- History of MTA Maryland
-
The Maryland Transit Administration was originally known as the Baltimore Metropolitan Transit Authority, then the Maryland 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.[1]
Many routes 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 of these routes were ultimately converted to rubber tire bus operations, and many were consolidated, extended into newly developed areas, or otherwise reconfigured to keep up with the ridership demands of the times.[1] Additional routes and extensions were added in later years to serve newly developed communities and to feed into Metro and Light Rail stations.
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. Some areas once served by streetcars are now served minimally by buses or not at all.[1]
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. With its rails demolished, Baltimore was no longer a streetcar city. As transit needs and trends changed, rail transit did return to the city, with the Metro Subway opening in 1983 and the Light Rail in 1992.[1]
Contents
Parent companies
The following bus companies operated many of the services later provided by the Maryland Transit Administration:
Baltimore Transit Company
The Baltimore Transit Company (BTCO) was a privately owned public transit operator that provided streetcar and bus service in Baltimore, Maryland, from 1935. The company was purchased in 1948 by National City Lines and the streetcar system was then run down in favour of buses, a process repeated in many places which became known as the Great American Streetcar Scandal. The last streetcar ran in 1963.[2] BTCO was absorbed by what is now the Maryland Transit Administration in 1970. The BTC oversaw the elimination of streetcar service in favor of bus service in 1963 when the last streetcar routes, the number 8 providing service from Catonsville to Towson and the number 15 (Overlea to Walbrook Junction) were eliminated.
Old Court Bus Lines
Old Court Bus Lines was a service that provided van transport in northwest Baltimore County.[3] Its lines served places including Stevenson and Villa Julie College. These services have been provided by MTA since 1973, though much of them have been cut back or modified. Bus Route 60 currently serves Stevenson University, which was formerly known as Villa Julie.
Rosedale Passenger Lines
Operated service in eastern Baltimore County.[3] Most of its services later became a part of Bus Route 23. The only one still provided by MTA is service to Victory Villa, currently on Route 4.
Dundalk Bus Lines
Dundalk Bus Lines provided service in various parts of southeast Baltimore County between 1940 and 1972.[4] MTA currently serves some of these areas with Bus Route 4.
McMahon Services
Operated in northeast Baltimore County. The only route incorporated by MTA was Route 19A,[3] which later became known as Route 105. Discontinued in 2005.
Job Express Transit
Operated several routes during the 1960s. Most notably, Route H became known as the #7 Rosewood Express serving Rosewood Center for more than 30 years. The #7 Rosewood Express service ultimately became Route 102 in 2000, and was absorbed by Route M-17 in 2005. Route M-17, along with this service, was eliminated in 2009.
Auxiliary Bus Lines
Operated some of the routes around the city, such as what is now Route 51.
Former bus routes
Route Major Streets Places Served Years of operation Replaced by Notes 2
Fox Ridge to
OverleaRossville Boulevard
Kenwood AvenueGolden Ring Mall
Franklin Square Hospital
Essex Community College
Rosedale1972–1977 Route 55 2
Catonsville to
City HallRolling Road
Frederick Road
Pratt Street
Lombard StreetYale Heights
B&O Railroad Museum1982–2005 Route 10 Combined with Route 10 as part of GBBI to provide single-seat crosstown service 6
Wagner's Point to
Roland Park
East MonumentHanover Street
St. Paul Street
Roland Avenue
Monument StreetCurtis Bay
Federal Hill
Charles Village
Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins Hospital1948–1977 Routes 61, 62, 63 (currently Route 64), and 64 Was split into four routes. Service today currently provided in the Roland Park area by Route 61 (peak hours only), in East Baltimore on Route 35, and south of downtown on Route 64. 6
Eastpoint to
Ft. HowardNorth Point Road North Point
Edgemere1997–1998 not replaced Previously, Ft. Howard had been served by other routes including the #26 Streetcar, Bus Route 9, and the current Bus Route 4. Route 4 service was eliminated in 1993 and replaced by a private contractor. Route 6 restored MTA service there in 1997, but was eliminated a year later. 6
Edmondson Village to
CedoniaBaltimore Street
Federal Street
Sinclair Lane
Cedonia AvenueDowntown Baltimore
Johns Hopkins Hospital2008-2010 Routes 30, 46 West side service replaced with a new Route 30, which also serves part of the route of current Route 10. Eastside service replaced with Route 46 Quickbus. 9
Catonsville to
Ellicott CityFrederick Road Oella 1955–1957 not replaced at time Route 150 currently provides service between Baltimore and Ellicott City during peak hours 9
Sparrows Point to
Ft. HowardNorth Point Road Edgemere 1971–1973 Routes 4, 10
(service currently
not provided)12
Westview/
Essex to
DowntownU.S. Route 40
Interstate 95Catonsville
Essex1972–1991 Routes 150, 160 Route 12 was the designation for express routes from both the western and eastern suburbs. The route was redesignated in 1991. 12
North Linthicum Light Rail Stop to
Parkway CenterNursery Road
Hammonds Ferry Road
Camp Meade Road
Aviation Boulevard
Dorsey RoadLinthicum
BWI Airport
BWI Amtrak1993–1996 Route 17 Route 12 was formed in 1993 as a replacement for Route 230, which was eliminated in conjunction with the opening of the south end of the Light Rail. It also served a part of Route 17, which had been rerouted at the time. In 1996, Routes 12 and 17 were combined, with portions of both routes eliminated and not replaced. 15A
Kingsville to Downtown BaltimoreOverlea Belair Road 1973–1991 Route 43 (currently Route 15) Was redesignated as Route 43 in 1991. Route 43 Kingsville service was merged into Route 15 in 1992. Route 43 White Marsh service was marged into Route 66 at the same time, but Route 66 was eliminated in 1993, and White Marsh service became a part of Route 15. 16
Odenton/Ft. Meade/BWI Airport to
DowntownAviation Boulevard
Dorsey RoadBWI Airport
BWI AmtrakRoute 230
(currently Route 17 and other agencies)16
North Linthicum Light Rail Stop to
Ft. MeadeBaltimore-Washington Parkway express service 1993–1995 Private carrier (currently other agencies) Connect-a-ride Route K currently provides service to Ft. Meade from Arundel Mills 18
Hereford/Warren Road
Timonium Park-and-Ride to
DowntownYork Road
Interstate 83Cockeysville
Timonium1973–1992 Light Rail Express trips were discontinued in 1992 along with the opening of the Light Rail. The Route 18 designation was used as a Timonium-Hunt Valley shuttle starting on that day, but it was later discontinued. 18
Timonium Light Rail Stop to Hunt Valley MallYork Road Cockeysville 1992-1993 Route 9 Route nearly duplicated Route 9 18
Cromwell Light Rail Stop to Old MillOakwood Road
Elvaton Road
Old Mill RoadGlen Burnie 1993–1996 not replaced In 1995, service after 7 PM was discontinued. In 1996, line was completely discontinued due to low ridership. 24
Pimlico Park and Ride1974–1984 Metro Subway 24
Brooklyn to Curtis BayPatapsco Avenue 1986–1987 Route 22 (currently Route 16) 26
Sparrows Point to HighlandtownEastern Avenue
Dundalk Avenue1958–1959 Route 10 (no Sparrows Point service) 26
Providence Road Park-and-Ride to Downtown Baltimoreexpress service Towson 1976–1993 Shuttle to Light Rail Was an express service that operated through Towson, then downtown via I=-83. In 1992, along with the Light Rail opening, the number of trips were cut in half. In 1993, all express service was discontinued. A shuttle was formed in response to protests to total elimination. 26
Providence Road Park-and-Ride to Lutherville Light Rail StopFairmount Avenue
Seminary Avenue
Ridgely RoadTowson Town Center
Hampton1993–1995 not replaced 27
Washington Boulevard lineWashington Boulevard Pigtown 1957–1959 Route 11 Merged into Route 11. Service currently provided by Route 36. 28
Randallstown to Cherry Hill/Baltimore HighlandsLiberty Road/Liberty Heights Avenue
Eutaw Street/PlaceMondawmin
Reservoir Hill
Bolton Hill1947–2001 Routes 5
27
29
91
M-1
M-6In 1984, service west of Mondawmin was replaced with "M-lines" during Metro's hours. In 1993, service south of the Cherry Hill Light Rail Stop was replaced with Routes 29 and 30 (which has since been replaced by Route 51).
In 1996, all Monday-Saturday service was discontinued. Route 5 was modified to replace service in Reservoir Hill, Route 27 was extended to Cherry Hill, and service elsewhere on the route was provided already by other existing lines.
In 2001, the remaining service on Sunday was discontinued when M-lines started to operate on Sundays.29
Roland Park to Downtown BaltimoreRoland Avenue
University Parkway
St. Paul StreetCharles Village
Johns Hopkins University1947–1959 Route 6
(currently 61)29
Timonium Park-and-Ride to Downtown BaltimoreI-83 express service 1983–1988 Route 18 (currently Light Rail) 30
Clement and Charles to Charles St. & North AvenueFremont Avenue Bolton Hill
Ridgely's Delight1950–1993 not replaced In 1992, service on this route was cut in half. When discontinued in 1993, no replacement service on route was provided, but other buses operate near entire route. 30
Cherry Hill Light Rail Stop to Patapsco Light Rail StopHollins Ferry Road Mt. Winans
Baltimore Highlands1993–2001 Route 51 Merged into Route 51 31
Halethorpe to Penn StationWilkens Avenue UMBC
St. Agnes Hospital1987–2005 Routes 35 and 77 Service between UMBC and downtown merged into Route 35 in 2005 as part of GBBI. Service between UMBC and Halethorpe replaced by Route 77. 32
Randallstown to Downtown BaltimoreMilford Mill
Howard ParkLiberty Heights Avenue 1955–1959 Route 28 Routes 52 and 54 currently provide service on Liberty Road/Heights Avenue 32
Hillen Road Park-and-Ride to Downtown BaltimoreWaverly
Charles VillagePerring Parkway
Hillen Road
33rd Street
St. Paul Street
Calvert Street1979–1982 not replaced; Route 3 operates nearby 33 Milton Street 1950–1954 Route 13 34
North & Washington to Canton/HighlandtownFells Point Wolfe Street
Eastern Avenue1950–1975 Routes 10 and 13 35
Lorraine to Walbrook JunctionWindsor Hills Forest Park Avenue 1954–1966 Route 15 35
UMBC to Catonsville Community CollegeWilkens Avenue
Rolling Road1966 College operated shuttles Route 77 currently provides service between UMBC and CCBC Catonsville 35
Garrison Boulevard to Morgan State UniversityArington
Roland Park
HomelandColdspring Lane 1968–1969 Route 33 37
Randallstown to Cherry HillMilford Mill
Lochearn
Howard Park
Mondawmin
Reservoir Hill
Bolton Hill
WestportLiberty Heights Avenue
Eutaw Street
Russell Street1947–1974 Route 28 (currently Routes 54, 52, 5, 91, and 27) No. 37 designation was specifically reserved for trips on the route of bus no. 28 going to Cherry Hill 38
Sparrows Point to Ft. Howard1951–1952 Dundalk Bus Lines (service currently not provided) 40
Pikesville to GlyndonOwings Mills
ReisterstownReisterstown Road 1948–1951 Route M Currently, routes 56 and 59 operate along this route 43
Kingsville/White Marsh to Downtown BaltimoreOverlea Belair Road 1990–1992 Route 15 44X
Springlake Way & Bellona Avenue to OverleaHamilton Northern Parkway 1970–1990 Route 66 No line currently operating on full length of route. Route 55 covers the portion of this line between McLean Boulevard and Overlea. 45
Baynesille to WaverlyLoch Raven Boulevard 1949–1956 Route 3 46
Clipper Mill to HampdenUnion Avenue 1949–1970 Route 22 (currently Route 98) 47
Cheswolde to DowntownCross Country Boulevard 1950–1989 not replaced Riders directed to take bus to Metro. Route 58 currently serves area and connects to Metro and Light Rail. 52
Lansdowne to Morrell ParkWashington Boulevard
Hammonds Ferry Road1948–1957 Route 27 Currently served by Route 36 53
Parkville to CarneyHarford Road 1948–1956 Route 19 54
Randallstown to Gwynn Oak JunctionMilford Mill
Lochearn
Sudbrook ParkLiberty Road
Milford Mill Road1948–1955 Route 32 Currently served by routes 52 and new Route 54 (unrelated) 55 North Point Road 1948–1952 Dundalk Bus Lines (currently Route 4) 56
Murray Hill to Bedford SquareHomeland
Roland ParkCharles Street 1948–1953 Route 11 57
Old York Rd. & 33rd St. to Harford Rd.Waverly Gorsuch Avenue 1947–1975 not replaced (close to Route 22 and other routes) 58
Brighton to Greenspring ManorFallstaff Cross Country Boulevard 1948–1975 Route 44 (currently new Route 58) 58
Reisterstown Road Plaza to Mt. WashingtonPikesville Smith Avenue 1976–1978 not immediately replaced (currently Route 60) 58A
Reisterstown Road Plaza to GreenwoodPikesville
Villa Julie CollegeStevenson Road
Greenspring Valley Road1973–1975 Route 5 (later Metro connection routes; service to Stevenson University (formerly Villa Julie) is now provided by Route 60; service on Stevenson Road is not provided.) 59
Ponca & Holabird to Colgate Warehouses1948–1953 not replaced 61
Pier 6 Parking Lot to Preston Street Parking LotDowntown Baltimore Howard Street
Saratoga Street1946–1949 not replaced 62
Hollander Ridge to Inner HarborArmistead Gardens
Johns Hopkins HospitalPulaski Highway
Madison/Monument1977–2000 Route 35 63
Curtis Bay to Davison ChemicalPennington Avenue 1948–1951 Route 6 (currently Route 64; no service to Davison Chemical since 1993) 63
Riviera Beach to
Downtown (1977–1993)
Patapsco Light Rail Stop (1993–1996)Ft. Smallwood Road
Pennington Avenue1977–1996 Route 64 65
Patapsco Light Rail Stop to Wagner's PointPatapsco Avenue
Frankfurst Avenue2003–2005 not replaced 66
Bellona and Springlake to OverleaHamilton Northern Parkway 1991–1993 Routes 36 and 55 67
Howardsville Station to Pleasant StreetSudbrook Park
PikesvilleReisterstown Road 1956–1968 not replaced (Metro Subway currently serves route) 68
Walbrook Junction to Windsor HillsForest Park
Dickeyville Historic DistrictForest Park Avenue 2003–2007 Route 15 70
Fallsway Park-and-Ride shuttleDowntown Baltimore 1990–1992 not replaced 71
Charles Center Metro Subway Station to Johns Hopkins Metro Subway Station1988–1995 Metro Subway extended to Hopkins in 1995 73
Penn Station to Downtown BaltimoreMARC shuttle 1991 not replaced 76
Towson shuttle1985–1990 not replaced 86
various locations to Social Securityvarious routes 1960–2005 not replaced; riders directed to use other lines 87
North & Milton to Social SecurityWest Baltimore North Avenue
Edmondson Avenue1985–1990 not replaced; riders directed to use other lines 102
Rosewood Center to Fremont AvenueRosewood Lane
Reisterstown Road
Park Heights Avenue
Pennsylvania Avenue
Fremont AvenueOwings Mills
Pikesville
Park Heights2001–2005 Route M-17 (now completely defunct) M-1
Mondawmin Metro Subway Station to Milford MillBaltimore City Community College
Howard Park
Gwynn Oak
LochearnLiberty Heights Avenue/Liberty Road 1984–2009 Redesignated Route 52; no routing changes made M-2
Mondawmin Metro Subway Station to Old Court Metro Subway StationPark Heights
Reisterstown Road Plaza
PikesvilleReisterstown Road
Old Court Road1984–2009 Redesignated Route 53; no routing changes made M-3
Penn-North Metro Subway Station to Milford Mill Metro Subway StationPark Heights
Pimlico Race Course
Druid Hill Park
MondawminPark Heights Avenue
Slade Avenue1984–2009 Route 54 M-5
Rogers Avenue Metro Subway Station to TowsonCheswolde
Mt. Washington
RuxtonGlen Avenue
Greenspring Avenue
Smith Avenue
Falls Road
Ruxton Road
Bellona Avenue
Joppa Road1987–1992 Route M-10 (currently provided by Route 58 M-6
Rogers Avenue Metro Subway Station to Security Square MallHoward Park
Woodlawn
Social Security AdministrationGwynn Oak Avenue
Woodlawn Drive1987–2009 Redesignated Route 57; no routing changes made M-8
Rogers Avenue Metro Subway Station to RandallstownMilford Mill
Northwest HospitalMilford Mill Road
Liberty Road1987–2009 Route 54 M-9
Reisterstown Plaza Metro Subway Station to GlyndonPikesville
Garrison
Owings MillsReisterstown Road
Painters Mill Road1987–2008 Routes 56 and 59 M-10
Reisterstown Plaza Metro Subway Station to Villa Julie CollegeCheswolde
Fallstaff
Ranchleigh
Mt. Washington
Greenspring StationClarks Lane
Glen Avenue
Greenspring Avenue
Smith Avenue
Falls Road1987–2008 Routes 58 and 60 M-12
Milford Mill Metro Subway Station to Greenwood/Caves RoadStevenson
Villa Julie CollegeStevenson Road
Greenspring Valley Road
Park Heights Avenue1987–2005 Service to Villa Julie replaced by Route M-10 (currently Route 60). Service to other parts of line not replaced. M-13
Milford Mill Metro Subway Station to Milford Mill/Bellemore FarmsMilford Mill Road
Scotts Level Road1987–1988 Route M-1 M-15
Randallstown to Pikesville/Owings MillsLiberty Road
Old Court Road
Reisterstown Road1987–1992 Route M-9, other existing routes M-16
Owings Mills Metro Subway Station to ReisterstownReisterstown Road 1987–1997 Route M-9 (currently Route 56) M-17
Owings Mills Metro Subway Station to Owings Mills Town Center1987–1992 Routes M-9 and M-16 (currently Routes 56 and 59) M-17
Owings Mills Metro Subway Station to Business Center at Owings MillsRosewood Center Red Run Boulevard 1997–2009 59 replaced service on Red Run; no replacement for Rosewood service P-1
Reisterstown Plaza Metro Subway Station to ReisterstownPikesville
Owings MillsReisterstown Road 1984–1987 Routes M-9 and M-16 (currently Routes 56 and 59) P-2
Reisterstown Plaza Metro Subway Station to Caves RoadStevenson Stevenson Road
Park Heights Avenue1984–1987 Route M-12 (service currently not provided on this route) P-3
Reisterstown Plaza Metro Subway Station to GreenwoodStevenson
Villa Julie CollegeStevenson Road
Greenspring Valley Road1984–1987 Route M-12 (service to Villa Julie currently provided by Route 60). Service to other parts of line not currently provided.) P-4
Reisterstown Plaza Metro Subway Station to Owings Mills MallPikesville Reisterstown Road
Painters Mill Road1984–1987 Route M-9 (currently Route 59) P-5
Reisterstown Plaza Metro Subway Station to Halcyon GateStevenson Road 1984–1987 Route M-12 (service currently not provided on this route) P-6
Reisterstown Plaza Metro Subway Station to Bellemore FarmsSudbrook Park Milford Mill Road
Scotts Level Road1984–1987 Route M-13 P-7
Reisterstown Plaza Metro Subway Station to RanchleighFallstaff Clarks Lane 1984–1987 Route M-10 (currently Route 60) R-2
Rogers Avenue Metro Subway Station to Mt. WashingtonCheswolde Glen Avenue
Greenspring Avenue
Smith Avenue1984–1987 Route M-5 (currently Route 58) R-3
Rogers Avenue Metro Subway Station to Social SecurityHoward Park
Gwynn Oak
WoodlawnGwynn Oak Avenue 1984–1987 Route M-6 R-4
Rogers Avenue Metro Subway Station to RandallstownMilford Mill
Northwest HospitalLiberty Road 1984–1987 Route M-8 (currently Route 54) A
Charles Village to DowntownJohns Hopkins University
Penn StationCharles Street 1915–1947 Route 11 B Mt. Royal Avenue 1922–1947 Routes 28 and 37 (no buses currently operate on Mt. Royal Avenue; Route 91 operates closest of all parallel routes) C Waverly The Alameda 1924–1943 not replaced (other buses operate nearby) D Rosemont Bentalou Street 1923–1948 Route 51 E
Randallstown to Gwynn Oak AvenueLochearn
Howard ParkLiberty Road 1931–1948 Route 54 F Patterson Park Chester Street 1924–1950 Route 33 (currently Route 13) G Butcher's Hill Fayette Street 1925–1949 Route 17 (currently provided by several routes, not including current Route 17) H North Point North Point Road 1925–1948 Route 55 (currently provided by Route 4 I Arlington
RosemontMonroe Street
Dolfield Road1925–1948 Route 51 J
Morrell Park to LandsdowneWashington Boulevard 1927–1948 Route 52 (currently provided by Route 36 K Mt. Winans Hollins Ferry Road 1927–1947 Route 28 (currently Route 51) L Reisterstown Road 1929–1948 Route 7 (currently Route M-2 M
Pikesville to GlyndonOwings Mills
ReisterstownReisterstown Road 1932–1948 Route 5/7 (currently Routes 56 and Route 59 N West Baltimore Street 1932–1948 Route 20 O Charles Street 1931–1947 Route 11 P Eastern Boulevard 1933–1950 Route 23 Q
Halethorpe to DowntownWilkens Avenue 1935–1948 Route 12 (currently Route 35) R
Parkville to CarneyHarford Road 1936–1948 Route 53 (currently Route 19) S
Liberty Heights to Bank&GrundyDruid Park Drive
Erdman Avenue
Edison HighwayWoodberry
Waverly1937–1947 Route 22 T
Waverly to NorthwoodLoch Raven Boulevard 1940–1947 Route 3 U
Mannasota to MayfieldShuttle service 1940–1948 Route 50 V Armistead Gardens 1941–1948 Route 6 (currently Route 33) W 1942–1945 Route J X
Curtis Bay to Davison ChemicalHawkins Point Road 1946–1950 Route 63 (currently Route 64) References
- ^ a b c d "A Concise History of Baltimore's Transit". Baltimore Transit Archives. http://www.btco.net/bthist.htm. Retrieved 2007-08-02.
- ^ "A Brief History of Baltimore Streetcars". http://www.nscalelimited.com/2009/11/17/baltimore-streetcar-museum/. "In 1949, the National City Lines holding company gained control of BTCO. The NCL has long been accused of being a major player in the so-called “Great American streetcar scandal,” in which front organizations for bus manufactures, tire companies and oil suppliers acquired and dismantled streetcar systems in order to replace them with buses. Soon after the NCL takeover, BTCO began to replace streetcar and trolleybus lines with conventional busses. The 1950′s saw decline of the once extensive system, as NCL cut back on service and car maintenance."
- ^ a b c Baltimore MTA Bus "Anamolies" Baltimore Transit Archives. Retrieved 2010-04-26
- ^ Gary Helton (2008). Baltimore's Streetcars and Buses. Aracadia Publishing. p. 103. ISBN 978-0-7385-5369-6. http://books.google.com/books?id=pU9xPrw5uekC&pg=PA103&dq=%22dundalk+bus+lines%22&as_brr=3&ie=ISO-8859-1&output=html. Retrieved 2010-04-26.
Categories:- Maryland Transit Administration
- History of Baltimore, Maryland
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