Baltimore's New Bus System Comes With a Snazzy New Map

Fans of transit maps will have to watch out for the new map of BaltimoreLink.

1 minute read

May 17, 2017, 10:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


BaltimoreLink System Map

Maryland Department of Transportation / BaltimoreLink

"Baltimore will soon be the latest American city to overhaul its bus network in an attempt to jumpstart ridership," reports Peter Dovak. "The plan, known as 'BaltimoreLink'," will go into effect on June 18. So far the best part is a really, really cool new map."

The Baltimore bus system reorganization follows the famous example of Houston, which reorganized its bus syetm in 2015 and is now one of the few systems in the country attracting on increased numbers of riders in recent years.

"The core of the BaltimoreLink plan is a dozen color-coded, high-frequency routes known as CityLink lines," explains Dovak. "They'll run 24 hours a day along Baltimore's downtown grid and then radiate out of the city in every direction, complimented by less frequent local and express lines."

A good portion of the article is devoted to the design of the Baltimore Link map, which a radial structure that allows for both a striking appearance and legible detail. A quick mention of the system re-structure's political origins—as a replacement for the aborted Red Line Subway project—is also included in the article.

Monday, May 15, 2017 in Greater Greater Washington

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

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.