LocalLink 36 (BaltimoreLink)

(Redirected from Route 55 (MTA Maryland))

LocalLink 36 is a bus route operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore and its suburbs. The line currently runs from Towson to Fox Ridge, serving Parkville, Overlea, Rosedale, and Essex, and the Essex campus of the Community College of Baltimore County (formerly Essex Community College).

LocalLink 36
Overview
SystemMaryland Transit Administration
GarageEastern
Statusactive
Began service1973
PredecessorsRoute 55
Bus Route 2
Route
LocaleBaltimore City
Baltimore County
Communities servedHillendale
Hamilton
Overlea
Rosedale
Golden Ring
Essex
Middle River
Landmarks servedTowson Marketplace
Franklin Square Hospital
CCBC Essex campus
Golden Ring Plaza
Other routes3, 4, 8, 11, 12, 15, 19, 23, 24, 35, qb40, qb47, qb48, 58, 104
Service
LevelDaily
FrequencyEvery 30 minutes
Every 20 minutes (peak)
Weekend frequencyEvery 30-60 minutes
Operates5:00 am to 10:30 pm [1]

History

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Route 36 started operating in 1973 as Route 55 between Overlea and Towson, with branches via Joppa Road and Taylor Avenue, and to Hunt Valley.[2] A year later, as the Route 9 was introduced, the Hunt Valley service on this line was truncated to Towson.[3]

In 1977, Route 55 was combined with Route 2, which had operated limited service between Overlea and Fox Ridge.[3] For the next 20 years, the line operated from the Towson area to Franklin Square Hospital, with selected trips, mostly during rush hour, continuing to Fox Ridge. Express trips to the Essex area from Towson were also introduced, but were eliminated in 1992.[4]

In 1997, all trips were extended to Fox Ridge.[5]

In 1998, two daily trips which operated via Taylor Avenue through Parkville were discontinued.

In 2005, as part of the Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative, it was proposed that Route 55 would operated every 30 minutes versus the previous 40, and Sunday service would be introduced. No routing changes were planned initially to Route 55. But this plan was later delayed due to public outcry over changes to other routes.

In 2006, under a revision, MTA made plans for Route 55 to loop at the Towson Courthouse rather than GBMC, and for service on the remainder of the route to be provided on other lines. This plan was not implemented immediately. But on October 8, 2006, Sunday service was introduced, reflecting this new routing.[6]

On February 17, 2008, these changes were implemented seven days a week,[7] despite public outcry over transfers that would be required to reach Towson University and area hospitals.

On June 18, 2017, BaltimoreLink renamed Route 55 to Route 36.

References

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  1. ^ "Schedule" (PDF). www.mta.maryland.gov. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  2. ^ "BTCO.net - We're Going Places". BTCO.net. Retrieved 2016-03-24.
  3. ^ a b "BTCO.net - We're Going Places". BTCO.net. Archived from the original on 2011-07-17. Retrieved 2016-03-24.
  4. ^ MTA June 1992 schedule changes
  5. ^ MTA Summer 1997 schedule changes
  6. ^ MTA October 2006 schedule changes
  7. ^ MTA February 2008 schedule changes