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

 

 

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

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

MARC Announcement - Seeking New Members for MRAC

In case you missed the e-mail notice:

The MARC Riders Advisory Council (MRAC), established in 2006, is seeking new members.  The MRAC meets once a month, on the third Thursday, from 4:30-6:00 PM, at or near Union Station. A toll-free teleconference line is also available for those who are unable to attend in person.

Requirements Include:
* Attend meetings regularly (in person or by teleconference)
* Ride MARC regularly
* Report problems to MARC management as soon as possible (defective cars, rude employees)
* Identify yourself to fellow riders, solicit their feedback, and report back to MRAC.

Qualifications include:
* Must be of legal age (18 years);
* a resident of the MARC service area;
* a customer of MARC service;
* committed to active participation as a member of the MRAC.

Note: anyone missing more than two meetings a year will be considered for dismissal.

Disqualifications include:
Employees or relatives of employees of the Maryland Department of Transportation and its contractors are not eligible to for membership.  This includes employees of Amtrak, CSX Transportation, and Bombardier Transportation Services.

Application Process:
Those interested are invited to submit an application, Click here!

Deadline: Friday, April 18 at 11:59pm

Is There Hope for A Third Track on the Brunswick Line?

With great joy, I saw an article today indicating Montgomery County Planners are finally getting the hint to expand MARC service.

"ROCKVILLE, Md. (AP) — Montgomery County planners are recommending construction of a third track to improve service on the Brunswick Line of the MARC rail commuter system." (http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Montgomery-County-suggests-new-track-for-MARC-line-4049971.php)


"The Brunswick Line, which runs from Martinsburg, W.Va., to Union Station, currently has a daily ridership of about 7,700 trips, but Maryland estimated the expansion could grow that to 26,000." (

http://washingtonexaminer.com/montco-planners-want-third-track-for-marc-line/article/2513803

) 
Funding is always the issue so be sure to email or write your officials to encourage them to make this happen.
 
Montgomery County's master planner Larry Cole
Office: 301-495-4528; Email: larry.cole@montgomeryplanning.org 

 
Maryland Transit Administration spokesman Joe Sviatko
Office: 410-767-3935; Cellular: 443-418-5732
 
 
 

Just in - Reviews of Draft 2 MARC Schedule

I have a written summary and my Compare charts as I noticed some typos in the ones MARC released.

Morning link: http://marcriderbl.blogspot.com/p/review-of-draft-2-evening-commute-or.html
Evening link:http://marcriderbl.blogspot.com/p/review-of-draft-2-evening-commute-or.html

Comment to MARC: MARC@mta.maryland.gov

MARC Brunswick Line Town Hall Meetings

Late Breaker News - MARC at Brunswick Tonight

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!