Route 150 (MTA Maryland)
Encyclopedia
Route 150 is a bus route operated by the Maryland Transit Administration
in Baltimore
, Ellicott City, and Columbia, Maryland
. The line currently operates between the Village of Harper's Choice in Columbia and downtown Baltimore
, mostly via US-29 and US-40, serving The Mall in Columbia and Catonsville
. But it was never extended to any location past Ellicott City. The line was operated as Route 14 until 1927, when service to Ellicott City was redesignated Route 9. The No. 9 Streetcar operated between Ellicott City and Baltimore up until 1952, when it was shortened to a shuttle that operated between Ellicott City and Catonsville only. The shuttle streetcar service lasted until 1955, when it was converted into a shuttle bus. The shuttle bus operation was discontinued in 1957.
Later, Route 929, a commuter bus route marketed as a service for Columbia to Washington commuters, operated several trips each day that originated in Baltimore, and operated to Columbia through Ellicott City before continuing to Washington. Though printed in the schedules, this line was not advertised for this purpose.
Route 12 started providing express service from both the western and eastern suburbs of Baltimore in 1972. The west side service operated from a park-and-ride lot on US-40 near Westview Mall
, and the eastern end service from one on Eastern Boulevard
known as the Essex Park-and Ride. In 1991, the no. 12 line was redesignated, and west side service was renamed to "Route 150" and east side service to Route 160
.
Neither Route 12 nor Route 150 were ever intended to serve Howard County
. Route 150's origin would later be moved to the intersection of US-40 and Rolling Road
. Selected trips also operated from near Security Square Mall
, but these were eliminated in 1995. During the early 2000s, the line was eventually extended to the Long Gate Park-and-Ride lot in Ellicott City (near US-29 and Maryland Route 103
), with two-way service during rush hour to allow for reverse commuters who worked in Ellicott City and the second connection between MTA to Howard Transit
, the other being at BWI Airport, where the Light Rail
and Bus Route 17 meet Howard Transit's Silver Line.
In 2005, as part of the Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative
, MTA proposed to completely eliminate Route 150, and not to provide any bus service to Ellicott City, requiring riders who wished to reach Ellicott City from Baltimore to spend several hours each way on buses. The line at the time was reported as having 143 daily riders, and had required a taxpayer subsidy of $8.71 per boarding, and was seen as a "failed experiment." Due to public outcry, four round trips each day (two AM and two PM) were retained and operate to this day.
In 2009, Route 150 was extended to Columbia. On January 12, Route 311 between Columbia and Baltimore was discontinued, and Route 150 was extended to Columbia Mall. On February 8, the line was extended to the Village of Harper's Choice.
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...
in Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, Ellicott City, and Columbia, Maryland
Columbia, Maryland
Columbia is a planned community that consists of ten self-contained villages, located in Howard County, Maryland, United States. It began with the idea that a city could enhance its residents' quality of life. Creator and developer James W. Rouse saw the new community in terms of human values, not...
. The line currently operates between the Village of Harper's Choice in Columbia and 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...
, mostly via US-29 and US-40, serving The Mall in Columbia and Catonsville
Catonsville, Maryland
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:In 2010 Catonsville had a population of 41,567...
History
In 1898, service operated by the Columbia and Maryland Railway began between Baltimore and Ellicott City. The intention was to operate a passenger railroad service between Baltimore and WashingtonWashington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
. But it was never extended to any location past Ellicott City. The line was operated as Route 14 until 1927, when service to Ellicott City was redesignated Route 9. The No. 9 Streetcar operated between Ellicott City and Baltimore up until 1952, when it was shortened to a shuttle that operated between Ellicott City and Catonsville only. The shuttle streetcar service lasted until 1955, when it was converted into a shuttle bus. The shuttle bus operation was discontinued in 1957.
Later, Route 929, a commuter bus route marketed as a service for Columbia to Washington commuters, operated several trips each day that originated in Baltimore, and operated to Columbia through Ellicott City before continuing to Washington. Though printed in the schedules, this line was not advertised for this purpose.
Route 12 started providing express service from both the western and eastern suburbs of Baltimore in 1972. The west side service operated from a park-and-ride lot on US-40 near Westview Mall
Westview Mall
Westview Mall was an indoor mall located in Catonsville, Maryland. The mall originally opened in 1958 as an outdoor strip mall, but was later converted into an indoor shopping center . The original anchors were Hutzler's and Stewart's although Stewart's became Caldor in 1983...
, and the eastern end service from one on Eastern Boulevard
Maryland Route 150
Maryland Route 150 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Maryland. Known for most of its length as either Eastern Avenue or Eastern Boulevard, the state highway runs from U.S. Route 40 in Baltimore east to Graces Quarters Road in Chase in eastern Baltimore County. MD 150 connects Baltimore...
known as the Essex Park-and Ride. In 1991, the no. 12 line was redesignated, and west side service was renamed to "Route 150" and east side service to Route 160
Route 160 (MTA Maryland)
Route 160 is an express bus route that operates to downtown Baltimore and Johns Hopkins Hospital from two locations in the Essex, Maryland area: Fox Ridge and Whispering Woods. The line serves the Essex Park-and-Ride lot, then operates via I-95 through the Ft. McHenry Tunnel.-History:Route 160...
.
Neither Route 12 nor Route 150 were ever intended to serve Howard County
Howard County, Maryland
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*62.2% White*17.5% Black*0.3% Native American*14.4% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.6% Two or more races*2.0% Other races*5.8% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
. Route 150's origin would later be moved to the intersection of US-40 and Rolling Road
Rolling Road
Rolling Road is a major cross county road that runs through Baltimore County, Maryland. The road, once a continuous route, is divided into two by Interstate 95...
. Selected trips also operated from near Security Square Mall
Security Square Mall
Security Square Mall is a large mall in the suburbs of Baltimore, Maryland, United States. The mall features over 100 stores and restaurants, as well as a food court, with Burlington Coat Factory, Macy's, Old Navy and Sears serving as anchor stores. One section of the mall, Seoul Plaza, used to...
, but these were eliminated in 1995. During the early 2000s, the line was eventually extended to the Long Gate Park-and-Ride lot in Ellicott City (near US-29 and Maryland Route 103
Maryland Route 103
Maryland Route 103 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Maryland. The state highway runs from Parkway Drive South in Hanover northwest to St. Johns Lane in Ellicott City. MD 103 serves as the local complement to MD 100 from Hanover in northwestern Anne Arundel County through Dorsey to...
), with two-way service during rush hour to allow for reverse commuters who worked in Ellicott City and the second connection between MTA to Howard Transit
Howard Transit
Howard Transit is the primary public transit system in Howard County, Maryland, which grew from the former ColumBus bus system in Columbia, Maryland...
, the other being at BWI Airport, where the 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...
and Bus Route 17 meet Howard Transit's Silver Line.
In 2005, as part 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 to completely eliminate Route 150, and not to provide any bus service to Ellicott City, requiring riders who wished to reach Ellicott City from Baltimore to spend several hours each way on buses. The line at the time was reported as having 143 daily riders, and had required a taxpayer subsidy of $8.71 per boarding, and was seen as a "failed experiment." Due to public outcry, four round trips each day (two AM and two PM) were retained and operate to this day.
In 2009, Route 150 was extended to Columbia. On January 12, Route 311 between Columbia and Baltimore was discontinued, and Route 150 was extended to Columbia Mall. On February 8, the line was extended to the Village of Harper's Choice.