the new Express BusLink will reduce the two-hour ride from White Marsh to Towson to approximately an hour.