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Governor’s Effort to Expand Transit Receives $3.36 Million for Additional Commuter Bus Service
Governor Martin O' Malley recently announced additional funding to expand and improve the Commuter Bus program around the State. The $3.36 million in contracts approved in May will fund additional Monday through Friday trips on nine of the MTA's most highly used Commuter Bus lines. Planned improvements include:
- Two daily round trips added to the No. 901 line operating between Charles County and Washington, DC.
One daily round trip added to the No. 902 line operating between Prince Frederick and Washington, DC.
- One daily round trip added to the No. 904 line operating between North Beach and Washington, DC.
- Two daily round trips added to the No. 905 line operating between Charlotte Hall, Waldorf and Washington, DC.
- One daily round trip added to the No. 922 line operating between Kent Island and Washington, DC.
- One daily round trip added to the No. 950 line operating between Kent Island and Washington, DC.
- Funding will allow the extension of Kent Island trips on the No. 922 and No. 950 lines to reach farther east to include Kent Narrows.
- Two daily round trips added to the No. 915 line operating between Columbia and Washington, DC.
- One daily round trip added to the No. 929 line operating between Columbia and Washington, DC.
- One daily round trip added to the No. 991 line operating between Hagerstown, Frederick, Shady Grove Metro, the Rock Spring Business Park and Washington, DC.
"By adding more trips on our established routes, we are making transit a more viable transportation option for more commuters," said Governor O' Malley. "Our success with this service to date proves that when provided with an efficient and effective transit choice, people will get out of their cars, help reduce congestion and improve our environment. Better transit helps create better opportunities for Maryland's families and businesses."
In addition to expanding Commuter Bus service, Governor O' Malley has increased transit investments across the State, including:
Expansion of local bus service in the Baltimore Metropolitan area;
$411 million to develop the Purple Line, the Corridor Cities Transitway and the Red Line;
More than $200 million for the MARC Growth and Investment Plan;
$50 million a year for the Washington Metro, and additional funding for Locally Operated Transit Systems throughout the State.
The MTA’s Commuter Bus service between Washington, DC and Southern, Western and Central Maryland has seen up to double digit ridership increases over the past year. As with transit agencies across the country, Maryland’s Commuter Bus ridership has been steadily increasing month after month, along with escalating gas prices, which have risen about 25 percent since this time last year.
Governor’s Corner
Thank you for riding MTA’s commuter buses. When people choose to ride a commuter bus, that action translates into fewer cars on the road and fewer emissions in the air. At the same time, it gives riders the opportunity to use their time more productively, leaving the driving to us
In order to better suit the needs of our riders, we are working hard to improve our service and expand this highly effective form of transit.
To address growing demand, we have dedicated an additional $3.3 million to add trips to our commuter bus routes around the State, including those in Southern Maryland. This commitment will provide more seats for our commuters and more options for travel times.
In the months and years ahead, we will continue to work to make this cost-effective, environmentally-conscious, efficient mode of transportation more readily available to the people of Maryland.
In the meantime, we welcome your questions, comments and suggestions regarding MTA’s commuter bus service. Replies will be published in future issues of Commuter Buzz. Thanks for riding MTA.
Riders can send their comments and questions to Governor@mtamaryland.com
Public Hearing Held on Commuter Bus Service Expansion Between Waldorf and Washington, DC
The Maryland Transit Administration held a public hearing in Waldorf on June 25 to propose expanding Commuter Bus service by implementing the new Bus Route No. 650, and by modifying the alignment and extending selected trips on the existing Bus Route No. 913.
The new Bus Route No. 650 would operate between the Southern Maryland Baseball Stadium in Waldorf and downtown Washington, DC, effective on or about November 1, 2008.
This new route would operate with 10 trips each weekday morning to Washington, and 10 trips each weekday afternoon back to Waldorf. Within downtown Washington, the route would follow the current alignment of the existing Bus Route No. 905.
Existing Bus Route No. 913 would be re-routed to serve the new Southern Maryland Baseball Stadium instead of the U.S. 301 Park & Ride, effective on or about August 1, 2008. In addition, selected trips would be extended from the Suitland Metro Station to downtown Washington, DC via the current alignment of the existing Bus Route No. 903.
(Photo Caption for Kent Narrows Parking Lot Picture)
The MTA, working with Queen Anne’s County, opened the new Kent Narrows parking lot on June 2 using spaces available under the Kent Narrows Bridge on Kent Island. The additional 100 spaces, with overhead lighting, helps relieve overcrowding at the Park & Ride Lot at Stevensville for riders of Routes 922 and 950 travelling from Kent Island and Annapolis to Washington DC. Queen Anne’s County Commissioner Gene Ransom helped get the lot cleaned and striped. Nearly 80 commuters used the lot on the first day it opened. (Photo by Frank Fulton)
New Dillon’s Bus Service Facility
Dillon’s Bus Service, Inc., the operator of MTA Commuter Bus routes 410, 411, 412, 420, 904, 915, 921, 922, 929, 950, and 995 has a new home. It moved into a state-of-the-art Baltimore bus facility on two and one half acres at BWI Airport off of New Ridge Road in Hanover, Maryland.
The new complex consolidates Dillon’s Cherry Hill and Millersville facilities into one location, and all staff offices are now under one roof. This helps to improve communications and the efficiency of the overall operation.
"The Hanover facility gives us the ability to bring the entire Washington commuter service operation under one roof, and gives our management team more opportunity to interact with operators on a daily basis," said Nelson F. Cross III, Dillon’s Director of Operations. "It’s a win-win for all involved."
The facility has many driver amenities, such as a break room and training classroom, and can easily store Dillon’s fleet of 110 motor coaches. The new maintenance shop has a large office, a tool and parts storage area, a long service pit, and a full service wash bay.
The building also has a camera monitoring system, and a controlled access proximity card system for better security. The entire facility is fenced, and contains a gate with an outside security guard shack at the entrance/exit to the property.
Veolia Continues to Operate Return Evening Bus Service from Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Veolia (formerly Yellow/Connex Transportation) won the contract for the 2008 Oriole’s baseball bus service. It has been operating under contract to Oriole Park at Camden Yards since 1995. Veolia also operates the MTA’s Commuter Bus Routes 310/311 and 320.
Regular MARC Train service to weekday Oriole games at Camden Yards is available on the Camden Line. Since there is no train service in the evening, baseball fans may return on the MTA 701 Express Commuter Bus, which leaves 20 minutes after the last out of the ball game and stops at Savage, Greenbelt and Union stations. The driver will accept a valid MARC ticket for the return trip. In the absence of a MARC ticket, the cash fare is $5 to Savage, $6 to Greenbelt, and $7 to Union Station.
MTA Administrator Wiedefeld Appoints John Hovatter as New Commuter Bus Director
MTA Administrator Paul J. Wiedefeld announced the appointment of transportation veteran John Hovatter as the new Director of MARC Train and Commuter Bus Services. Mr. Hovatter comes to MARC having more than 30 years of railroad experience with CSX Transportation.
As Director, Mr. Hovatter will oversee the operation of MARC Train service and Commuter Bus operations. Since 2002, Mr. Hovatter served as Manager of Commuter Rail Services for CSX Transportation. He worked as the CSX liaison with MARC, Virginia Railway Express (VRE) and other commuter services. Throughout his long career, having joined the freight railroad after high school, Mr. Hovatter has held a variety of transportation-related jobs.
"John’s wealth of knowledge regarding rail transit and his familiarity with the MARC system will be a tremendous benefit to all who use transit in the state," said Administrator Wiedefeld. "We welcome him to Maryland."
Mr. Hovatter’s primary goal is to improve customer service by making management more responsive and the commute more comfortable for passengers. He has completed management courses at Florida Community College and received specialized training in negotiations and other management skills through CSX.
MTA also announces the appointment of Glenn Saffran as the new Deputy Director for MARC Train and Commuter Bus Services. Glenn, previously Manager of Commuter Bus, had been Acting Director for the last several months.
Frank Fulton has been appointed to the new position of Chief Communications Officer for the Office of MARC Train and Commuter Bus Services. In his new position, Frank will focus on improving communications with MARC and Commuter Bus riders, and rolling out a new "Meet the Managers" program for both MARC and Commuter Bus.
"This is a strong team made up of railroad and bus professionals," added Administrator Wiedefeld. "John brings a combination of business experience and strategic management skills to advance the Administration’s vision for improved rail and Commuter Bus transit throughout Maryland."
Sting Operation Nabs Catalytic Converter Thieves
Following a series of thefts of catalytic converters, deputies from the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office parked a decoy car at the MD 8 Park & Ride Lot and set up surveillance in the area. Within an hour and a half, a Chevrolet pickup truck with two occupants drove into the lot and parked near the decoy car.
Deputies watched as the passenger got out of the truck and crawled under the decoy car. Officers said the driver appeared to be acting as the lookout watching for any vehicles entering the lot. The deputies charged the vehicle and confronted the two. When they pulled the man out from under the decoy car, he was carrying a battery-powered saber saw.
The officers seized additional saw blades, a battery charger and suspected heroin and drug paraphernalia as evidence from the truck. The suspects were arrested and taken to the Sheriff’s Office for further questioning. As a result, the two are facing charges involving at least 13 incidents of catalytic converter thefts.
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