MTA BaltimoreLink

The Maryland Transit Administration provides the primary public bus service for the Baltimore metropolitan area and commuter bus service in other parts of the state of Maryland. There are currently 76 bus routes, which include 45 LocalLink routes, 12 High Frequency CityLink Routes routes, 8 express bus routes (which operate from various suburbs to downtown Baltimore), 19 commuter bus routes, and 5 Intercounty Connector or "ICC" routes (which operate from various locations mainly in central Maryland to Washington D.C. or various Metrorail stations). The local and commuter bus routes operate in conjunction with one subway line, three light rail lines, MARC train service, and various connections to other transit agencies.

MTA Maryland Bus

top left: LocalLink, top right: CityLink, bottom left: Commuter, bottom right: Express BusLink
Parent	Maryland Transit Administration
Founded	April 30, 1970 53 years ago
Headquarters	6 St. Paul Street Baltimore, Maryland
Locale	Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area
Service area	Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area
Service type	LocalLink, CityLink, Express BusLink, Light RailLink, Metro SubwayLink, Commuter BusLink
Routes	LocalLink: 45 CityLink: 12 Express: 8 Commuter: 19 ICC: 4 Total: 89
Hubs	70+ (Baltimore area)
Fleet	Urban bus: 816 Motor coach bus: 18 Total: 834
Daily ridership	272,700 (Q2 2016)
Annual ridership	81,029,100 (2015)
Fuel type	Diesel, Diesel-electric Hybrid
Operator	MDOT
Chief executive	Holly Arnold
Website	www.mta.maryland.gov

Operation

The MTA's bus service operates throughout the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area and other parts of the state. These include: 12 CityLink High Frequency Color Routes. In addition to LocalLink routes 21 through 95; Express BusLink routes 103, 105, 115, 120, 150, 154, 160, and 163; Intercounty Connector routes 201 through 205; Commuter bus routes 310 through 995. https://mta.maryland.gov/local-bus

Local buses

In June 2017 MD Gov. Larry Hogan launched BaltimoreLink as part of an initiative to have a better transit system in Baltimore.

Local bus lines are identified with a one or two-digit number. Many of the numerical designations have origins dating back to the days of the Baltimore streetcars and share the route numbers of the respective streetcars that operated along the same streets.

Most local buses operate regular service seven days a week throughout most hours of the day and evening. Some routes operate 24 hours. A small number of routes operate without evening service, on weekdays only, during peak hours only, or only at the times needed for certain employers.

Until 2009, a series of routes operated in the northwest part of the city and suburbs known as Metro connection buses. These routes had designations of the letter M followed by a number, and operated from a Metro station to a specified location or between two Metro stations. When the Metro connection bus service began in 1984, it used designations beginning with the letter M (Mondawmin), R (Rogers Avenue), or P (Plaza), followed by a number. After the Metro was extended to Owings Mills in 1987, only the letter M was used, and it denoted "Metro."

Since 1988, the number of M-lines had declined, as many of them were consolidated, and some were eliminated. After the first phase of the Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative took effect in 2005, only seven M-lines remained, though this increased to eight after Route M-6 was restored months later.

Throughout 2008 and 2009, all M-lines were renamed with plain two-digit numerical designations, ranging from 52 to 54 and 56 to 60. During this series of revisions, route changes were also made, including merging some routes, splitting others, and eliminating part of Route M-17 without any replacement.

Express, Commuter, and Intercounty Connector buses

The MTA's express routes should not be confused with the "express" trips assigned to several local bus routes. Express routes are dedicated to providing rapid service by limiting the number of stops along the route. The number of express routes has declined over the past two decades due to the construction of new rapid transit services and the elimination or consolidation of poor-performing routes.

Unlike commuter buses, express bus routes serve areas where local buses are available. Comparable, albeit slower, trips can also be made with local buses. Commuter routes, however, provide service between locations not connected by local bus routes.

Both the express and commuter routes, identified with 3-digit numbers, offer limited service mostly during weekday rush hours between downtown areas and various Park-and-Ride lots or other suburban locations in the state of Maryland. The commuter routes, designated with higher numbers, are operated by contractors rather than MTA employees.

The newest addition to the commuter bus service since 2010, known as Intercounty Connector or ICC for short, operates from Gaithersburg to BWI Marshall Airport, University of Maryland College Park or DoD/Fort Meade, traveling along the newly built Intercounty Connector expressway in central Maryland.

Neighborhood Shuttle Bug

Two of the local routes MTA operates are considered neighborhood shuttles, also known as Shuttle Bugs. These local routes operate in specific neighborhoods and the transportation of persons within these communities.

During the early 2000s, MTA introduced two such routes. These routes, rather than operating like others around town, have differences that include:

• Reduced fare for a single ride: $1 rather than the $1.60 charged on regular buses. MTA unlimited ride passes (also known as "GO-passes") also cover the fare.
• In 2006, three shorter, distinctively painted buses, 30-foot Opus buses were purchased and are used exclusively by the Mondawmin shuttle. The Opus buses are the only non 40- and 60-foot buses in MTA's fleet; held at Northwest (4) garage. In mid-2011, MTA retired the three 30-foot Opus buses due to reliability issues.
• Schedules are printed in full color, rather than the monochrome design of most printed schedules, in order to attract more riders.
• Bus stop signs have unique identifications different from usual bus stops. The Hampden Shuttle is identified by a ladybug, and the Mondawmin Shuttle uses the grasshopper symbol.

The Hampden Shuttle Bug was the first of seven shuttle routes originally planned for Baltimore and its suburbs. Only the Hampden and Mondawmin routes were implemented; no timetable was ever set for other neighborhood shuttle routes.

A proposed Shuttle Bug route between Randallstown and the Owings Mills Metro Subway Station was fought by residents along the route the shuttle would take. Objections included that the service would operate on quiet residential streets not accustomed to bus traffic, and area residents did not need the service.

In 2005 and 2006, in various phases of the Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative, MTA proposed various changes to these routes which included routing changes and threats to eliminate Route 98 completely and reduce service on Route 97 to once an hour. The only change that was actually made was a shift on Route 98 in 2008 to replace service on Roland Avenue, that was lost through a change to Route 27.

In 2017, shuttle bug service was discontinued as part of BaltimoreLink. Route 97 was replaced by LocalLink 82. Most of Route 98's routing was replaced by LocalLink 21.

QuickBus

In 2005, the MTA introduced a new form of express transit known as "rapid bus service." The first of these services was designated Route 40. The line operates every 10–15 minutes from the western to the eastern suburbs of Baltimore through the downtown area, serving various communities in West and East Baltimore. Stops are limited to major intersections, transfer points, and points of interest. Unlike other express buses, local fares are applicable on Route 40. Route 40 was later named "QuickBus."

In 2009, a new "QuickBus" route was introduced. Designated as QuickBus 48, it operates along the same route as Route 8 minus the section north of Towson Town Center. Introduction of another QuickBus service that would operate along the route Route 3 and would have carry the designation "Route 43", but this proposal was delayed.

Two more QuickBus routes began service on August 30, 2010, until June 17, 2017. QuickBus 46 operates alongside routes 5 and 10 from Paradise Avenue loop to Cedonia Loop. QuickBus 47 travel along the route 15 from Walbrook Junction to Overlea Loop. Both buses operate on weekdays at peak hours only.

In 2017, all QuickBus routes were discontinued as part of the launch of BaltimoreLink. All routes were replaced by LocalLink service.

In 2022, MTA Maryland proposed a plan to reintroduce QuickBus-like service with new branding under "QuickLink" to be included in the Fall 2022 service changes. The service proposal would include an east–west limited-stop bus route as a pilot service named QuickLink 40. QuickLink 40 would operate every 20 minutes during peak and every 30 minutes during midday from North Bend to Essex Park & Ride. The pilot service was placed on hold as MDOT MTA focuses on improving system wide reliability, but could be included in future service changes.

Current bus routes

Further information: List of MTA Maryland bus routes

Fares

See: Current MTA Fares

Fleet roster

Current fleet roster

Image	Builder	Model	Length (ft/m)	Year	Fuel Propulsion	Powertrain (Engine/Transmission)	Fleet Numbers (Total)	Paint Scheme	Notes
	New Flyer	DE40LFR	40 ft (12 m)	2010	Hybrid	Cummins ISL Allison EP-40	10001-10041 (41)	LocalLink	17 units remain in service as of July 2024. 10001 and 10003 sent to Frederick TransIT
	New Flyer	DE60LF	60 ft (18 m)	2010	Hybrid	Cummins ISL Allison EP-50	11081-11092 (12)	CityLink	3 buses in this series are currently active as of August 2024.
	New Flyer	XDE40	40 ft (12 m)	2011	Hybrid	Cummins ISL9 Allison H 40 EP	11001-11057 (57)	CityLink LocalLink	• Currently Being Retired.
	New Flyer	XDE40	40 ft (12 m)	2012	Hybrid	Cummins ISL9 Allison H 40 EP	12001-12053 (53)	CityLink & LocalLink	12014 retired on [12/07/2022]. 12027 sent to Frederick TransIT
	New Flyer	XDE60	60 ft (18 m)	2013	Hybrid	Cummins ISL9 Allison H 50 EP	12081-12090 (10)	CityLink
	New Flyer	XDE40	40 ft (12 m)	2013	Hybrid	Cummins ISL9 Allison H 40 EP	13001-13040 (40)	CityLink & LocalLink	13008 retired on [06/17/2023].
						Cummins ISB6.7 BAE System 200 HybriDrive	13041-13050 (10)	CityLink & LocalLink	13044 & 13049 Features American Insight Prime Seats All BAE units are Retired (May 2024)
	New Flyer	XDE40	40 ft (12 m)	2014	Hybrid	Cummins ISL9 Allison H 40 EP	14001-14041 (41)	LocalLink CityLink & LocalLink
	New Flyer	XD40	40 ft (12 m)	2016	Diesel	Cummins ISL9 Cummins L9 Allison B3400xFE	16001-16099 (99)	LocalLink CityLink	16054 retired on [11/01/2023]
	New Flyer	XD40	40 ft (12 m)	2016-17	Diesel	Cummins L9 Allison B3400xFE	17000-17072 (73)	LocalLink	• 17000 was originally numbered "16100", units 17000 - 28 are 2016 models. • 17056 retired on [03/15/2022.]
	New Flyer	XD40	40 ft (12 m)	2018	Diesel	Cummins L9 Allison B3400xFE	18001-18070 (70)	LocalLink
	New Flyer	XD40	40 ft (12 m)	2019	Diesel	Cummins L9 Allison B3400xFE	19001- 19070 (70)	LocalLink
	NovaBus	LFS	40 ft (12 m)	2020	Diesel	Cummins L9 Allison B3400xFE	20001-20030 (30)	LocalLink	• 20001 arrived in 2019.
	NovaBus	LFS-A	60 ft (18 m)	2020	Diesel	Cummins L9 Allison B3400xFE	20031- 20070 (40)	LocalLink	• 20031 arrived in 2019.
	NovaBus	LFS	40 ft (12 m)	2021	Diesel	Cummins L9 Allison B3400xFE	21001- 21070 (70)	LocalLink
	NovaBus	LFS	40 ft (12m)	2022	Diesel	Cummins L9 Allison B3400xFE	22001-22070 (70)	LocalLink	Arrived September 2022. First Buses To Have New Driver Shields.
	NovaBus	LFS	40 ft (12m)	2023	Diesel	Cummins L9 Allison B3400xFE	23001-23070 (70)	LocalLink	• 23067 involved in an accident in May 2024, now retired.
	New Flyer	XE40	40 ft (12m)	2023	Electric	Siemens ELFA3 ZF AVE130 (Motor)	23091-23094 (4)	Electric Wave Livery	Arrived in 2023, Entered Service Late January 2024.
	New Flyer	XE60	60 ft (18m)	2023	Electric	Siemens ELFA3 ZF AVE130 (Motor)	23095-23097 (3)	Electric Wave Livery	Arrived in 2023, Entered Service Late January 2024.
	NovaBus	LFS	40 ft (12m)	2024	Diesel	Cummins L9 Allison B3400xFE	24001-24070 (70)	LocalLink	Delivery in Process

On Order

Fleet number(s)	Year	Manufacturer	Model	Notes
25001-25050	2025	New Flyer	XDE40	Confirmed to be Hybrid-Electric buses purchased by the MTA.
25051-25070?	2025	New Flyer	XE40 NG	Order for 20 Electric Buses in 2025.
	2025	New Flyer	XE CHARGE FC	4 total hydrogen fuel cell buses to be ordered in 2025 Includes (2) 40 foot and (2) 60 foot articulated buses
	2026	GILLIG		Confirmed to be Battery-Electric buses.
	2026	GILLIG		Confirmed to be Hybrid-Electric buses.

Special Bus Fleet

Image	Builder	Model	Length (ft/m)	Year	Fuel Propulsion	Powertrain (Engine/Transmission)	Fleet Number	Notes
	Flxible/Grumman	870	40 ft (12 m)	1982	Diesel	Detroit Diesel 6V92TA Allison V730	3517	Originally part of an order of 81 buses (3501-3581). Converted into a mobile command bus.
	Flxible	Metro E	40 ft (12 m)	1995	Diesel	Detroit Diesel Series 50 Allison VR731RH	9526	Originally part of an order of 18 buses (9521-9539).
	NABI	436.07	60 ft (18 m)	1997	Diesel	Cummins M11E Voith D864.3E	9619	Originally part of an order of 20 buses (9601-9620). Converted to Comfort Zone Bus In 2017, converted to "BaltimoreLink Info Bus". Now Retired as of 2023.
	NABI	416.10	40 ft (12 m)	1999	Diesel	Cummins M11E Allison B400R	9919	Originally part of an order of 67 buses (9901-9967). Converted into the holiday bus. Currently preserved as a historic bus.
	New Flyer	D40LF	40 ft (12 m)	2004	Diesel	Cummins ISM Allison B400R-6 IV	04100	Originally part of an order of 125 buses (04001-04125). Converted into the holiday bus.
	New Flyer	D40LF	40 ft (12 m)	2005	Diesel	Cummins ISM Allison B400R-6 IV	05062	Originally part of an order of 94 buses (05001-05094). Converted into a MTA Police Bus.
	New Flyer	DE40LFR	40 ft (12 m)	2006	Hybrid	Cummins ISL Allison EP-40	06007	First hybrid buses in delivered to MTA Maryland. Originally part of an order of 10 buses (06001-06010). Preserved as a historic bus.

Bus yards

MTA local bus service in Baltimore is divided into four divisions, each served by its own maintenance yard. The first digit of a bus's "block number", attached to the bottom right corner of its windshield (from inside of bus), indicates its "base" division. The buses also feature a small letter suffix to the fleet series number. The letter represent the 'first letter' of the division's "name" from where the bus is based. The Eastern Bus Division will be closed in 2026 due to the garage being fully-rebuilt, with Bus Chargers (Like the rebuilt Kirk Avenue Division which re-opened in June 2021), And NEW Employee/Training Rooms. The garage will have a temporary lot, and where the current garage takes place at will be finished/opened around 2030. Other Garages will go under the same project, as the MTA is planning to transition to Electric Vehicles.

Base (No.)	Base (Letter)	Division	Routes	Yard location
1	B	Bush Street	OR, BL, GR, SV, YW, PR, BR, RD, 26, 29, 32, 38, 40, 56, 67, 69, 70, 71, 73, 75, 76, 77, 78, 94, 95, 103, 115, 150,	1515 Washington Blvd.
2	E	Eastern	NV, PK, OR, BL, 21, 22, 36, 40, 56, 59, 62, 63, 65, 105, 120, 160, 163	201 S. Oldham St.
3	K	Kirk Avenue	GR, PK, RD, SV, 21, 28, 30, 33, 51, 52, 53, 54, 57, 93, 103, 105, 154	2226 Kirk Ave.
4	N	Northwest	LM, YW, NV, GD, 22, 28, 30, 31, 34, 37, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 85, 87, 89, 91, 92, 94	4401 Mt. Hope Dr.

External links

• Official MTA website