SYSTEM GROWS. THOSE WITH THE MTA SAY RIDERSHIP HAS CHANGED SINCE COVID, AND NOW IS THE TIME TO ADDRESS WHAT SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS RIDERS WANT TO SEE. THEY USE EVERY DAY, SO IT’S VERY IMPACTFUL. IT KEEPS ME GOING, WHETHER AN EVERY DAY OR A ONCE IN A WHILE BUS RIDER. I’VE USED THE BUS TO GET TO MY DOCTOR’S OFFICE. I HAVE VERY LITTLE TROUBLE WITH IT. OCCASIONALLY, YOU KNOW, IT JUST IT DOESN’T SHOW UP WHEN IT’S SUPPOSED TO. BUT THAT’S THE BIG CITY, YOU KNOW? THE MARYLAND TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION WANTS TO HEAR FROM EVERYONE. WE SAW BUS SERVICE, BUS RIDERSHIP INCREASE ALMOST 15% LAST YEAR. WE’RE SEEING REALLY GREAT RETURN OF RIDERS TO TO BUS SERVICE. THAT’S WHY THEY’VE KICKED OFF BE MORE BUS, BETTER BUSSES, BETTER BALTIMORE SAY THE PLAN WILL PRESENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING THE EXISTING NETWORK THROUGH UPDATED BUS SERVICE TYPES, FREQUENCY AND DESTINATIONS. AS ACTUALLY WAS JUST TALKING WITH A FRIEND ABOUT THEM THE OTHER DAY WHO RIDES THEM MUCH MORE CONSISTENTLY. THEY DEFINITELY DON’T THINK THAT THERE ARE ENOUGH BUSSES THAT ARE RUNNING, SO IT WOULD REALLY HELP IF I THINK THERE WAS A LOT MORE CAPACITY FOR PASSENGERS. THE PRIMARY FOCUS IS ON IMPROVEMENTS TO THE AGENCY’S CORE BUS SERVICE AREA. THAT INCLUDES SERVICE ON CITYLINK, LOCAL LINK, EXPRESS BUS LINK AND QUICK LINK ROUTES, AS WELL AS STRENGTHENING CONNECTIONS TO THE BROADER CENTRAL MARYLAND REGION. A GREAT BUS SYSTEM IS REALLY CRITICAL FOR THE SUCCESS OF BALTIMORE. IT’S A KEY PIECE OF HOW WE MEET OUR CLIMATE GOALS, SO THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM PEOPLE AND COME UP WITH A FANTASTIC PLAN. THE ONLINE SURVEY IS LIVE NOW, OPEN THROUGH MAY 31ST. IT WILL HELP SHAPE A DRAFT PLAN TO BE PRESENTED THIS SUMMER BEFORE FINAL DECISIONS IN THE FALL. THE BMORE BUS IMPROVEMENT PLAN WILL GUIDE PLANNING FOR THE NEXT 5 TO 10 YEARS. YOU CAN FIND THE SURVEY ON WBAL, TV.COM FOR NOW DOWNTOWN.
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Baltimore bus riders can help shape next decade of what MTA bus routes look like. Here's how
Survey to help guide MTA bus route planning for the next 5, 10 years
The Maryland Transit Administration announced its Bmore Bus improvement plan to address what service improvements riders want to see.| LINK: BMORE BUS| FEEDBACK: Participate in the MTA's survey here, or call 410-767-9099Bus ridership in Baltimore has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic, and now is the time to address service improvements riders seek, MTA officials said Tuesday."I use it every day, so it's very impactful. It keeps me going," bus rider Kai Grimes said."I use the bus to get to my doctor's appointment. I have very little trouble with it. Occasionally, it doesn't show up when it's supposed to, but that's the big city," bus rider Martin Ertz said.Whether an everyday or occasional bus rider, the MTA wants to hear from everyone."We saw bus ridership increase almost 15% last year. We're seeing a really great return of riders to bus service," said Kate Sylvester, the MTA's chief program delivery officer.The MTA has kicked off "Bmore Bus: Better Buses, Better Baltimore," a plan that will present recommendations for improving the existing network through updated bus service types, frequencies and destinations. The plan will help guide MTA planning for the next five to 10 years."I actually was just talking with a friend, they definitely do not think there are enough buses that are running. So, I think it'd really help if there was a lot more capacity for passengers," bus rider Kristin Brig-Ortiz said.The primary focus is on improvements to the agency's core bus service area, which includes service on CityLink, LocalLink, Express BusLink and QuickLink routes, as well as strengthening connections to the broader Central Maryland region."A great bus system is really critical for the future of Baltimore. It's a key piece of how we meet our climate goals. So, this is really important. We want to hear from people and come up with a fantastic plan," Sylvester told 11 News.The online survey will be open through May 31 and aims to help shape a draft plan that will be presented in the summer before final decisions are made in the fall.
BALTIMORE —
The Maryland Transit Administration announced its Bmore Bus improvement plan to address what service improvements riders want to see.
| LINK: BMORE BUS
| FEEDBACK: Participate in the MTA's survey here, or call 410-767-9099
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Bus ridership in Baltimore has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic, and now is the time to address service improvements riders seek, MTA officials said Tuesday.
"I use it every day, so it's very impactful. It keeps me going," bus rider Kai Grimes said.
"I use the bus to get to my doctor's appointment. I have very little trouble with it. Occasionally, it doesn't show up when it's supposed to, but that's the big city," bus rider Martin Ertz said.
Whether an everyday or occasional bus rider, the MTA wants to hear from everyone.
"We saw bus ridership increase almost 15% last year. We're seeing a really great return of riders to bus service," said Kate Sylvester, the MTA's chief program delivery officer.
The MTA has kicked off "Bmore Bus: Better Buses, Better Baltimore," a plan that will present recommendations for improving the existing network through updated bus service types, frequencies and destinations. The plan will help guide MTA planning for the next five to 10 years.
"I actually was just talking with a friend, they definitely do not think there are enough buses that are running. So, I think it'd really help if there was a lot more capacity for passengers," bus rider Kristin Brig-Ortiz said.
"A great bus system is really critical for the future of Baltimore."
The primary focus is on improvements to the agency's core bus service area, which includes service on CityLink, LocalLink, Express BusLink and QuickLink routes, as well as strengthening connections to the broader Central Maryland region.
"A great bus system is really critical for the future of Baltimore. It's a key piece of how we meet our climate goals. So, this is really important. We want to hear from people and come up with a fantastic plan," Sylvester told 11 News.
The online survey will be open through May 31 and aims to help shape a draft plan that will be presented in the summer before final decisions are made in the fall.
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