The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA), better known as MTA Maryland, to avoid confusion with other cities' transit agencies who share the initials MTA, is a state operated transit service. The MTA operates a comprehensive transit system throughout the Baltimore Metropolitan Area and a commuter bus service in other parts of the state. More than 50 local bus lines, along with other transit modes, serve Baltimore's public transportation needs along with other services that include the Central Light Rail, Metro Subway, rapid bus, and MARC Train services. Image File history File links MTA Maryland logo File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... It has been suggested that Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV MSA be merged into this article or section. ... Skytrain Bangkok. ... is the 120th day of the year (121st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday. ... It has been suggested that Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV MSA be merged into this article or section. ... Light rail at BWI station The Baltimore Light Rail is a small light rail network serving Baltimore, Maryland and the surrounding suburbs. ... Exterior of the Charles Center Metro Subway station in downtown Baltimore The Metro Subway is a single-line rapid transit system serving the greater Baltimore area. ... MARC, prior to 1984 known as Maryland Rail Commuter Service, is a commuter rail system comprising three lines in the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. ...

History

The MTA was originally known as the Baltimore Metropolitan Transit Authority, then the Mass Transit Administration before it changed to its current name. The MTA took over the operations of the old Baltimore Transit Company on April 30, 1970. is the 120th day of the year (121st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday. ...

The routes of most of the agency's current bus lines are based on the original streetcars operated by the Baltimore Transit Company and its parent companies between the 1890s and 1960s. All these routes were ultimately converted to rubber tire bus operations, and many of them were consolidated, extended into newly developed areas, or otherwise reconfigured in order to keep up with the ridership demands of the times.

With the growth in popularity of the private automobile during the 20th century, streetcar and bus ridership declined, and the needs for public transportation changed. Mass transit in Baltimore and other cities shifted from a corporate operation to a tax-subsidized state-run service. The amount of service provided was greatly reduced, and some areas once served by streetcars are currently served by buses.

The demise of the Baltimore streetcar took place between the years of 1947 and 1963, as operators found buses to be low maintenance and more cost-efficient. As rails were demolished, Baltimore was no longer a streetcar city, and could never be one again.

Services

The MTA offers several services in the Baltmore Metropolitan Area, but the majority of them are focused in Baltimore. There are, however several bus lines that operate as shuttles that go to other area close to Maryland (i.e Washington DC).

Bus

Bus services operate throughout the Baltimore Metropolitan area and other parts of the state. These include local bus lines (routes 1 through 98 and routes M-1 throught M-17), which serve areas of Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Anne Arundel County. Commuter and express bus lines, which also operate within other parts of the state, include routes 120 through 995.

Local bus lines consist of two types: regular bus lines, which are identified by a one- or two- digit number, and metro connection lines, which bear the letter “M” followed by a one- or two-digit number. The “M” lines, which are concentrated in the northwest part of the city and suburbs in the vicinity of the Metro Subway, are designed to serve as feeder routes for the Metro system. In recent years, a reduction in the number of “M” lines has occurred due to elimination and consolidation of services.

Recent years have seen the introduction of the Neighborhood shuttles, also known as Shuttle Bugs. Theses local routes are focus on specific neighborhood and the transportation of persons around these communities.

Currently MTA Maryland operates two such routes. The Hampden Shuttle Bug (route 98), identified by a ladybug, was the first of these so-called Neighborhood shuttles to begin operation. The shuttle makes a circular route through the Baltimore neighborhood of Hampden. The second one, the Mondawmin Metro Shuttle (route 97), is identified by a grasshopper. Its focus is the area in and around the neighborhood of Mondawmin, specifically serving the Mondawmin stop on the Metro-Subway. Traditional Christmas decorations over 34th street block Hampden is a neighborhood located in northern Baltimore, Maryland, United States. ... ...

Plans were made to launch other shuttle services throughout Baltimore and into some of the suburbs, but the expansion of the service has been put on indefinite hold, with MTA putting its resources into other projects.

MTA also operates so called “Express” or “Commuter” Buses”; these routes should not be confused with “Express service” on the local standard bus routes. These routes offer limited service, mostly during weekday rush hour, between downtown Baltimore or Washington and various Park-and-Ride lots or other suburban locations In the state of Maryland. They are generally identified with a 3-digit number. The number of existing express routes has declined over the past two decades as new rapid transit services have been constructed, and poor-performing routes are eliminated or consolidated.

In 2005, MTA introduced a new form of express transit, known as “rapid bus service” or the No. 40 line. The line operates every 12-15 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 the no. 40 line.

Current bus routes

Further information: List of Maryland Transit Administration bus routes

The following routes are operated regularly by MTA. These include local, express, and commuter buses. Over the years, as MTA has modified most of its services, many bus lines have ceased operation. Some of these lines have been merged into others, and other services have been completely been discontinued in order to meet the needs of new and changing communities and changes in ridership habits. Some of the lines and branches that have operated since 1990 and are no longer in existence are as follows: The Maryland Transit Administration operates the following bus routes, many of which are the successors to streetcar lines (operated by the United Railways and Electric Company and later the Baltimore Transit Company), in the Baltimore Metropolitan Area of the U.S. state of Maryland. ...

See Route Nos.: 1 3 4 5 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 19 20 21 22 23 24 27 29 33 35 36 40 44 50 51 55 61 64 68 77 91 97 98 M-1 M-2 M-3 M-6 M-8 M-9 M-10 M-17 Route 1 or the No. ... The following is a list and description of bus routes currently operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore, Maryland. ... The following is a list and description of bus routes currently operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore, Maryland. ... Route 5 is a bus route in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. ... Route 7 is currently a bus route in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. ... A Route 8 bus operating along York Road in Lutherville Route 8 is a bus route in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. ... A Route 9 bus operating on York Road in Timonium Route 9 is a bus route in the suburbs of Baltimore, Maryland, United States. ... A Route 10 bus operating along Eastern Avenue in East Baltimores Highlandtown area Route 10 is a bus route in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. ... Route 11 is a bus route operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore, Maryland, United States and its suburbs. ... The following is a list and description of bus routes currently operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore, Maryland. ... Route 13 is a bus route operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. ... Route 14 is currently a bus route operated by the Maryland Transit Administration between the Patapsco Light Rail Stop in southern Baltimore, Maryland, United States and Annapolis. ... Route 15 is a bus route in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. ... The following is a list and description of bus routes currently operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore, Maryland. ... The following is a list and description of bus routes currently operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore, Maryland. ... A no. ... Route 20 is a bus route in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. ... Route 21 is a bus route operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. ... The following is a list and description of bus routes currently operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore, Maryland. ... Route 23 is a bus route operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore, Maryland, United States and its suburbs. ... The following is a list and description of bus routes currently operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore, Maryland. ... Route 27 is a bus route operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. ... The following is a list and description of bus routes currently operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore, Maryland. ... The following is a list and description of bus routes currently operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore, Maryland. ... Route 35 is currently a bus route operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore, Maryland, United States and its suburbs. ... The following is a list and description of bus routes currently operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore, Maryland. ... The following is a list and description of bus routes currently operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore, Maryland. ... The following is a list and description of bus routes currently operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore, Maryland. ... The following is a list and description of bus routes currently operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore, Maryland. ... The following is a list and description of bus routes currently operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore, Maryland. ... The following is a list and description of bus routes currently operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore, Maryland. ... Route 61 or the No. ... Route 64 is a bus route operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore, Maryland, United States and its suburbs. ... Route 68 is bus route operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore, Maryland. ... The following is a list and description of bus routes currently operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore, Maryland. ... Route 91 is a bus route operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. ... The following is a list and description of bus routes currently operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore, Maryland. ... The following is a list and description of bus routes currently operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore, Maryland. ... The following is a list and description of bus routes currently operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore, Maryland. ... The following is a list and description of bus routes currently operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore, Maryland. ... The following is a list and description of bus routes currently operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore, Maryland. ... The following is a list and description of bus routes currently operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore, Maryland. ... The following is a list and description of bus routes currently operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore, Maryland. ... The following is a list and description of bus routes currently operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore, Maryland. ... The following is a list and description of bus routes currently operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore, Maryland. ... The following is a list and description of bus routes currently operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore, Maryland. ...

Rail

Main article: Rail transit in Baltimore, Maryland

Baltimore, Maryland has two main rail-based public transit systems: the Metro Subway and the Both are operated by the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA). ...

Metro Subway

Main article: Metro Subway (Baltimore)

Baltimore Metro Subway train at State Center station

This system operates elevated and underground from Owings Mills, a corporate and shopping complex in Baltimore County, Maryland, into the heart of Downtown Baltimore City's business, shopping and sightseeing districts to the world-renowned Johns Hopkins Medical Center Complex. The 15.5-mile northwest-southeastbound route includes 14 station stops. The Metro Subway[1] is a single-line rapid transit system serving the greater Baltimore, Maryland, United States area and operated by the Maryland Transit Administration. ... ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 737 KB) Summary Westbound Baltimore Metro Subway vehicle at State Center station. ... ImageMetadata File history File links Download high resolution version (2048x1536, 737 KB) Summary Westbound Baltimore Metro Subway vehicle at State Center station. ... Owings Mills is an unincorporated community and a census-designated place in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States. ... For other uses of Baltimore, see Baltimore (disambiguation). ... Downtown Baltimore is the section of Baltimore traditionally bounded by Martin Luther King, Jr. ... The Johns Hopkins Hospital is a teaching hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. ...

In addition to the downtown area, Rogers Avenue and Mondawmin Stations serve as major connection hubs for the system. At these stops rider are able to gain connections to over 20 other bus lines at any given time.

Light Rail

Main article: Light Rail (Baltimore)

Light rail at BWI station

This service travels from Baltimore County’s Hunt Valley corporate, hotel, and shopping complex, through the heart of downtown Baltimore's shopping, sightseeing, dining, and entertainment districts, to BWI Marshall Airport and Cromwell Station/Glen Burnie in Anne Arundel County. There is also service to Amtrak’s Baltimore Penn Station. The Light Rail[1] is a small light rail system serving Baltimore, Maryland, United States and the surrounding suburbs. ... Download high resolution version (1034x823, 225 KB)Baltimore light rail system vehicle at the Baltimore-Washington International Airport station. ... Download high resolution version (1034x823, 225 KB)Baltimore light rail system vehicle at the Baltimore-Washington International Airport station. ... Baltimore/Washington International Airport serves the Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, DC metro-region. ... Pennsylvania Station (generally referred to as Penn Station) is the main train station in Baltimore, Maryland. ...

The Light Rail operates at street level, and travels on bridges crossing several bodies of water. There are 32 station stops along the 27.8 mile system.

The MTA completed double tracking of its light rail system in early 2006. The Maryland Transit Administration is also competing with Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to obtain federal funding to build a maglev train route from Washington D.C. to Baltimore, Maryland. Nickname: Motto: Benigno Numine (With the Benevolent Deity) Location in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Coordinates: , Country United States Commonwealth Pennsylvania County Allegheny Founded November 25, 1758 Incorporated April 22, 1794 (borough)   March 18, 1816 (city) Government  - Mayor Luke Ravenstahl (D) Area  - City 151. ... Shanghai Maglev Train stopping at terminus Longyang Road station Transrapid Shanghai Maglev Train Inside the Shanghai Transrapid maglev Inside the Shanghai Transrapid maglev VIP section Magnetic levitation transport, or maglev, is a form of transportation that suspends, guides and propels vehicles (especially trains) via electromagnetic force. ... Aerial photo (looking NW) of the Washington Monument and the White House in Washington, DC. Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia (also known as D.C.; Washington; the Nations Capital; the District; and, historically, the Federal City) is the capital city and administrative district of the United... Nickname: Motto: The Greatest City in America,[4] Get in on it. ...

MARC

See also: MARC Train

This service operates three rail lines that provide commuter service to riders out of and into Baltimore, Frederick, Aberdeen, Washington, D.C. and several other locations in between. MARC, prior to 1984 known as Maryland Rail Commuter Service, is a commuter rail system comprising three lines in the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. ...

The Brunswick Line provides service from: Union Station-Washington, DC; Silver Spring, Kensington, Garrett Park, Rockville, Washington Grove, Gaithersburg, Metropolitan Grove, Germantown, Boyds, Barnesville, Dickerson, Point Of Rocks, Brunswick, MD; Harpers Ferry, Duffields & Martinsburg, W.V. The Camden Line provides Service from: Washington Union Station; Riverdale, College Park, Greenbelt, Muirkirk, Laurel, Laurel Racetrack, Savage, Jessup, Dorsey, Saint Denis & Baltimore Camden Station.

MARC commuter train at Brunswick station

The Penn Line provides service from: Washington Union Station; New Carrollton, Seabrook, Bowie State, Odenton, BWI Rail Station, Halethorpe, West Baltimore, Baltimore/Penn Station Martin Airport, Edgewood, Aberdeen & Perryville. The MTA also oversees the operation of transit services in other jurisdictions in the state, with the exception of the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area, which is serviced by the Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority (WMATA). Such transit systems as Howard Transit, Carroll Area Transit Service, Annapolis Transit, Fredric County TransIT and Harford Transit are also partially funded by MTA as well. Download high resolution version (1536x1024, 228 KB)MARC commuter train conductor catching up with local news on a foggy morning at Point of Rocks. ... Download high resolution version (1536x1024, 228 KB)MARC commuter train conductor catching up with local news on a foggy morning at Point of Rocks. ...

Other Services

Paratransit

MTA Maryland was among the first transit agencies to offer paratransit for persons with disabilities. This "Mobility Service" is a non-fixed route service and consists of fleet of specially converted Ford F-350's and Ford Crown Victorias. Some service is contracted out to [[[MV Transportation[1] and Veolia Transportation, but all vehicles are owned by MTA. Transportation is arranged in advance by caller reservation. The F-Series is a series of full-size pickup trucks from Ford Motor Company sold for over 5 decades. ... For the Police Interceptor version used by law enforcement, see Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor. ... Veolia Transportation is a brand name of the international transport services division of the French-based multinational company Veolia Environnement previously known as Connex. ...

The one-way fare on these vehicles is $1.80, but those who qualify for parantransit have the ability to use their Paratransit ID card to ride any other mode of MTA transit, whether bus, light rail, subway, or water taxi, free of charge.

Taxi Access

A sub-service of the Paratransit program is MTA's Taxi Access program, designed with technology made by a company called MJM Management. The Taxi Access program ensures that any sufficiently physically disabled person that consistently requires Paratransit service can also qualify for the Taxi Access program. The Taxi Access program allows the bearer of a Taxi Access card to take a taxicab door-to-door within the limits of anywhere MTA Paratransit vans go; i.e. within 1/3 of a mile of an MTA public transit stop of any kind. Once the trip is complete, total out-of-pocket cost for the customer is $3.00, and the MTA picks up the rest of the price of the fare, "paying" it to the driver in the form of a voucher that s/he later redeems at his/her cab company headquarters. Out-of-pocket expenses are direct outlays of cash which are not reimbursed. ...

Fares

These are the current fare prices for the rails and buses as of July 2007.^[1]. Pricing for the MARC Train and Paratransit are done separately of the fares for its main services. July 2007 is the seventh month of that year. ...

Note: Disabled people and senior citizens with a special photo ID issued by the Maryland Transit Administration has a special fare structure. The United States dollar is the official currency of the United States. ...

The neighborhood shuttles have a special fare structure for one-way only. The United States dollar is the official currency of the United States. ...

• $1.00 per ride
• $0.50 per ride for disabled/senior citizens.

Fare Collection Methods

The Maryland Transit Administration, prior to the Summer of 2005, used an old, antiquated fare collection system which involved printing out a piece of paper with the date on it for a day pass and for transfers for students. The system had flaws in that some people wrote the wrong date on the day pass and was allowed to board the bus on that date for free, and students were passing their transfers to other students out the window and they used it to board the bus for free. People also sold day passes after use and they were accepted by the driver even though the ticket that was printed stated "THIS TICKET IS NON-TRANSFERRABLE." One former Maryland Transit Administration bus operator was arrested and charged with theft because every time he worked, this driver would board the bus 30 minutes before his scheduled shift and print out over 300 day passes and then sell them on the street.

From Summer 2005 to the present, the Maryland Transit Administration has switched to a new fare collection method which uses modern, state-of-the-art fareboxes that issue magnetic striped day passes, which can only be used on that day because the machine encodes the date and expiration time in the magnetic strip (Day passes expire at 3:00 AM), and transfers when swiped through the magnetic reader. It validates the pass and a time limit is placed on the pass so that a person cannot transfer the pass to another person to use for free boarding, which was a huge problem with the previous system. The transfers also expire after 90 minutes as well. The fareboxes that MTA ordered can also accept credit cards for payments, but it is unknown if MTA will take advantage of that feature. Magnetic passes, known as Go Passes, are also being used for weekly and monthly passes. Soon, the Maryland Transit Administration will sell smart cards for $5.00 under the name, Maryland Transit Pass, similar to WMATA's smart card system, the SmarTrip card. The smart card when sold, will not be activated. To activate the card, the user must add money to the card. The fareboxes on all buses will allow users to insert money and add value to their smart card. When the Maryland Transit pass system is fully implemented, it will be used not only on just Maryland Transit Administration transit services, but will also be able to be used in Washington D.C. on all WMATA buses and on the Washington Metro and in Northern Virginia. The smart card will also be able to be refilled automatically each month through registering the card with MTA and providing MTA with credit card information. Likewise, the WMATA SmarTrip card will be accepted by the fareboxes used by the MTA, though it is unclear if WMATA's upgrade to NextFare 4 will need to occur before this interoperability will be possible. A smartcard or smart card is a tiny secure cryptoprocessor embedded within a credit card-sized or smaller (like the GSM SIM) card. ... The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is a non-federal tri-jurisdictional agency authorized by Congress, and funded by the District of Columbia, Virginia, and Maryland that operates transit service in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. ... Front of a Washington Metro SmarTrip card. ... The Washington Metro, or simply Metro, is the rapid transit system of Washington, D.C., and neighboring suburban communities in Maryland and Virginia, both inside and outside the Capital Beltway. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

Vehicles

MTA Low Floor Hybrid Bus, coach #06003

The MTA's current fleet of buses contains Flxibles (formerly known as Grumman Flxible) buses that were ordered from 1980-1995, North American Bus Industries (NABI) buses ordered from 1995-2000, a fleet of articulated buses from NABI in 1996, and since 2003 a set of low-floor buses from Neoplan. Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (1024 × 768 pixel, file size: 458 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) MTA Maryland Low Floor Hybrid New Flyer bus, coach number 6003. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (1024 × 768 pixel, file size: 458 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) MTA Maryland Low Floor Hybrid New Flyer bus, coach number 6003. ... A 1987 Metro-B, owned by WMATA, serves as a roadblock in Washington, D.C. on Inauguration Day, January 20, 2005. ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ... North American Bus Industries, commonly known as NABI, is a major transit bus manufacturing company based in Anniston, Alabama and was linked to Ikarus Bus and Crown Coach joint venture. ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ... 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... A Mississauga Transit bus in Mississauga Ontario. ... Year 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar). ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The passenger door of a low-floor tram. ... An Neoplan AN460 bus arrives at the Silver Spring Metro station in Silver Spring, Maryland on February 9, 2005. ...

In early 2004, the MTA ordered more low floor buses, this time from New Flyer, and again in 2005. In 2006, the Maryland Transit Administration ordered 10 new low floor Hybrid buses from New Flyer to start revenue service in Spring 2006. These buses use a combination of gas and electrical power to decrease the amount of air pollution. shelby was here 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... New Flyer Industries is the leading bus manufacturer in North America, headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba. ...

MTA has plans to order up to 300 more Hybrid buses over six years if the 10 Hybrid buses perform well, making the 2012 MTA bus fleet 50% hybrid buses. A reason why Maryland might have not gotten Hybrid buses in previous bus orders was because of price: a Hybrid New Flyer transit bus costs $591,000 and a regular New Flyer transit bus that Maryland ordered for 2004-05 cost $354,000, a $237,000 price difference. The current plan for the MTA is to reduce the average age of the bus fleet by phasing out the Flxibles and replacing them with NABIs and New Flyers.

Special Programs

Baltimore City Public School System

A special agreement is set up between the Baltimore City Public School System and the Maryland Transit Administration to allow all eligible BCPSS students (usually students who live outside a predetermined area surrounding the school) during a school year to receive one color-coded booklet of dated tickets for each month with an ID card with a special number printed on the booklet and on the lower-right hand corner of the ticket itself. The tickets allow students to ride on MTA buses, light rail, and subway free going to and from school (there are two dated tickets for each day). The ID card with the special number is to verify that the student is the rightful owner of that ticket booklet, however, many MTA drivers do not ask for the ID card or they ask for it but don't verify that the number on the ID card matches the number on the ticket itself. Another abuse of the tickets is that some students use the tickets during the school day to go to other places than to school in the morning. The tickets are valid from 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. only, unless stamped with an official school stamp that usually includes the school name and address which is for special school-related events which go past 6:30 p.m. If a student, going home, needs extra time or needs to transfer to another bus, or to the light rail or subway, they can ask for a transfer from the bus driver which expires 90 minutes from the time it is issued. The school systems logo The Baltimore City Public School System (BCPSS) is a public school district in the state of Maryland that serves the youth of city of Baltimore (in distinction to the county of Baltimore). ...

The MTA also operates special supplemental bus service to aid in transporting students to/from city schools. The supplemental trips, which bear the same route numbers as many regular bus lines, share all of part of the route of their respective lines, with variation designed to enable students to reach school easily. These trips generally operate between 7 AM and 8:30 AM, and between 2:30 PM and 4 PM on city school days only. Though their schedules are not disclosed to the general public, the buses are open to the public for others to ride.

Additionally, MTA operates special services for several Baltimore area private and parochial schools in order to transport students to these schools from the areas where their students primarily reside. These buses, though they operate in the same manner as regular services, are generally not open to the public. Anyone who is not a student or employee of the school would usually be denied boarding. Some of these buses operate in areas not served by regular MTA routes.

MTA College Pass

The Maryland Transit Administration has a special program set up with 24 Baltimore area colleges and universities which allows college students who are enrolled in a minimum of 6 hours per week with the 24 colleges and universities can receive a monthly pass for $39.00. To disallow abuse, there are strict criteria for buying a college monthly pass: students are only allowed to buy one college pass from the college or university they are currently attending, and the college must see the college or university issued ID card and verify the student is enrolled in the college at a minimum of 6 hours per week. Students are not allowed to buy a college monthly pass for family, friends, or other students. Students using a college monthly pass must have a college or university issued ID displayed at all times when riding on all Maryland Transit Administration buses, light rail trains, and subway trains. Each of the 24 colleges and universities receive a certain number of college monthly passes each month and after the certain number is sold out, the MTA does not send any more to the college or university. Usually, the college monthly passes sell out by the second or third week of each month.

Participating Colleges

• Anne Arundel Community College (Bookstore)
• Baltimore City Community College – Liberty & Harbor Campuses (Cashier’s Office)
• Baltimore International College (Accounting Office)
• Catonsville Community College (Bookstore)
• College of Notre Dame of Maryland (Student Life Center)
• Coppin State University (Cashier’s Booth)
• Dundalk Community College (Bookstore)
• Essex Community College (Bookstore)
• Harrison Career Institute (Office)
• Johns Hopkins University – Homewood Campus (Garland Hall)
• Johns Hopkins University – School of Medicine (Office of Financial Affairs)
• Johns Hopkins University – School of Nursing (Student Accounts)
• Johns Hopkins University – School of Public Health (Business Office)
• Johns Hopkins University – School of Radiology (8 Market Place)
• Morgan State University (McKeldin Hall Student Center)
• North American Trade Schools – Security Blvd. (School Office)
• Sojourner Douglass College (Bursar’s Office)
• TESST College – Caton Ave. (Front Office)
• TESST College – Towson ( Business Office)
• Towson University (University Ticket Office)
• University of Baltimore (Business Office)
• University of Maryland, Baltimore (Parking Services)
• University of Maryland Baltimore County - UMBC (The Commons, Ste 309)
• Villa Julie College (Student Union)

== Laws == For the safety and security of all passengers and employees, MTA enforces some laws, mostly enacted by the State of Maryland, for which violation can result in fines up to several hundred dollars per offense, and possible short jail sentences. The laws are applicable while on any MTA bus or train, inside of any Metro subway station, on the platform at any light rail stop, and in some cases, at bus stops or on the lots of MTA Park-and-Rides, and may only be preempted with written or verbal consent from an authorized MTA employee. They are posted on some MTA vehicles, and found in other literature offered by MTA, and are as follows: Anne Arundel Community College, founded in 1961, is located in Arnold, Maryland. ... Baltimore City Community College dates its origins to the Baltimore Junior College, founded as part of the Baltimore City Public Schools Syetem in 1947 to provide post-high school education for returning World War II veterans and was the inspiration of Dr. Harry Bard. ... The Baltimore International College, founded in 1972, is a college located in Baltimore, Maryland that grants specialized degrees in Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management. ... The Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) is an accredited community college located in Baltimore County, Maryland in the United States with three main campuses and two extension centers. ... The College of Notre Dame of Maryland (CND) is an independent, Catholic- affiliated, liberal arts college located in Baltimore, Maryland, United States, that primarily serves women students. ... Coppin State University, located on 46 acres (186,000 m²) in Baltimore, Maryland, is part of the University System of Maryland. ... The Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) is an accredited community college located in Baltimore County, Maryland in the United States with three main campuses and two extension centers. ... The Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) is an accredited community college located in Baltimore County, Maryland in the United States with three main campuses and two extension centers. ... Morgan State University, formerly Centenary Biblical Institute (1867-1890), Morgan College (1890 -1975), is located in residential Baltimore, Maryland. ... North American Trade Schools was founded by Sheldon Monsein in Landover, Maryland in 1970. ... Towson University, formerly Maryland State Normal School (1866-1935), Maryland State Teachers College at Towson (1935-1963), Towson State College (1963-1976), Towson State University (1976-1997), is a public university located in Towson in Baltimore County, Maryland. ... The University of Baltimore (UB), located in Baltimore, Maryland, is part of the University System of Maryland. ... University of Maryland, Baltimore, (also known as UMB) was founded in 1807. ... The University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) is a public university, part of the University System of Maryland, located in the southwest Baltimore County communities of Catonsville and Arbutus. ... Villa Julie College is located in Baltimore County, Maryland in the Greenspring Valley area. ... This article is about law in society. ... Official language(s) None (English, de facto) Capital Annapolis Largest city Baltimore Area  Ranked 42nd  - Total 12,407 sq mi (32,133 km²)  - Width 90 miles (145 km)  - Length 249 miles (400 km)  - % water 21  - Latitude 37°53N to 39°43N  - Longitude 75°4W to 79°33... FINE was created in 1998 and is an informal association of the four main Fair Trade networks: F Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO) I International Fair Trade Association (IFAT) N Network of European Worldshops (NEWS!) and E European Fair Trade Association (EFTA) // The aim of FINE is to enable these... This article is about light rail systems in general. ...

• Boarding or attempting to board an MTA vehicle without paying the full fare required by law, or displaying proof of payment as requested by an MTA operator or employee.
• Fraudulently selling, transferring, sharing, or otherwise misusing any MTA pass or fare-related document.
• Consuming food or beverage or carrying an open food or beverage container while on an MTA vehicle or in an MTA station.
• Smoking or carrying lighted tobacco products.
• Boarding or riding an MTA vehicle while intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol or any legally controlled substance.
• Littering or disposing of any waste, except in receptacles provided for that purpose.
• Listening to a radio or other sound-producing device, or playing a musical instrument, except with earphones through which only the user can hear.
• Engaging in conversation with the operator of a bus or train while the vehicle is in motion, except for the purpose of making necessary communication pertaining to travel (i.e. obtaining directions).
• Engaging in conversation with another passenger or on a mobile phone or communication device in a location or manner in which the conversation is audible to the operator of the bus or train while the vehicle is in motion.
• Attempting to engage another passenger in conversation after that passenger has clearly stated his/her wishes not to be involved in the conversation.
• Fighting physically or verbally or engaging in rough play or ball playing while on MTA property.
• Use of foul or offensive language while on any MTA property.
• Engaging in a conversation with others while on MTA property of a crude of sexual nature that is audible to others not involved in the conversation.
• Graffiti or any other forms of vandalism of MTA vehicles or property.
• Distribution of any literature while on MTA property advertising business, politics, religion, or any other views, or verbally attempting solicit any of these from other passengers.
• Soliciting, conducting, or arranging any business transactions on any MTA property.
• Photographing, audio-taping, or video-taping any MTA vehicle, station, parking lot, or other property from within MTA vehicle, station, parking lot, or property, except for preapproved journalistic purposes. Making use of any camera or recording device while on MTA such property, unless photo/video taken is of non-MTA property outside of the vehicle/station and is otherwise legal.
• Carrying any weapons, explosives, flammables, hazardous chemicals, or other dangerous substances on MTA property, except for firearms licensed to be carried.
• Carrying any objects with an odor offensive to others, or that carry a high risk for causing a mess or damage to an MTA vehicle or property.
• Boarding an MTA vehicle with any object greater than 44" in any single dimension, or greater than 28" in two or more dimensions, except for mobility devices and other objects specifically allowed.
• Carrying more personal belongings at any given time than can be carried and easily moved about continually.
• Carrying live animals, except for service animals to assist the handicapped, or those properly packaged in cages or containers.
• Standing on an MTA vehicle while in motion, except when no seats are available, or when changing seats.
• Taking up more than one seat with self or personal belongings, when seats are in need by other passengers, unless necessary due to weight or disability.
• Failure to vacate a seat designated for the elderly or handicapped when requested to do so by an entitled individual or an MTA operator or employee.
• Loitering on MTA property, or staying longer than is necessary at an MTA rail station, sheltered bus stop, or a bench owed by MTA and designated as a bus stop, in order to catch a bus or train, or wait for a taxi, ride or arranged meeting after getting off a bus or train.
• Riding an MTA bus or train to its layover point, then continuing to ride the next run in the opposite direction, except to reach part of reverse route found in that direction only, or with approval from the operator. This law includes and applies strictly to unlimited pass holders.
• Sleeping on an MTA vehicle or MTA property, except for light dozing.
• Disrupting or hindering with the safe and efficient operation of an MTA vehicle or MTA services.
• Failure to obey the orders of an MTA operator, officer, or otherwise authorized employee.

No sufficient concrete evidence to support these so called "laws". Shredded tobacco leaf for pipe smoking Tobacco can also be pressed into plugs and sliced into flakes Tobacco is an agricultural product processed from the fresh leaves of plants in genus Nicotiana. ... Functional group of an alcohol molecule. ... Litter in the habitat of a lizard. ... This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone and/or spelling. ... Graffiti (strictly, as singular, graffito, from the Italian — graffiti being the plural) are images or letters applied without permission to publicly viewable surfaces such as walls or bridges. ... Vandalism is the conspicuous defacement or destruction of a structure, a symbol or anything else that goes against the will of the owner/governing body. ... Commercialism redirects here. ... Large format camera lens. ... Old age consists of ages nearing the average lifespan of human beings, and thus the end of the human life cycle. ... Handicapped may refer to: Disability, a human condition. ...

Criticism

Over the years, MTA has been heavily criticized by its riders, delegates, community activists, and other advocates. Criticism has included that the system is slow, that its buses (even the new ones) break down far too often; and that the system is too unreliable to ensure that workers on wage-based work can get to their jobs on time, and that many areas where such workers need to reach have little or no bus service. In addition, suburban bus service on busy corridors is very minimal, and some suburban communities have no service at all. In comparison with European systems, MTA's system is pretty pathetic by any standard.

In the summer of 2005, MTA announced a proposed sweeping overhaul of the bus system that they dubbed the Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative (GBBI). The plan included changes to all but six of the area's then 59 local bus lines as well as some express and commuter services. Among these modifications were extensions, consolidations, and in some cases, elimination of service. But all were described by MTA as improvements. According to MTA, these changes, for the most part, were designed to make bus service in the Baltimore area simpler and more efficient. But they were heavily criticized by riders, advocates, and the local media. Opponents stated that most of these changes made the service difficult, if not impossible, for riders. The Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative (GBBI) was a sweeping overhaul planned by the Maryland Transit Administration that was announced in the early summer of 2005. ...

On October 23, 2005, the original date these changes were planned, a scaled-back version of GBBI was implemented. Modifications were made to just twenty lines. These changes were supposedly considered to be among the least controversial. Yet they were still heavily criticized. As a result, on February 5, 2006, some of the modified bus lines saw farther improvement.

In March 2006, MTA announced without prior notice that in just three months, Phase II of GBBI would be implemented. Changes would be made to 23 bus lines, all without any hearings. This drew concern from community leaders and the Maryland General Assembly, which passed a law prohibiting any changes unless several stipulations were met, including at least hearing.

MTA met all the stipulations specified by the General Assembly. In October 2006, additional improvements were made on five more lines. However, any further changes to other lines were delayed in 2007 when Martin O'Malley took over as governor, and MTA waited for his administration's stamp of approval. Martin Joseph OMalley (born January 18, 1963) is a Democratic politician and the 61st and current Governor of Maryland. ...

In May 2007, MTA canceled the remainder of GBBI, and announced that instead, a small number of changes would be made three times each year.

One month later, MTA made changes on 19 bus lines [2]. Most of these changes were very minor, usually involving the addition of a small number of trips to the schedule, adding more time to certain trips, or rescheduling certain trips to coordinate with other services. The most significant improvement took place on Route 15, on which service returned to its old route on Forest Park Avenue, and the White Marsh branch became full time. Route 15 is a bus route in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. ... White Marsh Mall is a shopping mall in the unincorporated community and new town of White Marsh in Baltimore County, Maryland. ...

External links

• Official MTA site
• Baltimore Transit Company history, including a forum