Introduction

Maryland Transit Administration or MTA Maryland for short is a state-operated transportation administration in Maryland. This administration is part of the Maryland Department of Transportation, or MDOT, and is the primary operator of transit in Baltimore, MD, and Baltimore County. MTA Maryland is the largest transportation agency in Maryland and the 11th largest in the United States.

Headquarters Location

The Maryland MTA Head Quarters and main offices are located at 6 St Paul St, Baltimore, MD 21202

BaltimoreLink 19011 on QuickLink 40
QuickLink 40 to Essex
New Flyer XD40
Baltimore St at Charles Street, Baltimore, MD
BaltimoreLink 19011 on QuickLink 40

MTA Maryland Routes and Service

MTA Maryland operates four modes of transit within its boundaries, including commuter rail service under the “Maryland Area Regional Commuter” brand, aka MARC, and bus, subway, and light rail service under the BaltimoreLink brand, as well as a new light rail line in Western Maryland known as the Purple Line. Most of MTA’s services operate to or within the city limits of Baltimore, but some local buses, as well as the Light RailLink, operate out to Glen Burnie, BWI Airport, and Anne Arundel County. MARC Trains on the Brunswick Line do not serve the city of Baltimore.

MTA Maryland Bus Operations

Since 2017, MTA Maryland adapted a new route system known as the “BaltimoreLink” for the local and rapid routes to and within the City of Baltimore. Commuter express routes operate throughout the state of Baltimore, but do not use MTA Maryland branded buses. The MTA Maryland routes can be summarized as the following:

  • BaltimoreLink – These bus routes operate to/through the city of Baltimore. All BaltimoreLink routes use MTA Maryland branded buses. Buses on these routes come out of bus divisions from within the city of Baltimore.
    • LocalLink. These are neighborhood-centric local bus routes and can be identified as numbers from 21-39 and 51-95. The higher numbers (51-95) operate to the outskirts of the city, whereas the lower numbers (21-39) are crosstown routes.
      • Crosstown LocalLink Routes: 21, 22, 26, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34, 36, 37, 38
      • Neighborhood LocalLink Routes: 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 59, 62, 63, 65, 67, 69, 70, 71, 73, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 85, 87, 89, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95
    • CityLink. These are the more frequent bus routes that operate on central corridors at high frequencies, usually passing through the downtown area. They can be identified as colors aka CityLink Purple PR.
      • CityLink Colors and Symbols: Blue BL, Brown BR, Gold GD, Green GR, Lime LM, Navy NV, Orange OR, Pink PK, Purple PR, Silver SV, Red RD, and Yellow YW
    • QuickLink – These are rapid transit style, skip-stop, crosstown routes, replacing the previous “QuickBus” system. These routes use numbers in the 40s/
      • Currently, the only QuickLink route is 40, Operating between West Gate and Essex, serving West Baltimore, City Hall, and Johns Hopkins Bayview.
    • Express BusLink – These routes are express versions of the LocalLink lines, that terminate within Baltimore City. They can be identified by numbers in the 100 series, and usually, run in peak directions during the rush hours only.
      • Express BusLink Routes: 103, 104, 105, 115, 120, 150, 154, 160, 164
  • Commuter Express – As the name says, these are commuter express routes that, similar to express link, usually operate in Baltimore City. However, these routes go across the entire state of Maryland, and even to Washington DC. These buses are looked over and managed by MTA Maryland, but operated by other Contractors. These lines do NOT use MTA Maryland branded buses.
    • Inter-county-Connector (ICC) – These routes on MD State Route 200
      • 201, 203, operated by DILLON’S BUS SERVICE INC.
      • 204 operated by ATLANTIC COAST CHARTERS
    • Service to Anne-Arndell and Queens Arndell County via US Route 50
      • 210, 215 operated by ACADEMY EXPRESS, LLC
      • 220, 230, 240, 250, 260 Operated by DILLON’S BUS SERVICE INC.
    • Service to Howard County
      • 310, 320, 410, 411, 420 operated by ACADEMY EXPRESS, LLC
      • 315, 325 operated by MARTZ/GOLD LINE
      • 335, 345, operated by DILLON’S BUS SERVICE INC.
    • Service to Fredrick and Montgomery Counties
      • 505, 515 operated by ATLANTIC COAST CHARTERS
    • Service to Charles and Prince George’s Counties to/from Washington DC
      • 610, 620, 630, 650 operated by MARTZ/GOLD LINE
      • 640 operated by ACADEMY EXPRESS, LLC
    • Service to St Mary’s and Prince George’s Counties to/from Washington DC via MD State Route 5
      • 705 operated by ACADEMY EXPRESS, LLC
      • 715, 725, 735 operated by Keller Transportation, Inc.
    • Service to Calvert County
      • 810 operated by MARTZ/GOLD LINE
      • 820 operated by ACADEMY EXPRESS, LLC
      • 830, 840, 850 operated by Keller Transportation, Inc

MTA Maryland/BaltimoreLink Bus Fleet Roster

Maryland MTA’s fleet consists of about 700 buses, most of which are New Flyer Xcelsior Models built between 2011 and 2019 (as this was the only type of bus MTA had received in this time frame). The numbering is generally based on year, e.g. 21061 would’ve been built in 2021 but 19061 would’ve been built in 2019. The only current exception is 17000, which is a 2016 model

YearMake/ModelImageEngine/
Transmission
Fleet NumbersNotes
2011New Flyer
Xcelsior
XDE40
BaltimoreLink 11024
New Flyer XDE40
Charles Street and Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD2012-04-21_055_281280x96029~0.jpgCummins ISL
Allison H-40 EP
11001-11057Mostly Retired
2012New Flyer
Xcelsior
XDE40
IMG_0090.JPGCummins ISL9
Allison H-40 EP
12001-12053
2012New Flyer
Xcelsior
XDE60
MTA Maryland BaltimoreLink 12087 on CityLink Orange
CityLink Orange
New Flyer XDE60
Baltimore St at Charles Street, Baltimore, MDCummins ISL9
Allison H-50 EP
12081-12090
2013New Flyer
Xcelsior
XDE40
Snapshot_-_65.pngCummins ISL9
Allison H-40 EP
13001-13040
2014New Flyer
Xcelsior
XDE40
BaltimoreLink 14006 on LocalLink 56
Route 56 to White Marsh
New Flyer XD40
Baltimore St at Charles Street, Baltimore, MDMTA Maryland BaltimoreLink 14016 on LocalLink 80
LocalLink 80 to Rogers Avenue Metro
New Flyer XDE40
Eutaw Street and Saratoga Street, Baltimore, MDCummins ISL9
Allison H-40 EP
14001-14041
2016New Flyer
Xcelsior
XD40
MTA Maryland BaltimoreLink 16027 on Local Link 78
Local Link 78 to Downtown Baltimore
New Flyer XD40
Fayette Street and Gay Street, Baltimore, MDCummins ISL9
Allison B3400 xFE
16001-16039
2016New Flyer
Xcelsior
XD40
MTA Maryland BaltimoreLink 16052 on CityLink Yellow
CityLink Yellow to Mondawmin
New Flyer XD40
Pratt and Light Streets, Baltimore, MDCummins L9
Allison B3400 xFE
16040-16099, 17000
2017-2019New Flyer
Xcelsior
XD40
BaltimoreLink 19011 on QuickLink 40
QuickLink 40 to Essex
New Flyer XD40
Baltimore St at Charles Street, Baltimore, MDCummins L9
Allison B3400 xFE
17001-17072
18001-18070
19001-19070
17001 and 17002 are 2016 models
2020NovaBus
LFS Artic
BaltimoreLink 20059 on CityLink Orange
CityLink Orange
NovaBus LFS Artic
Baltimore St at Charles Street, Baltimore, MDCummins L9
Allison B500
20031-20070
2020-
2024
NovaBus
LFS
BaltimoreLink 23024 on CityLine Purple
CityLink Purple
NovaBus LFS
Baltimore St at Charles Street, Baltimore, MDCummins L9
Allison B3400 xFE
20001-20030
21001-21070
22001-22070
23001-23070
24001-24070
2023New Flyer
“Xcelsior CHARGE H2”
XE40
BaltimoreLink 23092 on LocalLink 30
Route 30 to Rogers Park Metro
New Flyer XE40
Frankford Avenue at Sinclair Lane, Baltimore, MDSiemens Electric Propulsion System23091-23094First fully electric buses in the fleet
2023New Flyer
“Xcelsior CHARGE H2”
XE60
BaltimoreLink 23095 on CityLink Red
CityLink Red
New Flyer XE60
Baltimore St at Charles Street, Baltimore, MDSiemens Electric Propulsion System23095-23097
YearMake/ModelImageEngine/
Transmission
NumbersNotes

Metro Subway and Light Rail Lines

MTA Maryland 5038
Light Rail to Cromwell
ABB LRV
Howard Street at Baltimore Street
Taken April 21st, 2012

Since 2017, as part of the BaltimoreLink system, the Baltimore Metro became known as the Metro SubwayLink, and the Baltimore Light Rail became known as the Light RailLink. Both are rail systems that operate between downtown Baltimore and the suburbs. The Light RailLink also serves the BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, with service to the Baltimore Penn Station. The Metro SubwayLink serves Johns Hopkins Hospital and Owings Mills.

The Purple Line is a new line that will operate in western Maryland, projected to open in 2027. This system is not connected to the BaltimoreLink rail lines or bus routes.

  • Light Rail Lines
    • Light RailLink (map)
      • These all share space between MT Royal and Camden Yards Station. Some Trains terminate at North Avenue Station, as this is the main train yard for the Light Rail Link. Hunt Valley Service often alternates terminating at Fairgrounds Station during the rush hours. Main Line trips include:
        • Light RailLink Hunt Valley => Cromwell Station (Glen Burnie)
        • Light RailLink Hunt Valley => BWI Airport
        • Light RailLink Camden Yards => Penn Station
    • Purple Line (projected to open in 2027)
      • This line is set to operate between Bethesda and New Carrolton Maryland, and will be the first rail line to operate through Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties without also serving Washington D.C.
        • This line will connect with MARC Trains
          • B – Brunswick Line at Silver Spring Station
          • C – Camden Line at College Park – UMD Station
          • P – Penn Line at New Carrollton Station
        • This line will not connect with BaltimoreLink services.
  • Metro SubwayLink (map) – Unlike the Light RailLink, this system is only one line with no branches. All trips operate between Owings Mills and John Hopkins Hospital. Some trips during rush hours operate from Rogers Avenue Station, as this is the main train yard for the Metro SubwayLink

MTA Maryland Metro Light Rail Fleet Roster

This is a combination between the Light Rail and Metro fleet. The lines these are used for are noted under the make/model.

Year, Make/ModelImageFleet NumbersNotes
1983
Budd
Universal Transit Vehicle

Metro SubwayLink
MTA Maryland Metro 122 on Metro SubwayLink
Metro SubwayLink to Owings Mills
Budd UTV
Lexington Market Station, Baltimore, MD100-171
1986
Budd
Universal Transit Vehicle
Metro SubwayLink
20220504_191656.jpg172-199
1991-1993
ABB
Light Rail Vehicle

Light RailLink
MTA Maryland Light Rail 5017 on Light RailLink
Light RailLink to Hunt Valley
ABB LRV
Howard Street at Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD5001-5035Currently being rehabbed by Alstom
1996
ABB
Light Rail Vehicle
Light RailLink
MTA Maryland Light Rail 5036 on Light RailLink
Light RailLink to Cromwell
ABB LRV
Howard Street at Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD5036-5053Currently being rehabbed by Alstom
2024-2025
CAF

Purple Line P3 LRV

Purple Line
MTA Maryland Light Rail 103 for Purple Line
Photo from MTA Maryland's Purple Line Site
CAF LRV Purple Line101-128All assembled for the Purple Line Launch in 2027
2025-
Hitachi Rail STS
Baltimore Metro

Metro SubwayLink
200-277– On delivery, piggybacked off of Miami-Dade’s order from 2017
– delivery delayed due to conflicts within Hitachi
– Will replace older Metro SubwayLink Budd Cars
– Cars 200-203, 205-206 currently testing

Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC)

The Maryland Area Regional Commuter, or MARC, operates three rail lines through the state of Maryland, all of which serve the Washington Union Station in Washington DC. These three lines are as follows.

MARC 7761 and 8050
MARC Trains sitting at Washington Union Station
  • B – Brunswick Line, which operates on CSX owned tracks, providing service from Washington DC to Martinsburg West Virginia with a branch to Fredrick Maryland. Both branches of the Brunswick Line operate via Silver Spring Maryland. This line is operated by Bombardier Transportation Services on Behalf of the Maryland Transit Administration.
    • The Fredrick Branch also serves Monocacy, Maryland
    • The Brunswick Line (not the Fredrick Branch) serves Brunswick, Maryland, as well as Martinsburg West Virginia. It is the only MTA Maryland service to enter West Virginia.
  • C – Camden Line, which operates on CSX owned tracks, providing service from Washington DC to Camden Yards in Baltimore, MD, with stops in Greenbelt, Savage, and St. Dennis. All stops on the Camden Line, with the exception of Washington Union Station, is with within the state of Maryland. This line is operated by Bombardier Transportation Services on Behalf of the Maryland Transit Administration.
    • The Camden Line connects with WMATA Services at Washington Union Station, College Park Station, and Greenbelt Station
    • The Camden Line also connects with Central Maryland RTA services at College Park Station, Greenbelt Station, Muirkirk Station, Laurel Station, Savage Station and Dorsey Station
  • P – Penn Line which operates on Amtrak owned tracks, providing service from Washington DC to Bowie State University, BWI Airport, Baltimore, and Perryville. All stops on the Penn Line, with the exception of Washington DC, is within the state of Maryland. This line is operated by Amtrak on behalf of the Maryland Transit Administration
    • The Penn Line connects with WMATA services at Washington Union Station
    • The Penn Line also connects with Anne Arundel Transit at Odenton Station
    • Connections with Prince George’s County “THE BUS” can be made at New Carrolton Station
    • Connections with Harford County LINK services can be made at Aberdeen Station and Perryville Station
    • Connections with Cecil Transit can be made at the Perryville Station

MARC Locomotive Fleet Roster

This is MARC’s Current fleet as of December 18th, 2021

YearMake/ModelImageNumbersNotes
1988-1992EMD GP40MARC 68 from MARC Fans Group70-75: GP39H-2
4145: Ex-NJT GP40PH
68: GP40WH-2
– All are used as spare engines.
Image Source
– 75 Inactive
1998Bombardier/Alstom HHP-84910-4915Refurbished in 2017-2018
2009-2011MPI MP36PH-3CMARC 23 on Camden Line
MARC Camden Line
MPI MP36PH-3C
Camden Yards Station, Baltimore, MD10-35
2018Siemens SC-44 Charger80-86Replaced AEM-7s
YearMake/ModelImageNumbersNotes

MARC Passenger Car Fleet Roster

YearMake/ModelImageNumbersNotes
1991-1993Nippon Sharyo/Sumitomo
MARC IIB
MARC 7761 Closeup7716-7735, 7757-7762, 7791-7799– 7757–7762 (Cab Cars)
1999-2000Kawasaki MARC IIIMARC 7854
MARC Penn Line
Kawasaki MARC III
DC Union Station, Washington D.C.7800-7834, 7845-7858, 7870-7876, 7890-7896– First Multilevel cars in service
– Labeled as “Bi-Level Coach” by MARC
– 7845-7858 (Cab Cars)
– 7826-7834 and 7855-7858 EX-VRE coaches, purchased in 2008
2014-2014Bombardier MARC IVMARC 8050 Closeup8000-8053– 8039-8053 (Cab Cars)
2015Bombardier MARC IV (speical)MARC 8050 Closeup8054-8059
8090-8094
– 8054-8059 (Cab cars)
– Same as New Jersey Transit‘s Multi-levels
YearMake/ModelImageNumbersNotes

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