BALTIMORE — A monthly pass for public transit on the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) proves to be America’s best bargain in urban travel, according to a new national survey.
In a ValuePenguin survey of 10 urban centers, the MDOT MTA’s CharmCard® proved the best value at $68 per month for unlimited rides on MDOT MTA transit services. Second on the list was Washington, D.C., at $81 a month while the most expensive monthly passes are found in New York at $121 a month and Los Angeles at $122 a month.
“This survey confirms that MDOT MTA offers the best value for transit riders in the nation,” said MDOT MTA Administrator and CEO Paul Comfort. “Taking public transportation is a convenient, cost-effective way to travel in Maryland connecting our riders to jobs, retail, healthcare and entertainment. It’s gratifying to know that we’re achieving our goal of providing safe, low-cost transportation and doing that in a more cost-effective way than other transit systems across the country.”
ValuePenguin is a New York-based market research firm. Cities included in this survey (in descending cost order) are: Baltimore; Washington, D.C.; Boston; Philadelphia; San Francisco; Seattle; Chicago; Miami-Fort Lauderdale; New York City; and Los Angeles.
At $68 a month, the MDOT MTA CharmCard® is a rechargeable smart fare card embedded with a computer chip that allows transit riders to keep track of the cash value and pass products on the card. It also provides unlimited rides on MDOT MTA Local Bus, Light Rail and Metro Subway for 31 consecutive days.
The CharmCard® is available at the MDOT MTA Transit Store, located on the 1st floor of 6 St. Paul Street in Baltimore, online and at participating CVS and Giant stores.
For a list of participating CVS and Giant stores, click here. After the card expires, new passes or value may be added to the card online, at select walk-in vendors or at ticket vending machines.