MTA Maryland Metro connection services

A Metro connection bus route of the Maryland Transit Administration is a bus route that operates between two Metro Subway stations, or between a Metro Station and some other location, usually in the suburbs. The first Metro connection routes were introduced in 1984, and had designations of the letters M (Mondawmin), R (Rogers Avenue), or P (Reisterstown Plaza), followed by a number. But in 1987, as more Metro stations opened and the structure of these routes was modified, all such routes were given the "M" designation, which was changed to refer to "Metro" rather than "Mondawmin."

Over the years, the number of M-lines has gradually been reduced, as some of the routes have been eliminated due to low ridership, or consolidated with others.

Current Metro connection routes

Route 54

Route 54 currently operates from the Penn-North Metro Subway Station to the Milford Mill Metro Subway Station, mostly via Park Heights Avenue, with alternating trips continuing to Randallstown via Milford Mill and Liberty Roads. The route, which started operating on August 24, 2008, is a combination of the former M-3 and M-8 lines, which had been operating since 1984 and 1987 respectively. Route M-3 had operated between the Milford Mill and Penn-North Metro Stations, and Route M-8 since 2005 had operated from Milford Mill to Randallstown. Route M-8 prior to 2005 had operated from the Rogers Avenue Metro Station.

While southbound M-3 buses had destination signs that read "PENN-NORTH," Route 54 buses headed in the same direction are marked "Cumberland & Carey." The actual layover and route of the bus loop did not change when the routing was combined, but the new sign more accurately describes the layover spot.

The combination of Routes M-3 and M-8, which had first been proposed in 2006 as part of Phase II of the Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative, had been supported by area transit advocacy groups because it enabled direct bus service between Randallstown the the Park Heights area of Northwest Baltimore, and that it once again allowed those in the Randallstown area a direct connection to several bus routes lost when the routing of M-8 had been modified in 2005. At the same time, concern was addressed over the fact the new longer route would make worsen schedule adherence [http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:mhkGcgCwN50J:www.getontrac.org/Reports/BDOC08-018_BusComments.pdf+%22quarry+lake%2258+bus&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=4&gl=us&ie=UTF-8] .

Route 56

Route 56 currently runs from the Owings Mills Town Center to Reisterstown via the Owings Mills Metro Subway Station. The line, which was a split-off from Route M-9, resembles the former Route M-16. Service started operating on February 17, 2008.

Route 58

Route 58 currently operates seven days a week from the Reisterstown Plaza Metro Subway Station to Quarry Lake, serving the communities of Glen, Cheswolde, and Fallstaff. The route of this line is based on that of the former Route M-10, and is identical to that which Route M-10 followed since 2005 up to the intersection of Smith & Greenspring Avenues. The current route replaced the former on August 24, 2008, and it operates every 30 minutes on weekdays and hourly on weekends, with later evening service than Route M-10 provided.

Route 59

Route 59 currently runs from the Reisterstown Plaza Metro Subway Station to the Owings Mills Town Center. The line was a split-off from Route M-9, and resembles the pre-1997 routes of Route M-9. Service started operating on February 17, 2008.

Route 60

Route 60 currently operates on weekdays from the Reisterstown Plaza Metro Subway Station to Greenspring Station, with peak hour trips continuing to Stevenson University. Its routing mostly operates along Clarks Lane, Smith Avenue, and Falls Road, with Stevenson University trips continuing along Greenspring Valley Road.

The route is based on that of the former Route M-10, which was split on August 24, 2008 into Routes 58 and 60. Route 60 provides service on the portions of Smith Avenue, Falls Road, and Greenspring Valley Road previously served by Route M-10, but at a lower frequency, and via a more direct route to/from the Reisterstown Plaza Station. Route 60 also serves a portion of Clarks Lane previously not served by MTA buses, but that was always within a close walk of other MTA routes.

Route M-1

Route M-1 currently runs from the Mondawmin Metro Subway Station along Liberty Heights Avenue and Liberty Road to a loop known as "Milford Mill" (not to be confused with the Milford Mill Metro Subway Station). This loop is composed of a square block, consisting of Liberty Road, Rolling Road, Church Lane, and Milford Mill Road.

The bus route is the successor to part of the 32 Woodlawn streetcar line. Bus service along its route has also been provided in the past by the now-defunct Route 28, which operated daily on this route until 1984, and during late nights and Sundays only until 2001, when the line completely ceased operation. At times, this service was also supplemented by Route 37.

Route M-1 started operating in 1984 along its present route. However, in 1988, it was combined with Route M-13, and selected trips were extended along Milford Mill Road to the Milford Mill Metro Subway Station. In addition, other trips operated between the Milford Mill Metro Subway Station and a community off Scotts Level Road in Pikesville known as "Bellemore Farms". This replaced a branch of Route M-13.

The line continued following this route for the next 15 years, with the only change being the addition of Sunday service in 2001, when Sunday service was introduced on all M-lines.

In 2005, as part of the Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative, a comprehensive overhaul plan for the region's transit system, the line returned to its pre-1988 route, as all service along Milford Mill Road was provided by the rerouted Route M-8. No service was provided to Bellemore Farms.

Route M-2

Route M-2 currently runs from the Old Court Metro Subway Station in Pikesville, Maryland to the Mondawmin Metro Subway Station in Northwest Baltimore along Old Court Road and Reisterstown Road, and serves Park Heights and the Reisterstown Road Plaza.

It is the successor to Bus Route 7, which still operates south of Mondawmin. Route 7 operated along Reisterstown Road outside the Metro's hours of operation until 2001.

Route M-2 started operating in 1984 after the Baltimore Metro's first segment opened, and Route 7 was split. It then originated and terminated in the north near Reisterstown & Old Court Roads in Pikesville's central business district. At that time, the Old Court Metro Subway Station had not yet opened, and the segment of Old Court Road on which this line currently operates was served by Route 77.

In 1987, when the Metro was extended to Owings Mills, Route M-2 was extended to the Old Court Metro Subway Station. Since then, the line's route has never changed. Only minor schedule changes have been made, and in 2001, Sunday service was added.

In 1993, as a cost-saving measure, MTA started to close three of its Metro stations, including Old Court, at 8 PM, and for trains running later than this time to bypass these stops. This made travel more difficult for riders of Route M-2 accustomed to transferring in this area. MTA reopened all these stations in the evening in 2001.

Route M-6

Route M-6 currently runs from the Rogers Avenue Metro Subway Station in Northwest Baltimore to Security Square Mall, with selected trips to the Social Security Administration in Woodlawn. The line serves the intermediate communities of Howard Park, Gwynn Oak, and Windsor Mill.

The route is the successor to the 32 Woodlawn and 33 West Arlington streetcar lines and the Route 28 bus.

Route M-6 started operating under that designation in 1987 after replacing Route R-3, which had operated since 1984 and followed the identical route. Prior to 1984, the area had been served by other bus lines, mostly Route 28, which had branches feeding into Liberty Heights Avenue. These services operated on Sundays until 2001, when Route M-6 started operating on Sundays. Route M-6 has only had minor routing and schedule changes since, with the exception of a controversial elimination in 2005 that was later reversed.

In October 2005, MTA eliminated Route M-6 from service completely, and extended all trips on Route 44 to either Security Square Mall or Social Security to replace the service. It was noted in literature produced by MTA that service on this line was to be provided by Route 44. But this was not how riders and community activists viewed the change.

The elimination of Route M-6 was criticized as follows:
*Route 44 takes a slightly different route from Route M-6. Though this route is more direct while traveling to the Woodlawn area, it does not serve various side streets in the Howard Park community of Northwest Baltimore, an area populated by many senior citizens. These elderly residents were forced to walk several blocks in order to reach a bus line, one that operates in a very different direction.
*Route 44 is a long route, running for about an hour prior to reaching the Rogers Avenue Metro Subway Station. The service is far less reliable when attempting to reach the Security area from the Metro subway.
*Fewer trips were provided on Route 44 than were provided by Route M-6, especially during evenings and weekends. Also, Route 44 was overcrowded at these points.

In the weeks immediately following the elimination, community activists and delegates were told by MTA that Route M-6 service would not be restored, despite these complaints. MTA stated that Route 44 provided sufficient service, and only a small percentage of riders were negatively affected.

In March 2006, under extreme pressure from the community, MTA restored eight round trips on weekdays to Route M-6. MTA stated that this act was a compromise in exchange for hushing all other complaints against MTA in reference to this and other recent and planned changes in route. But rider advocates were not satisfied. These trips operated hourly during peak hours only. Activists continued to put pressure on MTA.

In October 2006, exactly 50 weeks after its original elimination, full-time service was restored on Route M-6. This took place at a time when officials were facing re-election. This change did not help the outgoing administration win re-election, but it did restore the line to its full-time, 7-day-a-week status [ [http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.mta06oct06,1,27543.story Topic Galleries - baltimoresun.com ] ] .

Route M-17

Route M-17 currently runs on weekdays during peak hours only from the Business Center at Owings Mills to the business corridor of Red Run Boulevard via the Owings Mills Metro Subway Station. Additionally, selected trips late at night and at other day times on weekends operate between the Owings Mills Metro Subway Station and Rosewood Center.

The line started operating in 1997 as a replacement for various branches of Route M-9 and M-16, which at that time, were consolidated to form a single route with no special branches in Owings Mills. Its route then was very simple, operating from the Owings Mills Corporate Campus to the Owings Mills Metro Subway Station, then to the Business Center at Owings Mills on Crondall Lane via its most direct route. Service was provided every 30 minutes during AM and PM rush hour only on weekdays, using a single bus.

For its first year of operation, the line followed this route. Then, early in 1998, the route was expanded to serve a new office center for T. Rowe Price, and the route it took to reach the Business Center at Owings Mills was modified to serve the Rosewood campus. Intervals were reduced to 40 minutes, and only 4 round trips were provided during each rush hour.

Later the same year, the line was further expanded and extended along the new Red Run Boulevard business corridor, and a second bus was added to circulation, improving the frequency to 30 minutes.

Midday service was introduced briefly in 1999, but was soon eliminated due to low ridership.

In 2005, as part of the Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative, the portions of the route serving the Owings Mills Corporate Campus and T. Rowe Price were eliminated due to low ridership and to improve the efficiency of service [http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpid=809&show=archivedetails&ArchiveID=1125510&om=1 Owings Mills Times ] ] . Additionally, late evening and weekend trips to Rosewood Center were added, replacing this service on the discontinued Route 102 [ [http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?pnpid=809&show=archivedetails&ArchiveID=1112132&om=1 Owings Mills Times ] ] .

External links

*PDFlink| [http://www.mtamaryland.com/services/bus/routes/mline/M1LineWeb.pdf Route M-1 schedule] |289 KiB
* [http://www.mtamaryland.com/services/bus/routes/mline/m02_0204.pdf Route M-2 schedule]
*PDFlink| [http://www.mtamaryland.com/services/bus/routes/mline/M3.pdf Route M-3 schedule] |545 KiB
* [http://www.mtamaryland.com/services/bus/routes/mline/M6%20schedule.pdf Route M-6 schedule]
* [http://www.mtamaryland.com/services/bus/routes/mline/M8Line.pdf Route M-8 schedule]
* [http://www.mtamaryland.com/services/bus/routes/mline/M10.pdf Route M-10 schedule]
* [http://www.mtamaryland.com/services/bus/routes/mline/M17LineWeb.pdf Route M-17 schedule]

References

*Michael Dresser, Baltimore Sun, [http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.mta06oct06,1,27543.story Northwest Baltimore bus route to return] , October 6, 2006