Re-imagining Baltimore's regional transit system: Three perspectives

By Tom Hall,

Teria Rogers, Malarie Pinkard-Pierre, Rob Sivak

Published February 1, 2023 at 12:18 PM EST

The Baltimore Light RailLink. The light rail system, which serves the city of Baltimore as well as its surrounding suburbs, is operated by the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA Maryland). In downtown Baltimore, it uses city streets. Outside the central portions of the city, the line is built on private rights-of-way, mostly from the defunct Northern Central Railway, Baltimore and Annapolis Railroad and Washington, Baltimore and Annapolis Electric Railway. In 2021, the system had a ridership of 2,718,100, or about 9,900 per weekday as of the second quarter of 2022. (photo credit MDOT via Baltimore Metropolitan Council) — The Baltimore Light RailLink. The light rail system, which serves the city of Baltimore as well as its surrounding suburbs, is operated by the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA Maryland). In downtown Baltimore, it uses city streets. Outside the central portions of the city, the line is built on private rights-of-way. In 2021, the system had a ridership of 2,718,100, or about 9,900 per weekday as of the second quarter of 2022. (photo credit MDOT via Baltimore Metropolitan Council)

Baltimore and surrounding jurisdictions face many challenges that are best addressed from a regional, rather than a local perspective.

Yesterday, for example, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott and Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski held a press conference with members of the Maryland General Assembly to announce the creation of a task force to study how to modernize the governance of the water and wastewater facilities, which serve both jurisdictions.

Scott and Olszewski, along with other elected officials from the Baltimore metro area, are part of the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, an organization that encourages cooperation between jurisdictions to promote economic vitality and quality of life for the region.

Transportation is one of those issues that cries out for regional coordination and cooperation. The BMC has just released a report that studied how best to organize the governance and funding for regional transit. Maryland Del. Tony Bridges, who represents District 41 in Baltimore City, chaired the workgroup that developed five recommendations for transit that we’re going to talk about today.

Tom spoke with Del. Bridges on Tuesday about those recommendations, and we begin today with their recorded conversation.

Joining Tom in Studio A is the executive director of the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, Mike Kelly…

Also with us in studio is Mark Anthony Thomas, the president and CEO of the Greater Baltimore Committee…

(L-R) MD Delegate Tony Bridges (D., 41); Mike Kelly, exec. dir. Baltimore Metropolitan Council; Mark Anthony Thomas, president and CEO, Greater Baltimore Commission. (courtesy photos) — (L-R) MD Delegate Tony Bridges (D., 41); Mike Kelly, exec. dir. Baltimore Metropolitan Council; Mark Anthony Thomas, president and CEO, Greater Baltimore Committee. (courtesy photos)

What are your thoughts about regional coordination of the area’s transit system?

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