https://ggwash.org/view/92154/gover...-services-they-should-be-restructured-instead
>Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Maryland Transportation Secretary (and former WMATA head) Paul Wiedefeld have announced a number of cuts designed to address the budget shortfall. Of note, cuts to state-of-good repair programs and current and planned MARC Brunswick line service were included, but most devastatingly, the cuts propose the cessation of all but the highest ridership commuter bus lines in 2025, with the service’s future beyond 2025 uncertain.
>Service is divided into the following categories:
>The unfortunate reality of budget cuts means that various services have to compete against one another for funds. Commuter bus ridership is at 17% of capacity and is trending at less than 35% of pre-COVID levels. This makes it a prime target for saving money, especially compared to the much-more-used MARC train and the entire BaltimoreLink system, the backbone of public transit for the Baltimore area.
>Unfortunately, $3.15 billion is a massive gap to close. With the persistence of telework, the Commuter Bus was never going to have the recovery of other transit modes. Serving the DC suburbs also meant that recovery was going to look especially limited compared to peer transit agencies. Because of the flagging ridership, it’s inevitable that there will be cuts.
>Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Maryland Transportation Secretary (and former WMATA head) Paul Wiedefeld have announced a number of cuts designed to address the budget shortfall. Of note, cuts to state-of-good repair programs and current and planned MARC Brunswick line service were included, but most devastatingly, the cuts propose the cessation of all but the highest ridership commuter bus lines in 2025, with the service’s future beyond 2025 uncertain.
>Service is divided into the following categories:
- 201-205: Commuter Bus routes using the ICC/MD-200
- 210/215: Anne Arundel County routes to Baltimore
- 200 evens: Anne Arundel and Queen Anne’s Counties routes to DC
- 310/320: Howard County routes to Baltimore
- 300 odds: Howard and Montgomery Counties routes to DC
- 400s: Harford County routes to Baltimore
- 500s: Washington and Frederick Counties routes to Montgomery County
- 600s: Prince George’s and Charles Counties routes to DC
- 700s: Charles and St Mary’s Counties routes to DC
- 800s: Prince George’s and Calvert Counties routes to DC
>The unfortunate reality of budget cuts means that various services have to compete against one another for funds. Commuter bus ridership is at 17% of capacity and is trending at less than 35% of pre-COVID levels. This makes it a prime target for saving money, especially compared to the much-more-used MARC train and the entire BaltimoreLink system, the backbone of public transit for the Baltimore area.
>Unfortunately, $3.15 billion is a massive gap to close. With the persistence of telework, the Commuter Bus was never going to have the recovery of other transit modes. Serving the DC suburbs also meant that recovery was going to look especially limited compared to peer transit agencies. Because of the flagging ridership, it’s inevitable that there will be cuts.
