Baltimore Bus Service Cuts Restored

"Under fire from Baltimore-area bus riders, business leaders, politicians, parents and advocates, the Hogan administration on Wednesday canceled its proposal to slash MTA bus service in the Baltimore region next year in response to falling revenues due to the coronavirus," reports Colin Campbell.

Planetizen picked up news of the planned bus service cuts at the beginning of September, so the cuts were short lived. The state was originally planning on eliminating 25 MTA bus lines and reduce service on another 12 lines. 

"Instead, the agency’s commuter buses and MARC trains, which have seen deeper and more sustained drops in ridership this year, will offer reduced service beginning in November. Service will be adjusted 'as needed to meet demand," according to MTA chief Kevin Quinn, as reported by Campbell.

The transportation mode data in the city of Baltimore reveal why this is such a crucial pivot for the MTA. About one in three Baltimoreans lack access to a vehicle, and nearly 40 percent of bus riders working essential jobs, according to Campbell, and bus ridership in the core urban area has not declined in the same way as commuter services. "Bus ridership was down only 51% in the fourth week of September, compared to 89% for MARC and 87% for commuter buses, according to the MTA," explains Campbell.