Maryland Transit Administration unveils 50-year statewide transit plan

The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) has unveiled a draft of the statewide transit plan designed to provide a roadmap for a comprehensive, connected transit system for current riders and for future generations.

MTA is seeking public comment on the 50-year plan that includes long-term and immediate goals to fulfill the agency mission of providing safe, efficient, and reliable transit across Maryland with world-class customer service, according to an MTA press release.

“We are working to bring Maryland the best transit system in the nation. The statewide transit plan is intended to establish the vision and benchmarks necessary to achieve that goal,” MDOT MTA Administrator Holly Arnold said in a statement. “It’s designed to serve as the roadmap for future transit development in the state. That’s why getting public feedback is so important to us.”

The plan identifies near-term action items to accomplish in the next five years such as improving fare policy, building new transit hubs, exploring expanded rail service and enhancing evening and weekend service. The document also defines goals for MDOT MTA to attain, strategies to achieve them, and future transit connections across Maryland.

Seven goals will guide Maryland’s public transportation investments into the future. Crafted through feedback from statewide stakeholders and the public at the start of the planning process, the goals include being an equitable, accessible and affordable transit system, providing mobility between regions, connecting people to jobs and opportunities, and investing wisely and sustainably. To reach those goals, MTA has also identified 31 strategies to be implemented through coordinated efforts with local, regional, and state partners. Strategies in the plan include adopting new technology, installing customer-friendly features at stops and stations, and enhancing and expanding service to essential destinations.

The draft document also lists 25 transit connections that will help the state meet future travel needs and improve access between Maryland regions and neighboring states. Significant transit connections include MARC-Virginia Railway Express run-through rail service, new and improved intercity connections to Western Maryland and the Eastern Shore, improvements to Northeast Corridor rail service, and Frederick Douglass Tunnel.

The full draft of the Statewide Transit Plan is available on the project website at www.mta.maryland.gov/statewide-plan.

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SOURCE: Maryland Transit Administration