MTA BaltimoreLink

Local buses

In June 2017, Maryland governor Larry Hogan launched BaltimoreLink as part of an initiative for a better transit system in Baltimore.^[6] Local bus lines are identified with a one- or two-digit number. Many numerical designations date back to Baltimore streetcars, and use the route numbers of the streetcars which had operated on 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 do not have evening service, operate on weekdays or during peak hours only, or at times needed by certain employers.^[7]

Until 2009, routes operated in the northwest part of the city and suburbs were known as Metro connection buses. The routes were designated with the letter M followed by a number, and operated from a Metro station to a specified location or between two Metro stations. When 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, the letter M was used for "Metro."

The number of M lines had declined since 1988; many 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; the number increased to eight after the M-6 route was restored several months later.

In 2008 and 2009, all M lines were renamed with two-digit numerical designations from 52 to 54 and 56 to 60. Route changes were also made, including merges, splits and the elimination of part of Route M-17.^[8][9]

Express, commuter, and Intercounty Connector buses

MTA express routes are distinct from "express" trips assigned to several local bus routes. Express routes provide rapid service by limiting the number of stops along a route. The number of express routes has declined due to the construction of new rapid-transit services and the elimination or consolidation of under-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.^[10] Commuter routes provide service between locations not connected by local bus routes.^[4]

Both express and commuter routes, identified with 3-digit numbers, offer service primarily during weekday rush hours between downtown areas and Park-and-Ride lots or other suburban locations in Maryland. The commuter routes, designated with higher numbers, are operated by contractors rather than MTA employees.^[4]

The newest addition to commuter bus service since 2010, known as the Intercounty Connector (ICC), operates from Gaithersburg to BWI Marshall Airport, University of Maryland College Park and Fort Meade on the new Intercounty Connector expressway in central Maryland.

Neighborhood Shuttle Bug

Two local MTA routes were neighborhood shuttles, also known as Shuttle Bugs. These local routes operated in specific neighborhoods to transport people within the communities.

During the early 2000s, MTA introduced the routes. Differences from the other routes included:

• Reduced fare for a single ride: $1, rather than the $1.60 charged on other buses. MTA unlimited-ride passes (also known as GO-passes) can be used.^[11]
• Three distinctively-painted, 30-foot Opus buses were purchased in 2006 for the Mondawmin shuttle.^[12]
• Bus-stop signs have unique identifications, different from regular bus-stop signs. The Hampden Shuttle is identified by a ladybug, and the Mondawmin Shuttle uses a grasshopper.^[13]

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, and no timetable was developed for the other neighborhood shuttle routes.^[14]

A proposed Shuttle Bug route between Randallstown and the Owings Mills Metro Subway Station was opposed by residents along its route. Objections included noise concerns.^[15]

In 2005 and 2006, as part of the Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative, MTA proposed changes to these routes which included eliminating Route 98 and reducing service on Route 97 to once an hour.^[16] Route 98 was shifted in 2008 to replace service on Roland Avenue which was lost in a change to Route 27.^[17]

Shuttle-bug service was discontinued as part of BaltimoreLink in 2017, and Route 97 was replaced by LocalLink 82.^[18] Most of Route 98 was replaced by LocalLink 21.^[19]

QuickBus

In 2005, the MTA introduced a form of express transit known as rapid bus service; the first route was Route 40. The line operates every 10 to 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. Local fares are charged on Route 40, which was later named QuickBus.^[20]

In 2009, a new QuickBus route was introduced. Designated as QuickBus 48, it operates on the same route as Route 8 except for the section north of Towson Town Center.^[8] A proposed QuickBus route along Route 3, with the designation Route 43, was delayed.^[21]

Two more QuickBus routes operated from August 30, 2010, to June 17, 2017. QuickBus 46 operated alongside routes 5 and 10 from the Paradise Avenue loop to Cedonia Loop. QuickBus 47 traveled along route 15 from Walbrook Junction to Overlea Loop. Both buses operated on weekdays at peak hours only.^[22]

In 2022, MTA Maryland proposed a plan to reintroduce QuickBus-like service as QuickLink as part of the fall 2022 service changes.^[23] The proposal would include a pilot QuickLink 40 east–west limited-stop bus route. QuickLink 40 would operate every 20 minutes during peak hours and every 30 minutes during midday from North Bend to the Essex Park and Ride.^[24] The pilot service was placed on hold as MDOT MTA focuses on improving system-wide reliability, but may be included in future service changes.^[25]