Baltimore Transit Lagging Behind Other Systems

State-run buses and subway trains in Baltimore have breakdown rates far higher than systems in other cities.

1 minute read

March 29, 2020, 7:00 AM PDT

By Camille Fink


Baltimore MTA Bus

m01229 / Flickr

"Maryland Transit Administration vehicles [in Baltimore] fail or break down far more often than in most other comparable cities, according to the most recent Federal Transit Administration data," writes Luke Broadwater.

State legislators are proposing $500 million of funding per year for the MTA over the next six years.

"One reason why Maryland has fallen behind other cities, [MTA CEO Kevin B. Quinn Jr.] said, is that several years ago the agency missed a deadline to make its annual purchase of new buses to replace those that are falling apart," reports Broadwater.

MTA officials say they have a $211 million plan to replace aging buses over the next five years. The agency also will fund a $160 million overhaul of the Light Rail train fleet and spend another $400 million to replace signals and railcars in the Metro SubwayLink system.

[Update: For reporting on how the Maryland Transit Administration is responding to the coronavirus, including one driver testing positive for the virus, see an article by Alex Holt, published by Greater Greater Washington on March 25.]

Saturday, March 7, 2020 in The Baltimore Sun

Red on white 'Room for Rent, Inquire Inside' sign

In Most U.S. Cities, Archaic Laws Limit Roommate Living

Critics argue laws preventing unrelated adults from living in the same home fail to understand the modern American household.

May 24, 2023 - The Atlantic

Vancouver Chuck Wolfe

Ten Signs of a Resurgent Downtown

In GeekWire, Chuck Wolfe continues his exploration of a holistic and practical approach to post-pandemic urban center recovery, anchored in local context and community-driven initiatives that promote livability, safety, and sustainability.

May 24, 2023 - GeekWire

Colorful high-saturation view of downtown Houston, Texas with pink and blue dusk sky

Transforming Downtowns Into Functional Neighborhoods

Rather than ‘monofunctional’ business districts or urban playgrounds, American downtown districts could become multipurpose neighborhoods.

May 25, 2023 - Wired

Blue and white Interstate 15 North sign against backdrop of blue sky and snow-capped mountains in Utah

Utah DOT Plans to Expand Interstate Despite Local Concerns

With more evidence pointing to the futility of expanding freeways, the state could take a creative approach to improving travel times and providing additional transportation options.

59 minutes ago - The Salt Lake Tribune

Close-up of lead water pipe with mineral crusts

An Equity Approach to Lead Pipe Replacement

A former Chicago health commissioner calls on governments to prioritize the most marginalized and historically disinvested communities when distributing funding to replace lead pipes, which have taken the highest toll on the health of disadvantaged c

2 hours ago - Governing

View of wetlands in South Carolina at sunrise or sunset

Supreme Court Limits Clean Water Act’s Power

A recent ruling ‘dramatically’ restricts the law’s reach when it comes to protecting wetlands.

3 hours ago - Politico

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.