MTA Maryland Local Bus
Encyclopedia
The Maryland Transit Administration
provides the primary public bus service for the Baltimore Metropolitan Area
and commuter bus service in other parts of the state of Maryland
. There is currently 78 bus routes, which include 47 local routes, 2 neighborhood shuttle routes, 4 limited stop
routes (known as QuickBus
), 4 express bus routes (which operate from various suburbs to downtown Baltimore
), 19 commuter bus, and 2 Intercounty Connector or "ICC" routes (which operate from various locations mainly in central Maryland to Washington D.C. or various Metrorail
stations). The commuter bus routes operate in conjunction with one subway
line, three light rail
lines, MARC train
service, and various connections to other transit agencies.
and other parts of the state. These include local (routes 1 through 99), neighborhood shuttle (routes 97 and 98), QuickBus
(routes 40, 46, 47, & 48), express (routes 104, 120, 150, & 160), Intercounty Connector (routes 201 and 202), and commuter bus (routes 310 through 995)
and share the route numbers of the respective streetcars that operated along the same streets.
Most local buses operate regular service seven days a week throughout most hours of the day and evening. Some routes operate 24 hours. A small number of routes operate without evening service, on weekdays only, during peak hours only, or only at the times needed for certain employers.
Until 2009, a series of routes operated in the northwest part of the city and suburbs known as Metro connection buses. These routes had designations of the letter M followed by a number, and operated from a Metro station to a specified location or between two Metro stations. When the Metro connection bus service began in 1984, it used designations beginning with the letter M (Mondawmin), R (Rogers Avenue), or P (Plaza), followed by a number. After the Metro was extended to Owings Mills in 1987, only the letter M was used, and it denoted "Metro."
Since 1988, the number of M-lines had declined, as many of them were consolidated, and some were completely eliminated. After the first phase of the Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative
took effect in 2005, only seven M-lines remained, though this increased to eight after Route M-6
was restored months later.
Throughout 2008 and 2009, all M-lines were renamed to plain two-digit numerical designations, ranging from 52 to 54 and 56 to 60. During this series of revisions, route changes were also made to some of them, including merging some, splitting others, and completely eliminating part of Route M-17 without any replacement.
Unlike the commuter buses, express bus routes serve areas where local buses are available. Comparable slower trips can also be accomplished with local buses. Commuter routes, however, provide service between locations not connected by local bus routes.
Both the express and commuter routes, identified with 3-digit numbers, offer limited service mostly during weekday rush hour between downtown Baltimore or Washington and various Park-and-Ride lots or other suburban locations in the state of Maryland. The commuter routes, designated with higher numbers, are operated by contractors rather than MTA employees.
The newest addition to the commuter bus service since 2010. Known as Intercounty Connector or ICC for short, service operates from Gaithersburg
to BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport
or DoD
/Fort Meade under two routes with three more proposed to begin operation in January 2012, traveling along the newly built Intercounty Connector expressway in central Maryland.
During the early 2000s, MTA introduced two such routes. These routes, rather than operating like others around town, have differences that include:
The Hampden Shuttle Bug was the first of seven shuttle routes originally planned for Baltimore and its suburbs. Only the Hampden and Mondawmin routes were implemented; no timetable was ever set for other neighborhood shuttle routes.
A proposed Shuttle Bug route between Randallstown and the Owings Mills Metro Subway Station was fought by residents along the route the shuttle would take. Objections included that the service would operate on quiet residential streets not accustomed to bus traffic, and area residents did not need the service.
In 2005 and 2006, in various phases of the Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative
, MTA proposed various changes to these routes which included routing changes and threats to eliminate Route 98 completely and reduce service on Route 97 to once an hour. The only change that was actually made was a shift on Route 98 in 2008 to replace service on Roland Avenue, that was lost through a change to Route 27.
In 2009, a new "QuickBus" route was introduced. Designated as QuickBus 48
, it operates along the same route as Route 8 minus the section north of Towson Town Center
. Introduction of another QuickBus service that would operate along the route Route 3 and would have carry the designation "Route 43", but this proposal was delayed.
Two more QuickBus routes began service on August 30, 2010. QuickBus 46
operates alongside routes 5 and 10 from Paradise Avenue loop to Cedonia Loop. QuickBus 47
travel along the route 15 from Walbrook Junction to Overlea Loop. Both buses operate on weekdays at peak hours only.
The first two digits of every local bus on the MTAs fleet indicate the year the bus was built. Although the 30 hybrid articulated buses (series 08001-08030) purchased from New Flyer began service during 2009, they were ordered and built in 2008; or like the New Flyer XDE40 hybrids (series 11001-11057) ordered in mid-2011, but will not go into revenue service until the early winter of 2012.
The three Optima Bus Opus models (series 06011-06013) were purchased specifically for the Mondawmin Shuttle Bug service. The models have since been retired.
During summer seasons, the MTA loans several of its articulated buses to the Ocean City Transit fleet in Ocean City, Maryland
to accommodate the large ridership of the summer season. Ocean City runs the buses from around Memorial Day
until around Labor Day
, returning them to the MTA at the end of the summer season.
announced, in 2008, a commitment to convert the MTA's fleet to hybrid-electric buses by 2014 after the previous order of ten DE40LFRs in 2006. This involves purchasing up to 500 hybrids over a five year period. In 2009, the MTA put the first 130 New Flyer
hybrids into service. Thirty of the hybrids were the 60-foot articulated "DE60LFR" model (ordered in 2008) and one-hundred were the 41-foot "DE41LFR" model (ordered in 2009). In 2010, forty-one more hybrids joined the fleet. These buses are "DE40LFR" models, similar to the DE41LFR, but with the air conditioning unit mounted on the top front half of the vehicle to make it appear with a streamline roof styling. In 2011, twelve "DE60LF" articulated hybrids began service August as rejects from a previous CTA
order in 2009. The 60-foot DE60LF, similar configuration to DE60LFR except with the original model style. These buses are intended for the most heavily traveled routes carrying up to 100 passengers sitting and standing.
Since 2006, the MTA has put one hundred ninety-three hybrid buses in service and has plans for fifty-seven more hybrids from New Flyer (known as "Xcelsior" or "XDE40" model) scheduled to arrive in January 2012. On October 7, 2011, MTA Maryland posted on their official Facebook page, a picture of 11001 one of the first XDE40s to roll off of New Flyer's production line for Baltimore with the caption of "MTA's first pilot Xcelsior Bus is here! Can't wait to get it on the streets of Baltimore!"
New features of the hybrid buses (since 2008) include:
Maryland Transit Administration
The Maryland Transit Administration is a state-operated mass transit administration in Maryland, and is part of the Maryland Department of Transportation. It is better known as MTA Maryland to avoid confusion with other cities' transit agencies who share the initials MTA. The MTA operates a...
provides the primary public bus service for the Baltimore Metropolitan Area
Baltimore Metropolitan Area
The Baltimore-Towson Metropolitan Statistical Area, also known as Central Maryland, is a Metropolitan Statistical Area in Maryland as defined by the United States Office of Management and Budget...
and commuter bus service in other parts of the state of Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. There is currently 78 bus routes, which include 47 local routes, 2 neighborhood shuttle routes, 4 limited stop
Limited-stop
In public transport, a limited-stop bus, tram or train service is a service that operates along the same route as a local bus service, but omits certain stops in order to offer a faster trip between the places served. The term is normally used on routes with a mixture of fast and slow services...
routes (known as QuickBus
QuickBus
Route 40 is a limited stop bus route, identified as a "QuickBus", operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore and its suburbs. The line currently runs from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in Woodlawn to Middle River, both in Baltimore County, Maryland , passing...
), 4 express bus routes (which operate from various suburbs to downtown Baltimore
Downtown Baltimore
Downtown Baltimore is the section of Baltimore traditionally bounded by Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard to the west, Mt. Royal Avenue to the north, President Street to the east and the Inner Harbor area to the south. It consists of four neighborhoods: Westside, City Centre, Inner Harbor, and...
), 19 commuter bus, and 2 Intercounty Connector or "ICC" routes (which operate from various locations mainly in central Maryland to Washington D.C. or various Metrorail
Washington Metro
The Washington Metro, commonly called Metro, and unofficially Metrorail, is the rapid transit system in Washington, D.C., United States, and its surrounding suburbs. It is administered by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority , which also operates Metrobus service under the Metro name...
stations). The commuter bus routes operate in conjunction with one subway
Baltimore Metro Subway
The Baltimore Metro Subway, known locally as the Metro Subway, The Subway, or Baltimore Metro is a rapid transit line serving the greater Baltimore, Maryland, United States area and operated by the Maryland Transit Administration...
line, three light rail
Baltimore Light Rail
The Maryland Transit Administration Light Rail is a light rail system serving Baltimore, Maryland, United States, and the surrounding suburbs.In downtown Baltimore it uses city streets...
lines, MARC train
MARC Train
MARC , known prior to 1984 as Maryland Rail Commuter Service, is a regional rail system comprising three lines in the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. MARC is administered by the Maryland Transit Administration , a Maryland Department of Transportation agency, and is operated under contract...
service, and various connections to other transit agencies.
Operation
The MTA's bus service operates throughout the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan AreaBaltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area
The Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area is a combined statistical area consisting of the overlapping labor market region of the cities of Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, D.C.. The region includes Central Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Jefferson County in the Eastern Panhandle of West...
and other parts of the state. These include local (routes 1 through 99), neighborhood shuttle (routes 97 and 98), QuickBus
QuickBus
Route 40 is a limited stop bus route, identified as a "QuickBus", operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore and its suburbs. The line currently runs from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in Woodlawn to Middle River, both in Baltimore County, Maryland , passing...
(routes 40, 46, 47, & 48), express (routes 104, 120, 150, & 160), Intercounty Connector (routes 201 and 202), and commuter bus (routes 310 through 995)
Local buses
Local bus lines are identified with a one- or two-digit number. Many of the numerical designations have origins dating back to the days of the Baltimore streetcarsHistory 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...
and share the route numbers of the respective streetcars that operated along the same streets.
Most local buses operate regular service seven days a week throughout most hours of the day and evening. Some routes operate 24 hours. A small number of routes operate without evening service, on weekdays only, during peak hours only, or only at the times needed for certain employers.
Until 2009, a series of routes operated in the northwest part of the city and suburbs known as Metro connection buses. These routes had designations of the letter M followed by a number, and operated from a Metro station to a specified location or between two Metro stations. When the Metro connection bus service began in 1984, it used designations beginning with the letter M (Mondawmin), R (Rogers Avenue), or P (Plaza), followed by a number. After the Metro was extended to Owings Mills in 1987, only the letter M was used, and it denoted "Metro."
Since 1988, the number of M-lines had declined, as many of them were consolidated, and some were completely eliminated. After the first phase of the Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative
Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative
GBBI redirects here. For the broadband index, see Government Broadband Index The Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative was a sweeping overhaul planned by the Maryland Transit Administration under the administration of then-Maryland Governor Robert Ehrlich and his transportation secretary Robert...
took effect in 2005, only seven M-lines remained, though this increased to eight after Route M-6
Route M-6 (MTA Maryland)
Route 57 is a bus route operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore and its suburbs. The line currently runs from the Rogers Avenue Metro Subway Station in Northwest Baltimore to Security Square Mall, with selected trips to the Social Security Administration headquarters in Woodlawn...
was restored months later.
Throughout 2008 and 2009, all M-lines were renamed to plain two-digit numerical designations, ranging from 52 to 54 and 56 to 60. During this series of revisions, route changes were also made to some of them, including merging some, splitting others, and completely eliminating part of Route M-17 without any replacement.
Express, Commuter, and Intercounty Connector buses
The MTA's express routes should not be confused with the "express" trips assigned to several of the local bus routes. Express routes are dedicated to providing rapid service by limiting the number of stops along the route. The number of express routes has declined over the past two decades as new rapid transit services have been constructed, and poor-performing routes were eliminated or consolidated.Unlike the commuter buses, express bus routes serve areas where local buses are available. Comparable slower trips can also be accomplished with local buses. Commuter routes, however, provide service between locations not connected by local bus routes.
Both the express and commuter routes, identified with 3-digit numbers, offer limited service mostly during weekday rush hour between downtown Baltimore or Washington and various Park-and-Ride lots or other suburban locations in the state of Maryland. The commuter routes, designated with higher numbers, are operated by contractors rather than MTA employees.
The newest addition to the commuter bus service since 2010. Known as Intercounty Connector or ICC for short, service operates from Gaithersburg
Gaithersburg, Maryland
Gaithersburg is a city in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. The city had a population of 59,933 at the 2010 census, making it the fourth largest incorporated city in the state, behind Baltimore, Frederick, and Rockville...
to BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport
Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is an international airport serving the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area in the United States. It is commonly called BWI, BWI Airport or BWI Marshall, BWI being an initialism for "Baltimore/Washington International" and the...
or DoD
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
/Fort Meade under two routes with three more proposed to begin operation in January 2012, traveling along the newly built Intercounty Connector expressway in central Maryland.
Neighborhood Shuttle Bug
Two of the local routes MTA operates are considered neighborhood shuttles, also known as Shuttle Bugs. Theses local routes focus on a specific neighborhood and the transportation of persons within these communities.During the early 2000s, MTA introduced two such routes. These routes, rather than operating like others around town, have differences that include:
- Reduced fare for a single ride: $1.00 rather than the $1.60 charged on regular buses. MTA unlimited ride passes (also known as "GO-passes") also cover the fare.
- In 2006, three shorter, distinctively painted buses, 30-foot OpusOptima Bus CorporationOptima Bus, LLC, formerly Chance Coach Inc., is a brand of small transit buses manufactured by North American Bus Industries. It was established in 1976 in Wichita, Kansas....
buses were purchased and are used exclusively by the Mondawmin shuttle. The Opus buses are the only non 40- and 60-foot buses in MTA's fleet; held at Northwest (4) garage. In mid-2011, MTA retired the three 30-foot Opus buses due to reliability issues. - Schedules are printed in full color, rather than the monochrome design of most printed schedules, in order to attract more riders.
- Bus stop signs have unique identifications different from usual bus stops. The Hampden ShuttleRoute 98 (MTA Maryland)MTA Route 98, also known as the Hampden Shuttle Bug or Hampden Shuttle, was the first neighborhood shuttle to be introduced. It started operating in 2000 as an experiment conducted by MTA to provide a new type of service. At that time, service operated every 17 minutes in order to match light rail...
is identified by a ladybug, and the Mondawmin ShuttleRoute 97 (MTA Maryland)Route 97, also known as the Mondawmin Shuttle Bug or Mondawmin Shuttle, is one of two neighborhood shuttle routes operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore. It was the second and is so far the final in the series of shuttle bugs to be introduced in the 2000s...
uses the grasshopperGrasshopperThe grasshopper is an insect of the suborder Caelifera in the order Orthoptera. To distinguish it from bush crickets or katydids, it is sometimes referred to as the short-horned grasshopper...
symbol.
The Hampden Shuttle Bug was the first of seven shuttle routes originally planned for Baltimore and its suburbs. Only the Hampden and Mondawmin routes were implemented; no timetable was ever set for other neighborhood shuttle routes.
A proposed Shuttle Bug route between Randallstown and the Owings Mills Metro Subway Station was fought by residents along the route the shuttle would take. Objections included that the service would operate on quiet residential streets not accustomed to bus traffic, and area residents did not need the service.
In 2005 and 2006, in various phases of the Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative
Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative
GBBI redirects here. For the broadband index, see Government Broadband Index The Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative was a sweeping overhaul planned by the Maryland Transit Administration under the administration of then-Maryland Governor Robert Ehrlich and his transportation secretary Robert...
, MTA proposed various changes to these routes which included routing changes and threats to eliminate Route 98 completely and reduce service on Route 97 to once an hour. The only change that was actually made was a shift on Route 98 in 2008 to replace service on Roland Avenue, that was lost through a change to Route 27.
QuickBus
In 2005, MTA introduced a new form of express transit, known as “rapid bus service.” The first of these services was designated Route 40. The line operates every 12–15 minutes from the western to the eastern suburbs of Baltimore through the downtown area, serving various communities in West and East Baltimore. Stops are limited to major intersections, transfer points, and points of interest. Unlike other express buses, local fares are applicable on Route 40. Route 40 was later named "QuickBus."In 2009, a new "QuickBus" route was introduced. Designated as QuickBus 48
Route 48 (MTA Maryland)
Route 48 is a limited stop bus, identified as a "Quickbus", operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore and its suburbs. The line currently runs from the University of Maryland Transit Center to Towson along the York Road/Greenmount Avenue corridor. Service operates Monday...
, it operates along the same route as Route 8 minus the section north of Towson Town Center
Towson Town Center
Towson Town Center is a large indoor shopping mall located in Towson, Maryland. It was the largest indoor shopping mall in Maryland prior to the completion of Arundel Mills in late 2000 in Hanover and the 2007 expansion of the Annapolis Mall.- History :...
. Introduction of another QuickBus service that would operate along the route Route 3 and would have carry the designation "Route 43", but this proposal was delayed.
Two more QuickBus routes began service on August 30, 2010. QuickBus 46
Route 46 (MTA Maryland)
Route 46 is a limited stop bus route, identified as a "Quickbus", operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore. The line currently runs from the Cedonia Loop in Northeast Baltimore to the Paradise Loop, in Catonsville. Service operates every 15 minutes during rush hour only...
operates alongside routes 5 and 10 from Paradise Avenue loop to Cedonia Loop. QuickBus 47
Route 47 (MTA Maryland)
Route 47 is a limited stop bus route, identified as a "Quickbus", operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore. The line currently runs from the Overlea Loop in Northeast Baltimore to Walbrook Junction, in West Baltimore. Service operates every 15 minutes during rush hour only...
travel along the route 15 from Walbrook Junction to Overlea Loop. Both buses operate on weekdays at peak hours only.
Current fleet roster
| Image | Builder | Model | Length (ft.) | Order Year | Fuel Propulsion | Engine/Transmission | Fleet/(Qty.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NABI North American Bus Industries North American Bus Industries, commonly known as NABI, is a major transit bus manufacturing company based in Anniston, Alabama. NABI was founded in 1992 when the Hungarian firm Ikarus Bus, a key bus supplier to Central, Eastern Europe, spun off a majority share of their American operations to... |
416.08 | 40 ft (12.2 m) | 1997 | Diesel |
|
9701-9750 (50) |
|
|
| NABI | 416.08 | 40 ft (12.2 m) | 1998 | Diesel |
|
9801-9865 (65) |
|
|
| NABI | 416.09 | 40 ft (12.2 m) | 1999 | Diesel |
|
9901-9967 (67) |
|
|
| NABI | 416.10 | 40 ft (12.2 m) | 2000 | Diesel |
|
0001-0080 (80) |
|
|
| MCI Motor Coach Industries Motor Coach Industries International Inc. is an American bus manufacturer based in Schaumburg, Illinois, and is a leading participant in the North American coach bus industry. It has various operating subsidiaries:... |
D4500 | 45 ft (13.7 m) | 2002 | Diesel |
|
119C-144C (26) |
|
|
| Neoplan USA Neoplan USA Neoplan USA was a major transit bus manufacturing company based in Denver, Colorado, which was entirely separate from the German corporation, Neoplan, licensing its designs from the German company of the same name. The company was founded in 1981 and folded in 2006. It was originally a subsidiary... |
AN440LF | 40 ft (12.2 m) | 2002 | Diesel |
|
0200-0299 (100) |
|
|
| NFI New Flyer Industries New Flyer Industries Inc. is a bus manufacturer in North America, headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It also has factories in Crookston and St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA.-History:... |
D40LF | 40 ft (12.2 m) | 2004 | Diesel |
|
04001-04125 (125) |
|
|
| NFI | D40LF | 40 ft (12.2 m) | 2005 | Diesel |
|
05001-05094 (94) |
||
| NFI | DE40LFR | 40 ft (12.2 m) | 2006 | Diesel-electric Hybrid Hybrid electric bus A hybrid electric bus combines a conventional internal combustion engine propulsion system with an electric propulsion system. These type of buses normally use a diesel-electric powertrain and are also known as hybrid diesel-electric buses.... |
|
06001-06010 (10) |
|
|
| NFI | DE60LFR | 60 ft (18.3 m) | 2008 | Diesel-electric Hybrid |
|
08001-08030 (30) |
|
|
| NFI | DE41LFR | 41 ft (12.5 m) | 2009 | Diesel-eletric Hybrid |
|
09001-09100 (100) |
|
|
| NFI | DE40LFR | 40 ft (12.2 m) | 2010 | Diesel-electric Hybrid |
|
10001-10041 (41) |
|
|
| MCI | D4500CT | 45 ft (13.7 m) | 2010 | Diesel |
|
145C-168C (24) |
|
|
| MCI | D4500CT | 45 ft (13.7 m) | 2011 | Diesel |
|
169C-188C (18) |
|
|
| NFI | DE60LF | 60 ft (18.3 m) | 2011 | Diesel-electric Hybrid |
|
11081-11092 (12) |
Chicago Transit Authority Chicago Transit Authority, also known as CTA, is the operator of mass transit within the City of Chicago, Illinois and some of its surrounding suburbs.... in 2009; each bus the price of a 40-foot unit |
|
| NFI | XDE40 | 40 ft (12.2 m) | 2012 | Diesel-electric Hybrid |
|
11001-11057 (57) |
|
|
The first two digits of every local bus on the MTAs fleet indicate the year the bus was built. Although the 30 hybrid articulated buses (series 08001-08030) purchased from New Flyer began service during 2009, they were ordered and built in 2008; or like the New Flyer XDE40 hybrids (series 11001-11057) ordered in mid-2011, but will not go into revenue service until the early winter of 2012.
The three Optima Bus Opus models (series 06011-06013) were purchased specifically for the Mondawmin Shuttle Bug service. The models have since been retired.
During summer seasons, the MTA loans several of its articulated buses to the Ocean City Transit fleet in Ocean City, Maryland
Ocean City, Maryland
Ocean City, sometimes known as OC, or OCMD, is an Atlantic Ocean resort town in Worcester County, Maryland, United States. Ocean City is widely known in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States and is a frequent destination for vacationers in that area...
to accommodate the large ridership of the summer season. Ocean City runs the buses from around Memorial Day
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
until around Labor Day
Labor Day
Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.-History:...
, returning them to the MTA at the end of the summer season.
Retired fleet roster
| Order Year/Retired | Builder | Model | Picture | Length (ft) | Fuel Propulsion |
Fleet/(Qty.) | Configuration | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971/1992 | General Motors General Motors Diesel Division General Motors Diesel Division was a unit of General Motors and was a manufacturer of locomotives, transit buses and military products.The locomotive unit was acquired by private investors, the transit bus divisions were purchased by TMC in the U.S. and MCI in Canada, and the GM Defense unit was... |
New Look 5306 | 40 | Diesel | 2301-2484 (184) |
No | City |
|
|
| 1971/1992 | General Motors | New Look 5306 | 40 | Diesel | 2501-2674 (174) |
No | City | ||
| 1971/1990 | General Motors | New Look 5306 | 40 | Diesel | 2700-2709 (10) |
No | City | ||
| 1974/1992 | General Motors | New Look 5308 | 40 | Diesel | 2901-2960 (60) |
No | City | ||
| 1973/1992 | Flxible Flxible New Look bus The Flxible New Look bus is a transit bus introduced in 1960 by The Flxible Company, and produced from 1960 until 1978, when the New Look was replaced by the "870" Advanced Design Bus. Over its 17-year production run 13,121 Flxible New Look buses were manufactured.-Design:The Flxible New Look bus... |
New Look | 40 | Diesel | 2801-2840 (40) |
No | Semi-Suburban | ||
| 1975/1992 | Grumman Flxible Flxible Metro The Flxible Metro is a transit bus that was manufactured by the Flxible Corporation from 1978 until 1996. From 1978 until 1983, when Flxible was owned by Grumman, the model was known as the Grumman 870, with a Grumman nameplate.-History:... |
Metro A | 40 | Diesel | 3001-3205 (205) |
No | City | ||
| 1979/1990 | General Motors | RTS-II | 40 | Diesel | 3301-3360 (60) |
No | City | ||
| 1980/1990 | General Motors | RTS-II | 40 | Diesel | 3361-3401 (41) |
No | City | ||
| 1982/1998 | Grumman Flxible | Metro A | 40 | Diesel | 3501-3541 (41) |
No | City | ||
| 1982/1999 | Grumman Flxible | Metro A | 40 | Diesel | 3542-3581 (41) |
Yes | City | ||
| 1983/1999 | Flxible Metro | Metro A | 40 | Diesel | 8301-8370 (70) |
No | City | ||
| 1983/2001 | Flxible | Metro A | 40 | Diesel | 8371-8380 (10) |
Yes | Semi-suburban | ||
| 1984/200? | Flxible | Metro A | 40 | Diesel | 8401-8430 (30) |
No | City | ||
| 1984/200? | Flxible | Metro A | 40 | Diesel | 8431-8480 (50) |
No | City | ||
| 1984/1998 | Flxible | Metro A | 30 | Diesel | 8581 (1) |
No | Semi-suburban |
|
|
| 1985/200? | Flxible | Metro A | 40 | Diesel | 8501-8570 (70) |
Yes | Suburban | ||
| 1985/200? | Flxible | Metro A | 40 | Diesel | 8571-8580 (10) |
No | Semi-Suburban | ||
| 1985/1993 | General Motors | New Look 5306 | 40 | Diesel | 3601-3625 (25) |
No | City |
|
|
| 1985/1993 | Flxible | New Looks | 40 | Diesel | 3626-3650 (25) |
No | City |
|
|
| 1986/2000 | Neoplan USA Neoplan USA Neoplan USA was a major transit bus manufacturing company based in Denver, Colorado, which was entirely separate from the German corporation, Neoplan, licensing its designs from the German company of the same name. The company was founded in 1981 and folded in 2006. It was originally a subsidiary... |
AN440A | 40 | Diesel | 3701-3705 (5) |
Yes | City | ||
| 1986/2000 | Neoplan USA | AN440A | 40 | Diesel | 3706-3710 (5) |
No | City | ||
| 1987/200? | Flxible | Metro A | 40 | Diesel | 8601-8680 (80) |
No | City | ||
| 1987/200? | Flxible | Metro B | 40 | Diesel | 8701-8730 (30) |
No | City |
|
|
| 1987/200? | Flxible | Metro B | 40 | Diesel | 8731-8740 (10) |
No | City | ||
| 1987/200? | Flxible | Metro B | 30 | Diesel | 8741-8750 (10) |
No | Semi-suburban | ||
| 1987/200? | Flxible | Metro B | 30 | Diesel | 8751-8760 (10) |
Yes | Semi-suburban |
|
|
| 1987/200? | Flxible | Metro B | 40 | Diesel | 7001-7035 (35) |
No | Semi-suburban |
|
|
| 1987/200? | Flxible | Metro B | 40 | Diesel | 7036-7055 (20) |
Yes | Semi-suburban |
|
|
| 1988/200? | Flxible | Metro B | 40 | Diesel | 8801-8840 (40) |
No | City | ||
| 1988/200? | Flxible | Metro B | 40 | Diesel | 8841-8880 (40) |
Yes | City | ||
| 1989/200? | Flxible | Metro B | 40 | Diesel | 8901-8940 (40) |
No | City | ||
| 1989/200? | Flxible | Metro B | 40 | Diesel | 8941-8960 (20) |
Yes | City | ||
| 1989/200? | Flxible | Metro B | 40 | Diesel | 8961-8980 (20) |
Yes | Semi-suburban | ||
| 1990/200? | Flxible | Metro B | 40 | Diesel | 9001-9080 (80) |
Yes | City | ||
| 1990/200? | Flxible | Metro B | 40 | Diesel | 101C-118C (18) |
Yes | Suburban |
|
|
| 1992/200? | Flxible | Metro C | 40 | Diesel | 9201-9250 (1) |
Yes | City | ||
| 1993/1995 | Flxible | Metro D | 40 | LNG | 9301-9304 (4) |
Yes | City |
|
|
| 1994/200? | Flxible | Metro D | 40 | Diesel | 9401-9425 (25) |
Yes | City | ||
| 1994/200? | Flxible | Metro D | 40 | Diesel | 9426-9430 (5) |
Yes | City | ||
| 1994/200? | Flxible | Metro D | 40 | Diesel | 9431-9435 (5) |
Yes | City | ||
| 1994/2009 | American Ikarus/NABI North American Bus Industries North American Bus Industries, commonly known as NABI, is a major transit bus manufacturing company based in Anniston, Alabama. NABI was founded in 1992 when the Hungarian firm Ikarus Bus, a key bus supplier to Central, Eastern Europe, spun off a majority share of their American operations to... |
436.05 | 60 | Diesel | 9501-9510 (10) |
Yes | City |
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| 1995/200? | Flxible | Metro E | 40 | Diesel | 9521-9539 (19) |
Yes | City | ||
| 1997/2009 | American Ikarus/NABI | 436.08 | 60 | Diesel | 9601-9620 (20) |
Yes | City |
|
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| 2000/2004 | Thomas Thomas Built Buses Thomas Built Buses, Inc. is a bus manufacturer based in High Point, North Carolina, United States and a subsidiary of the German Daimler AG. Thomas produces school buses, activity buses/MFSAB , and commercial buses; both small and full-size buses are produced.Thomas traces its roots to 1916, when... |
SLF-230 | 30 | Diesel | 3001-3004 (4) |
Yes | City |
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| 2001/2004 | Thomas | SLF-230 | 30 | Diesel | 3005-3009 (5) |
Yes | City |
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| 2001/2004 | Thomas | SLF-230 | 30 | Diesel | 3010-3016 (7) |
Yes | City | ||
| 2006/2010 | Optima North American Bus Industries North American Bus Industries, commonly known as NABI, is a major transit bus manufacturing company based in Anniston, Alabama. NABI was founded in 1992 when the Hungarian firm Ikarus Bus, a key bus supplier to Central, Eastern Europe, spun off a majority share of their American operations to... |
Opus | 30 | Diesel | 06011-06013 (3) |
Yes | City |
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Hybrid vehicles (2008-)
Governor Martin O'MalleyMartin O'Malley
Martin Joseph O'Malley is an American Democratic politician who is currently serving as the 61st Governor of Maryland. Previously, he served as the mayor of Baltimore from 1999 to 2007. He is currently the chairman of the Democratic Governors Association.-Early life, education and career:O'Malley...
announced, in 2008, a commitment to convert the MTA's fleet to hybrid-electric buses by 2014 after the previous order of ten DE40LFRs in 2006. This involves purchasing up to 500 hybrids over a five year period. In 2009, the MTA put the first 130 New Flyer
New Flyer Industries
New Flyer Industries Inc. is a bus manufacturer in North America, headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It also has factories in Crookston and St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA.-History:...
hybrids into service. Thirty of the hybrids were the 60-foot articulated "DE60LFR" model (ordered in 2008) and one-hundred were the 41-foot "DE41LFR" model (ordered in 2009). In 2010, forty-one more hybrids joined the fleet. These buses are "DE40LFR" models, similar to the DE41LFR, but with the air conditioning unit mounted on the top front half of the vehicle to make it appear with a streamline roof styling. In 2011, twelve "DE60LF" articulated hybrids began service August as rejects from a previous CTA
Chicago Transit Authority
Chicago Transit Authority, also known as CTA, is the operator of mass transit within the City of Chicago, Illinois and some of its surrounding suburbs....
order in 2009. The 60-foot DE60LF, similar configuration to DE60LFR except with the original model style. These buses are intended for the most heavily traveled routes carrying up to 100 passengers sitting and standing.
Since 2006, the MTA has put one hundred ninety-three hybrid buses in service and has plans for fifty-seven more hybrids from New Flyer (known as "Xcelsior" or "XDE40" model) scheduled to arrive in January 2012. On October 7, 2011, MTA Maryland posted on their official Facebook page, a picture of 11001 one of the first XDE40s to roll off of New Flyer's production line for Baltimore with the caption of "MTA's first pilot Xcelsior Bus is here! Can't wait to get it on the streets of Baltimore!"
New features of the hybrid buses (since 2008) include:
| <<< New features >>> |
|---|
| Tip-in windows, which open only at the top |
| Blue & light green wave paint scheme (orders since 2009) |
| White LED LEd LEd is a TeX/LaTeX editing software working under Microsoft Windows. It is a freeware product.... headsigns (orders since 2011) |
| Non-tinted and frameless windows |
| Traction flooring |
| HVAC unit mounted on roof of vehicle |
| American seating 4th generation urban style seats |
| Noise reduction |
| Vandalism-proof interior (orders since 2011) |
| Automatic touch-motion handles on rear doors |
| Wider doorways |
| Flourescent interior lighting |
| Better safety equipment |
| 20% higher fuel mileage |
| 25% longer brake life |
| More than 3x as many miles than non-hybrids |
Bus yards
MTA local bus service in Baltimore is divided into four divisions, each served by its own maintenance yard. The first digit of a bus's "block number", attached to the bottom right corner of its windshield (from inside of bus), indicates its "base" division. As well on the buses, they feature a letter attached to the end of the fleet number. The letter represent the "first letter" of the division from where the bus is based.| Base (No.) | Base (Letter) | Division | Routes | Yard location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | Bush Street | 1, 3, 8, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 23, 27, 29, 30, 35, 36, 38, 40, 46, 47, 48, 51, 61, 64, 77, 99, 150 | 1515 Washington Blvd. |
| 2 | E | Eastern | 4, 5, 7, 10, 13, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 30, 33, 35, 40, 46, 55, 160 | 201 S. Oldham St. |
| 3 | K | Kirk Avenue | 3, 8, 9, 11, 12, 15, 19, 36, 44, 47, 48, 50, 55, 104, 120 | 2226 Kirk Ave. |
| 4 | N | Northwest | 5, 7, 13, 16, 18, 22, 27, 33, 44, 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 77, 91, 97, 98, 99 | 4401 Mt. Hope Dr. |