Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) will increase transit fares effective June 25, 2015

2010 (c) Washington Post Apartment Showcase

Another reason why I'm glad O'Malley is no longer is office - but his effects linger on...
His 2013 Gas Tax Bill mandated fare and service increases every 2 years for Local Bus, Light Rail, Metro Subway, and Mobility/Paratransit. It mandated increases for Commuter Buses and MARC every 5 years.

For those of you who take public transportation in Maryland be aware that fares for Commuter Bus and MARC train will increase by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the last five years starting June 25, 2015.

The MARC fare increases will be rounded to the nearest dollar meaning single fare prices will increase by a dollar. There is no chart yet for multi-use fares - Weekly and Monthly - but the CPI will be applied to those as well. We will need to wait and see.

The other change for MARC passengers is the cost of buying a ticket on the train will increase from $3.00 to $5.00 unless they qualify for senior/disability fares. More problematic for some, MARC will no longer cross-honor the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) monthly passes.

See: Brunswick Line Pricing

See also:  http://mta.maryland.gov/new-fare-pricing

** Transportation Infrastructure Investment Act of 2013 (known as the gas tax bill).

Sources: MTA web site and Baltimore Sun.
 

Are You In Touch With MARC Updates?

Maryland Transit Administration Notification Center:

MTA Maryland has ways to get e-notifications about their services to its customers.

 

1) Email/Text alerts - allow you to sign up for any or all of MTA's services.

 

You can sign up for Local Bus, Commuter Bus, Light Rail, MARC Train, and Metro Subway services updates. 

Customize your alert(s) by choosing the service type, station, routes, and lines as well as service times and dates. Sign up for eAlerts here!

 

2) Phone alerts - Available from 5:00 am to 9:00 am and from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm weekdays.

Dial free of charge (cell phone regular rates may apply) 410-500-4444.

 

 

Useful RSS Feeds:

Commuter Bus
Local Bus (Planned Diversions Only)
Light Rail
MARC Train
Metro Subway

 

 

MARC Quick Info Guide

MTA INFORMATION Fare or Schedule Info 410-539-5000 Toll-free 866-RIDE-MTA (743-3682) Commuter Choice Transit Benefits Info 410-767-8750 Commuter Choice www.commuterchoicemaryland.com MTA Police 410-454-7720 TTY 410-539-3497 Website www.mta.maryland.gov		WMATA INFORMATION Customer Comment Line 202-637-1328 Fare or Schedule Info 202-637-7000 SmartBenefits Employer Fare Program 202-962-1326 SmartBenefits eMail smartprograms@wmata.com Transit Police 202-962-2121 TTY 202-638-3780 Website www.wmata.com
Guaranteed Ride Home Program 1-800-745-RIDE(7433) TTY 202-962-3212   Website www.commuterconnections.org

Source: October 2013 On Your MARC; Fri 10/04/13 12:12 PM

Things to Consider While Traveling on MARC

MTA sent out the following recently. I wanted to re-share this because there are many crazy and rude things people do on public transportation. Look carefully. The number one problem is this area is no one thinks the feedback pertains to them.

Over the years, I've seen many disputes because selfish folks think certain seats belong to them. I've also seen folks refuse to move their bags off seats of crowded trains denying someone a place to sit. I've also heard about physical fights. Not sure what's wrong with Metro DC area folks. But, yes, you do have a problem.

"We appreciate your patronage of the MARC Train Service.  As our ridership continues to grow, courtesy to your fellow passengers is more important than ever.  Here are a few reminders to make everyone’s trip more enjoyable.

--Passengers must follow instructions and directions of Conductors while on board the train at all times.

--No seats are reserved on MARC.  All seats are available on a first come, first served basis.  In order for everyone to have a seat on our rush hour trains, please do not block seats with personal items.  This includes the middle seat on our single level railcars.

--Please do not block the aisles or doorways, especially when approaching a station.  If it is not your stop, please remain seated or, if standing, clear of the doors.

--Passengers must refrain from using profane, abusive and racist language and intimidation of fellow passengers.  Violators are subject to removal from the train.

--Quiet Cars are available on all MARC rush hour trains.  Cell phones and all electronic devices must be on silent or vibrate, and cell phone conversations are not permitted.  However, conversations between passengers in a library-like tone are permitted.

Thank you for riding the MARC Train Service."

 

Source:

Email Alert - Fri 09/06/13 1:57 PM

MARC Camden and Brunswick Lines

Maryland Transit Administration

MARC Customers, we know this comes as no surprise:

CSX has issued heat-related speed restrictions on the Camden and Brunswick Lines for this afternoon. Trains will travel at reduced speed on both lines. 5-15 minute delays are possible--the fewer stops a train makes, the more delay it will incur (since express trains operate longer distances at a higher rate of speed).

For passengers unfamiliar with heat-related speed restrictions, please visit http://tinyurl.com/marchighheat.

 

Source:

MTA Facebook

Summer Heat and Crossover to Metro - Relaxed Beverage Policy

For the time being, Metro is allowing passengers to carry and drink water on their trains. If you need to switch to Metro, keep in mind, this is an exception for them for this heat wave.

Maryland Transit Administration

MTA Customers - Due to the ongoing severe heat throughout the state the agency is temporarily relaxing its ban on beverages. Passengers will be allowed to bring clear water bottles on Metro Subway, Local Bus, Light Rail and Mobility vehicles. The relaxed beverage policy will remain in effect through Sunday, July 21, 2013.

A heat advisory is currently in effect and extreme high temperatures are expected to continue through the weekend. The MTA urges you to take precautions, stay hydrated and check on those who may need assistance.

Source:
MTA Facebook

Just in from MTA - Guaranteed Ride Home Reminder

Just in:
Do you carpool or vanpool, take transit, bike or walk to work at least twice weekly? You’re eligible for Guaranteed Ride Home!

If you experience a personal illness, family emergency or unscheduled overtime at work, Guaranteed Ride Home will get you home free in a taxi, rental car or transit up to four times per year. Sign-up is easy at commuterconnections.org or call 800-745-RIDE (7433).

With Guaranteed Ride Home, you’re home free!

Source:

MTA Facebook page

Just in from Maryland Transit Administration

 

"On Monday, MARC Train Service opened the new high-level platform at the Halethorpe station. This is a major upgrade for one of our highest capacity Penn Line stations - and pretty good looking too, even if we do say so ourselves! It's designed to significantly reduce the time that the train needs to load and unload at the station, which will benefit all Penn Line commuters.The Northbound platform is scheduled to open in early July."



Facebook image (c)

"Amtrak Penn Line Conductor John Wickham (l) and his Assistant Conductor Tom Ensley (r) oversee boarding of Train 517 on Monday morning on the new Halethorpe platform."



Facebook image (c)

  

Source:

MTA Facebook Page

Reminder: Put a valid phone number on your Monthly Pass!

Good day fellow travelers.

 

This year I have been the proud discoverer of not one, but two, monthly MARC passes.

 

Both monthly passes were CommunterConnect tickets and had their names but no phone numbers.

 

Fortunately for these passengers (I am honest and) their names were unique enough for me to google their starting/stopping points to find them. Yippie for Doreen's research skills!

 

The lesson to learn is: always  put your phone number on your monthly ticket.

 

And, if your name is not preprinted on the ticket, at least put your first name.

 

Happy Thursday!

MARC Riders Advisory Council Meetings

Reminder for fellow MARC passengers on all lines, if you have issues, concerns, or suggestions, make use of MRAC. Here is their meeting schedule:

The MARC Council’s regular meetings, as required in the Council’s by-laws, are held on the third Thursday of January, March, May, July, September, and November. All meetings begin at 4:30 p.m.

The last MARC Riders Advisory Council meeting was held on Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 4:30 p.m. in Room 231 of the Hall of the States building located at 444 North Capitol Street, N.W, Washington, DC.

For further information or special assistance needs for the meeting, please contact:
Dave Johnson, Chief Customer Communications Officer
MARC Train Service
1515 Washington Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21230
410-454-7020
Email: djohnson25@mta.maryland.gov




John Hovatter & Dave Johnson

 

Why You Need to Send Transit Feedback to Officials

Handouts at Union Station in DC yesterday complimented travelers for taking public transportation. The flyer is from an organization called Vote Transit trying to raise awareness for what I feel is a critical issue, not only for us now, but for future generations.

Gas and oil are limited resources. Yet, big corporations keep building products with heavy reliance on these fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are not something you can cook up in the microwave. It took thousands to millions of years for them to ferment, for lack of a better word. Contact all your representatives and tell them to Get Eco Smart and fund Public Transportation!

Here is the info from their flyers:

 

FYI - Federal Transit Benefits Are Retroactive

Some good financial news comes in the latest news articles regarding Federal Transit Benefits being upped from $125/month in 2012 to $245/month in 2013 and clarifying retroactive payments for 2012.

"The bill Congress approved earlier this month to avoid the so-called “fiscal cliff” included two key changes to these transit benefits. It increased the monthly cap while also noting that the benefits could be applied retroactively." (Washington Post)

The Examiner notes that "Transit riders will be able to receive even higher federal transit benefits -- and get back money for last year's transit costs."

"The $240 limit will be retroactively applied to 2012, replacing the $125 ceiling that was in place that year (before the bill was approved)." (Washington Post)

The IRS is instructing employers on how to accomodate this change so that employees can benefit. (See the IRS instructions in Notice 2013-8.)

MARC/VRE riders going the distance are most likely to benefit. "A monthly pass on VRE, for example, can cost as much as $294.10, while MARC trains can cost up to $350 a month."

 

MARC Brunswick Line "Final" Schedule Comparison

Hi folks, this is hot off the press. I received a copy of the schedule MARC plans to activate on July 16, 2012.

They made some changes from the Second Draft meaning you need to review the third version row by row and column by column. http://tinyurl.com/bruns-july12

The personnel who worked on these changes are John Hovatter and Dave Johnson pictured here below. You may have spoken with them at the Meet the Management sessions or seen them at Union Station in DC.

John Hovatter & Dave Johnson at December Gaithersbury City Council Meeting

Here is the Eastbound Schedule released to the Advisory Committee Members:

Here is the Westbound Schedule released to the Advisory Committee Members:

Feel free to comment on this blog and to those at MARC as well as your local government officials.

Director, MARC Train (John Hovatter): jhovatter1@mta.maryland.gov

MARC Trainmaster (David R. Johnson): djohnson25@mta.maryland.gov

MTA Customer Service Superintendent (Donna Walsh): dwalsh@mta.maryland.gov

MARC Brunswick Line Town Hall Meetings

MARC Passengers - Elbow to Elbow?

Did you happen to see the Washington Post article by Mark Berman (3/26/12) noting that MARC/MTA set records this February? MARC came in at a whopping "average weekday ridership of 35,210" which is up 6.1% from the same period last year.

This is timely because we are expecting MARC to release the next version of their proposed 2012 Brunswick Line schedule in the next couple weeks. Keep tuned for that!

Update: NO schedule changes on the Brunswick Line on January 30th!

Just in from MARC...
 
Based on customer feedback (over 1,100 comments), MARC will not implement the December 1, 2011 proposed Brunswick Line Schedule.
 
This is great news for Garrett Park and Dickerson, Boyds, and Washington Grove passengers. It also means that passengers living past Brunswick will be able to work late AND have a way home.
 
I want to personally thank all of you who participated in the MTA survey.
 
MARC expects the second draft to be ready for public comment in late March or early April with the implementation date of May 2012. They will again hold additional Town Hall meetings (TBD).
 
I urge you now to keep a sharp eye out for the second draft schedule and to review all changes, not just your normal trips. Commutes can change very quickly in our area and you don’t want to be caught in a no-win travel situation.
 
See full story: http://mta.maryland.gov/advisories/marc-brunswick-line-schedule-change-proposal

Speaking out on the 12/1/11 Proposed Schedule

The Gaithersburg City Council invited MARC staff to address riders concerns about the 12/1/11 proposed schedule.

At the 12/19/11 City Council meeting, MARC's John Hovatter and David Johnson assured the Council that the schedule is not "set in concrete" and they are actively seeking passenger feedback on how it affects their commute.

They further explained that the proposed schedule was the result of two months of simulations using CSX scheduling software. Their goals were to move the same "amount" of passengers but improve on time arrival to 90%. They only have nine trains servicing the entire Brunswick Line so there are many challenges in revising the schedule but plan to make revisions based on customer feedback. There is no money now for more trains/crews. The next new car order will be in 2013!

It is essential they hear from you!

I spoke during the Public Appearance portion to note that the CSX scheduling software handles freight, not people. While the new schedule may move more groups of people efficiently, it does not work well for getting some individuals to work and back home. I specifically mentioned the intention to cancel the P881 skipping Gaithersburg at what is a popluar time to return home. Our area needs more public transportation, not less, with the incoming traffic from BRAC, Johns Hopkins, and the Archstone development.

Doreen speaks about the new schedule

http://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/poi/default.asp?POI_ID=994&TOC=311;994;
Click on the December 19, 2011 Video Link. The proposed MARC Schedule discussion is about about half way (22 minutes and 40 seconds).

MARC Brunswick Line Schedule Change Highlights

MTA does not provide a total change summary for the proposed schedule. I created a Before versus After schedule comparison chart by hand. For obvious reasons, I did not do a detail examination of the time changes. Instead, I focused on how many stops were added or skipped and the impact of the skipped stops.

These are some highlights:

1. How many stations are on the Brunswick Line now?

There are 19 stations.

2. Which stations have the most stop changes?

The total Brunswick Line station changes are 64* with 14 more stops being skipped than being added.

Garrett Park and Dickerson have the most stop changes. Next are the Boyds and Washington Grove stations.

The bigger issue is some stops (Metropolitan Grove, Garrett Park) will have a later first train (late to work) and/or an earlier last train (Harpers Ferry, Duffields, Martinsburg) either they can’t get home or miss work to leave early.

3. How many stop changes are there at my station?

Some stations have no added or skipped stops. Others range from 1-6. Even the bigger stops are affected. The new P881 schedule will skip Gaithersburg!

See the summary chart below.

    See full schedule comparison at:  

    http://marcriderbl.blogspot.com/p/comparision-chart.html 

4. In the end, do I get to my destination later or earlier?

I consider the time change minor if it is less than 15 minutes and major if it is greater than 30 minutes.

Doing this by hand, I looked at the final arrival time. Seven of the nine morning trains arrive at their final destination later. All evening trains arrive at their final destination later.

5. Where can I express concerns about the changes that affect my commute?

Online survey - https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/8VGDLYL

Meet the Management Events:

January 4 - Barnesville MARC station, 4:30-7:00pm

Town Hall Meetings:

January 5 - Kensington Town Hall Meeting, Kensington Town Hall, 4:00-7:00pm

Saturday, January 7 - West Virginia, 1:00-4:00pm, Old Charles Town Library, 200 East Washington Street, Charles Town.

January 24 - Brunswick Town Hall Meeting, VFW Hall in Brunswick, 5:00-8:00pm

*These numbers do not reflect the individual time changes at each stop.