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Route 44 (MTA Maryland)
Encyclopedia
Route 44 is a bus route operated by the Maryland Transit Administration
in Baltimore
and its suburbs. The line currently runs from Rosedale Industrial Park
near Pulaski Highway
just outside the Baltimore city limits on the east side of the city across the northern portion of the city to Security Square Mall
, with selected peak hour trips to the Social Security Administration
. Some early morning trips before 7 AM lay over at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
(CMS) headquarters. The line operates mostly along Frankford Avenue, Echodale Avenue, East Belvedere Avenue, Northern Parkway
, Rogers Avenue, and Gwynn Oak Avenue, serving the communities of Gardenville, Hamilton, Belvedere Park, Homeland
, Roland Park, Pimlico
, and Arlington, and the western suburb of Woodlawn
.
to Gwynn Oak Avenue, with branches in opposite directions along Gwynn Oak to Woodlawn and Arlington. The no. 33 streetcar had operated from Gwynn Oak to Park Heights Avenue
before operating downtown. Route D had operated between Pimlico
and Overlea
, making use of Lake Avenue between Falls Road
and Charles Street
, and then Belvedere, Echodale, and Frankford to Belair Road.
's Woodlawn headquarters, which opened in 1960.
In 1973, a new branch was added to the line, which operated to Brighton, serving the Reisterstown Road Plaza
and the Cross Country community. These trips operated on weekdays and Saturdays very minimally, usually less than once an hour.
In 2000, the Hollander Ridge terminus was relocated to Rosedale Industrial Park with the demolition of the Hollander Ridge projects.
In 2005, as part of the Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative
, all Gwynn Oak trips on the line were extended to Security Square Mall
, as the line absorbed Route M-6
, and the frequency was improved. The midday frequency was improved, and the Brighton Branch was eliminated. Though service was not provided on the exact distinct streets served by the Brighton branch, riders were within a close walk of Route M-10 (now Route 58
).
There was also consideration to reroute Route 44 line to serve the Mt. Washington Light Rail Stop, but this plan was later dropped because buses would take longer to travel crosstown, and finding a route was difficult because certain left turns in the Sinai Hospital
area are prohibited.
The overhaul of Route 44, which took effect on October 23, 2005, was not greeted well. Most of those who complained about the changes were upset not about any changes on Route 44, but rather about the elimination of Route M-6, which operated from the Rogers Avenue Metro Subway Station to the Security Boulevard
area along a similar but variant route. These rides complained that the new combined route longer route had lower reliability, and that those on the streets that were distinctly served by Route M-6 no longer had bus service, requiring riders to walk.
MTA responded these complaints by implementing a limited number of M-6 trips in March 2006, and returning Route M-6 to full-time status on October 8 of the same year while not diminishing the Route 44's level of service. It was noted that the frequency of service between Rogers Avenue and Security would be doubled at most times.
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...
and its suburbs. The line currently runs from Rosedale Industrial Park
Rosedale, Maryland
Rosedale is an unincorporated community and a census-designated place in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States. The population was 19,199 at the 2000 census.- History :...
near Pulaski Highway
U.S. Route 40 in Maryland
U.S. Route 40 in the U.S. state of Maryland runs from western Maryland to Cecil County in the state's northeastern corner. With a total length of over , it is the longest numbered highway in Maryland. Almost half of the road overlaps with Interstate 68 or Interstate 70, while the old alignment...
just outside the Baltimore city limits on the east side of the city across the northern portion of the city to 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...
, with selected peak hour trips to the Social Security Administration
Social Security Administration
The United States Social Security Administration is an independent agency of the United States federal government that administers Social Security, a social insurance program consisting of retirement, disability, and survivors' benefits...
. Some early morning trips before 7 AM lay over at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services , previously known as the Health Care Financing Administration , is a federal agency within the United States Department of Health and Human Services that administers the Medicare program and works in partnership with state governments to administer...
(CMS) headquarters. The line operates mostly along Frankford Avenue, Echodale Avenue, East Belvedere Avenue, Northern Parkway
Northern Parkway (Baltimore)
Northern Parkway is a major road that runs west–east across the northern part of the city Baltimore. For most of the way, it is at least six lanes wide, and it is used by motorists for crosstown travel....
, Rogers Avenue, and Gwynn Oak Avenue, serving the communities of Gardenville, Hamilton, Belvedere Park, Homeland
Homeland, Baltimore
Homeland is a neighborhood located in the northern part of Baltimore, Maryland, United States. It is bounded roughly by Melrose Avenue on the north, Bellona Avenue on the east, Homeland Avenue on the south, and Charles Street on the west....
, Roland Park, Pimlico
Pimlico, Baltimore
Pimlico, a neighborhood in Baltimore, Maryland, is the site of Pimlico Race Course, which holds the Preakness Stakes, one of the three legs of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing...
, and Arlington, and the western suburb of Woodlawn
Woodlawn, Baltimore County, Maryland
Woodlawn is an unincorporated community and a census-designated place in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States. The population was 36,079 at the 2000 census. It is home to both the headquarters of the Social Security Administration as well as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services...
.
History
Prior to the existence of Route 44 in the 1940s, no bus route operated fully across the same parts of the city as Route 44 does today. But parts of Route 44 are the successors to the Nos. 32 and 33 Streetcar Lines and Bus Route D, which operated before Northern Parkway was built. The no. 32 Streetcar had operated along to Liberty Heights corridorMaryland Route 26
Maryland Route 26 is an east–west state highway in the U.S. state of Maryland. Outside of the Baltimore city limits, it is known as Liberty Road; inside the city limits it is known as Liberty Heights Avenue....
to Gwynn Oak Avenue, with branches in opposite directions along Gwynn Oak to Woodlawn and Arlington. The no. 33 streetcar had operated from Gwynn Oak to Park Heights Avenue
Maryland Route 129
Maryland Route 129 is a state highway in the U.S. state of Maryland, running north-northwesterly from downtown Baltimore into Baltimore County, ending east of Reisterstown...
before operating downtown. Route D had operated between Pimlico
Pimlico, Baltimore
Pimlico, a neighborhood in Baltimore, Maryland, is the site of Pimlico Race Course, which holds the Preakness Stakes, one of the three legs of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing...
and Overlea
Overlea, Maryland
Overlea is an unincorporated community and a census-designated place in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States. The population was 12,148 at the 2000 census. Students attend Overlea High School. Area roads include Belair Road and Kenwood Avenue. Contrary to most local residents believe,...
, making use of Lake Avenue between Falls Road
Maryland Route 25
Maryland Route 25 , locally known for nearly its entire length as Falls Road, is a state highway in the U.S. state of Maryland. It begins north of downtown Baltimore, just north of Penn Station, and continues north through Baltimore County almost to the Pennsylvania state line...
and Charles Street
Maryland Route 139
Maryland Route 139, known locally for most of its existence as North Charles Street, runs through Baltimore City and through the Towson area of Baltimore County. On the north end it terminates at a traffic circle with Bellona Avenue near Interstate 695 and at the south end it terminates in Federal...
, and then Belvedere, Echodale, and Frankford to Belair Road.
Origin
Route 44 started operating in 1946. The line operated during most of its existence from the Gwynn Oak Park loop (the former terminus of the no. 33 streetcar and former location of a roller coaster park during the streetcar era) in Woodlawn to the Frankford and Cedella before being extended to the Hollander Ridge housing projects in East Baltimore. Extensions have been made to accommodate new developments in the city and suburbs, including most notably, the Social Security AdministrationSocial Security Administration
The United States Social Security Administration is an independent agency of the United States federal government that administers Social Security, a social insurance program consisting of retirement, disability, and survivors' benefits...
's Woodlawn headquarters, which opened in 1960.
In 1973, a new branch was added to the line, which operated to Brighton, serving the Reisterstown Road Plaza
Reisterstown Road Plaza
The Reisterstown Road Plaza, usually known since its inception simply as "The Plaza," is a shopping center and mall located near the Reisterstown Plaza Metro Subway Station...
and the Cross Country community. These trips operated on weekdays and Saturdays very minimally, usually less than once an hour.
In 2000, the Hollander Ridge terminus was relocated to Rosedale Industrial Park with the demolition of the Hollander Ridge projects.
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...
, all Gwynn Oak trips on the line were extended to 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...
, as the line absorbed 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...
, and the frequency was improved. The midday frequency was improved, and the Brighton Branch was eliminated. Though service was not provided on the exact distinct streets served by the Brighton branch, riders were within a close walk of Route M-10 (now Route 58
Route 58 (MTA Maryland)
Route 58 is a bus route operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore and its suburbs. The line's western terminus is the Reisterstown Plaza Metro Subway Station, and its eastern terminus is White Marsh Mall, though some peak hour trips make short turns in Overlea....
).
There was also consideration to reroute Route 44 line to serve the Mt. Washington Light Rail Stop, but this plan was later dropped because buses would take longer to travel crosstown, and finding a route was difficult because certain left turns in the Sinai Hospital
Sinai Hospital
LifeBridge Health is a Baltimore area corporation operating several medical institutions. These most notably include Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Northwest Hospital , and various nursing homes and medical office complexes.-Sinai Hospital:Sinai Hospital is a Baltimore, Maryland hospital originally...
area are prohibited.
The overhaul of Route 44, which took effect on October 23, 2005, was not greeted well. Most of those who complained about the changes were upset not about any changes on Route 44, but rather about the elimination of Route M-6, which operated from the Rogers Avenue Metro Subway Station to the Security Boulevard
Maryland Route 122
Maryland Route 122 , better known locally as Security Boulevard, is a six-lane highway that runs near the Social Security Administration complex located in Woodlawn in western Baltimore County, Maryland...
area along a similar but variant route. These rides complained that the new combined route longer route had lower reliability, and that those on the streets that were distinctly served by Route M-6 no longer had bus service, requiring riders to walk.
MTA responded these complaints by implementing a limited number of M-6 trips in March 2006, and returning Route M-6 to full-time status on October 8 of the same year while not diminishing the Route 44's level of service. It was noted that the frequency of service between Rogers Avenue and Security would be doubled at most times.