1. Central Maryland Transit Development Plan
Your Transit Future 2022
Transit for Central Maryland
Central Maryland Transit Development Plan
Planning the Future of Transit in Our Region
Presenting the Alternatives: Public Meetings
North Laurel Community Center--Monday, August 21, 2017
Non‐Profit Center of Howard County--Wednesday, September 13, 2017
George Howard Building--Monday, September 18, 2017 
Anne Arundel Community College at Arundel Mills Mall--Tuesday, September 12, 2017
Anne Arundel
County
Howard
County
Prince George’s
County
City of Laurel
Regional Transportation
Agency of Central Maryland

2. A g e n d a
Welcome
What is the Central Maryland Transit Development Plan?
Where we are in the process
Overview of transit alternatives
Visit stations & provide input to staff

3. P a r t n e r s Anne Arundel County Howard County
Service Area
Anne Arundel County
Howard County
Northern Prince George’s County
City of Laurel
Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland (RTA)
Maryland Transit Administration
Laurel
Columbia
Ellicott City
Elkridge
BWI Airport
Arundel
Mills
Odenton
Jessup
College Park
Fort Meade
Glen Burnie
HOWARD COUNTY
ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY
BALTIMORE COUNTY
BALTIMORE CITY
RTA Route
Interstate
US Route
Legend
The TDP serves as a management and policy document for the local partners. The Central Maryland plan excludes the City of Annapolis and Central/Southern Prince George’s County, since they will be doing separate TDPs in the coming year.
As background, previously TDPs were developed separately for Anne Arundel County, Howard County, and Connect-A-Ride services (now RTA) in Prince George’s County. These jurisdictions along with the City of Laurel partnered to establish the RTA in 2014 to combine their management and administrative functions, with the aim of reducing operating expenses and providing better customer service to riders. The RTA has its own staff that runs the daily operations of bus services, with the partner jurisdictions overseeing RTA management and planning service changes and improvements.
This Central Maryland TDP is significant in that it is the first fully regional transit plan for our unique region that includes several jurisdiction partners.
The MTA requires Locally Operated Transit Systems in Maryland to conduct a TDP every 5 years. The local transit systems use the TDP as a basis for preparing their annual applications to the state for transit funding.

4. T D P O v e r v i e w
Guide public transit service improvements in Central Maryland over next 5 years
Establish transit goals & objectives
Evaluate existing transit services
Develop alternatives to address unmet needs & service issues
Provide implementation plan & budget
Opportunity to engage public & stakeholders about what transit should look like
TDP must be endorsed by elected officials (Howard County, Anne Arundel County)

5. P r o j e c t S c h e d u l e Identify transit goals/objectives
Evaluate existing services
Collect public input on needs
Identify transit issues & opportunities
Develop service & organizational alternatives
Collect public input on alternatives
Refine recommendations-September
Develop draft plan-October-November
Collect input from elected officials & public on
draft plan-December/January
Complete final Transit Development Plan-January 2018
The draft plan will include a 5-year implementation plan, outlining the proposed timeframe and estimated budget for service improvements.

6. C u r r e n t R T A S e r v i c e
15 bus routes (formerly Howard Transit/Connect-A-Ride)
RTA Mobility service
For ADA certified customers in all areas served by fixed-routes
For individuals with disabilities & older adults (age 60+) in Howard County
Operates seven days a week
Fares
Regular one-way $2.00, Reduced one-way $1.00, Transfer $1.00
RTA Mobility one-way $2.50, $4.00 ADA trips for non-Howard County residents
Destinations include Arundel Mills, BWI Airport, Columbia Mall, Towne Centre at Laurel, College Park Metro Station & Odenton MARC Station
Span of service:
6:00am-11:00pm on weekdays
8:00am-10:00pm on Saturday
10:00am-6:00pm on Sunday
Some routes run earlier or later than these hours; not all routes run every day.

7. What do riders want? Reliable service (on time, minimal breakdowns)
More frequent buses (shorter wait times)
More weekend service
Connections to more places people need to go (esp. work, shopping, school)
Fixed Route Trip Purpose

8. Fixed Route Plan Elements
Plan Response
Fixed Route Plan Elements
More short routes versus fewer longer routes
Straighter routes between destinations
Focus on where most people need to go (work, shopping, school)
Reduced travel times
More frequent service; 30 min. headways on 4 key routes in Howard County
More weekend service
Expansion routes - Four in Howard County. Four in Anne Arundel plus five local, flexible routes/service areas (call-and-ride)
At present, of the 9 routes in Howard County, only one of them (the 401) has a one-hour cycle.  Under Phase 1, seven of them (401, 403, 404, 406, 408, 410, and 411) would have one-hour cycles – not counting the 405 night route.
Key routes. 30 min headways, 401, 407 (part Mall to Owen Brown ), 501 (Mall to Snowden Square),  combination of 410/505 to Long Reach

9. Plan Response Example - 405
Mall to Walmart: 35 mins versus 1 hour today
Expanded weekend hours
Bi-directional service (versus current one-way loop; simpler, saves time)
403 picks up rest of service, including new courthouse
Half hour headways on key routes - 6 am to 6 pm M-F, 8 am to 6 pm Sat.
Increased weekend service: highlights longer spans Sat 6 – 11 vs 8-10 current, Key routes: half hour headways 8-6; most routes hourly service Sat 6-11, versus 2 hours today; Sunday longer span 8 – 8 , hourly vs 2 hour,
Almost no loss in service: Robinson Center becomes weekend only on demand service, versus current 5 day fixed schedule (would need another bus to serve); one stop on 408 (Millrace Ct.) would lose service depending on resolution of 410; Tamar at Carriage House loses stop (no service on this part of Tamar). Nearest stop Tamar at Md 175.
More half hour headways: full 407, full 501, full 505, 404
Annual operating cost increase – $3.6 over today.
Further weekend service increase: All operating routes will operate hourly
Needs 12 more buses 8 plus 4 expansion
Annual operating cost increase – approx. $2.3 million (minimal ADA increase – needs KFH to quantify
12 buses = $5m
Existing Service
Proposed Service

10. Plan Response Example - 403
New 403 picks up rest of service, including service to new courthouse on Bendix Road off Route 108 (mid-2021)
New 403 would be a 50 minute circuit
Half hour headways on key routes - 6 am to 6 pm M-F, 8 am to 6 pm Sat.
Increased weekend service: highlights longer spans Sat 6 – 11 vs 8-10 current, Key routes: half hour headways 8-6; most routes hourly service Sat 6-11, versus 2 hours today; Sunday longer span 8 – 8 , hourly vs 2 hour,
Almost no loss in service: Robinson Center becomes weekend only on demand service, versus current 5 day fixed schedule (would need another bus to serve); one stop on 408 (Millrace Ct.) would lose service depending on resolution of 410; Tamar at Carriage House loses stop (no service on this part of Tamar). Nearest stop Tamar at Md 175.
More half hour headways: full 407, full 501, full 505, 404
Annual operating cost increase – $3.6 over today.
Further weekend service increase: All operating routes will operate hourly
Needs 12 more buses 8 plus 4 expansion
Annual operating cost increase – approx. $2.3 million (minimal ADA increase – needs KFH to quantify
12 buses = $5m
Proposed Service

11. Plan Response Example - 201 Extends service to Freetown Walmart.
Discontinued service to ITT.
Maintains connections at Cromwell Light Rail Station (LRS)
Ride time between Arundel Mills Mall and Freetown Village will be 40 minutes.
Half hour headways on key routes - 6 am to 6 pm M-F, 8 am to 6 pm Sat.
Increased weekend service: highlights longer spans Sat 6 – 11 vs 8-10 current, Key routes: half hour headways 8-6; most routes hourly service Sat 6-11, versus 2 hours today; Sunday longer span 8 – 8 , hourly vs 2 hour,
Almost no loss in service: Robinson Center becomes weekend only on demand service, versus current 5 day fixed schedule (would need another bus to serve); one stop on 408 (Millrace Ct.) would lose service depending on resolution of 410; Tamar at Carriage House loses stop (no service on this part of Tamar). Nearest stop Tamar at Md 175.
More half hour headways: full 407, full 501, full 505, 404
Annual operating cost increase – $3.6 over today.
Further weekend service increase: All operating routes will operate hourly
Needs 12 more buses 8 plus 4 expansion
Annual operating cost increase – approx. $2.3 million (minimal ADA increase – needs KFH to quantify
12 buses = $5m
Existing Service
Proposed Service

12. Plan Response Example - 202 Route extends to Coca Cola facility.
Ride time between Odenton MARC Station to Coca Cola facility will be approximately 50 minutes.
Connect to Route 201 at Arundel Mills Mall.
Half hour headways on key routes - 6 am to 6 pm M-F, 8 am to 6 pm Sat.
Increased weekend service: highlights longer spans Sat 6 – 11 vs 8-10 current, Key routes: half hour headways 8-6; most routes hourly service Sat 6-11, versus 2 hours today; Sunday longer span 8 – 8 , hourly vs 2 hour,
Almost no loss in service: Robinson Center becomes weekend only on demand service, versus current 5 day fixed schedule (would need another bus to serve); one stop on 408 (Millrace Ct.) would lose service depending on resolution of 410; Tamar at Carriage House loses stop (no service on this part of Tamar). Nearest stop Tamar at Md 175.
More half hour headways: full 407, full 501, full 505, 404
Annual operating cost increase – $3.6 over today.
Further weekend service increase: All operating routes will operate hourly
Needs 12 more buses 8 plus 4 expansion
Annual operating cost increase – approx. $2.3 million (minimal ADA increase – needs KFH to quantify
12 buses = $5m
Existing Service
Proposed Service

13. Plan Response Example - 301
Service extended to West Laurel, Konterra, Maryland City and Russett.
RTA service to South Laurel discontinued (WMATA 87, 89M, and Z7 remain).
Ride time between West Laurel and Walmart will be approximately 30 minutes
Half hour headways on key routes - 6 am to 6 pm M-F, 8 am to 6 pm Sat.
Increased weekend service: highlights longer spans Sat 6 – 11 vs 8-10 current, Key routes: half hour headways 8-6; most routes hourly service Sat 6-11, versus 2 hours today; Sunday longer span 8 – 8 , hourly vs 2 hour,
Almost no loss in service: Robinson Center becomes weekend only on demand service, versus current 5 day fixed schedule (would need another bus to serve); one stop on 408 (Millrace Ct.) would lose service depending on resolution of 410; Tamar at Carriage House loses stop (no service on this part of Tamar). Nearest stop Tamar at Md 175.
More half hour headways: full 407, full 501, full 505, 404
Annual operating cost increase – $3.6 over today.
Further weekend service increase: All operating routes will operate hourly
Needs 12 more buses 8 plus 4 expansion
Annual operating cost increase – approx. $2.3 million (minimal ADA increase – needs KFH to quantify
12 buses = $5m
Existing Service
Proposed Service

14. Expanded Coverage Howard County Maple Lawn Clarksville Turf Valley
Elkridge connection
Catonsville connection
Half hour headways on key routes - 6 am to 6 pm M-F, 8 am to 6 pm Sat.
Increased weekend service: highlights longer spans Sat 6 – 11 vs 8-10 current, Key routes: half hour headways 8-6; most routes hourly service Sat 6-11, versus 2 hours today; Sunday longer span 8 – 8 , hourly vs 2 hour,
Almost no loss in service: Robinson Center becomes weekend only on demand service, versus current 5 day fixed schedule (would need another bus to serve); one stop on 408 (Millrace Ct.) would lose service depending on resolution of 410; Tamar at Carriage House loses stop (no service on this part of Tamar). Nearest stop Tamar at Md 175.
More half hour headways: full 407, full 501, full 505, 404
Annual operating cost increase – $3.6 over today.
Further weekend service increase: All operating routes will operate hourly
Needs 12 more buses 8 plus 4 expansion
Annual operating cost increase – approx. $2.3 million (minimal ADA increase – needs KFH to quantify
12 buses = $5m

15. Expanded Coverage Anne Arundel Co. Flexible Routes: Routes:
Patapsco LRS to Cromwell via MVA
Patapsco Plaza to Glen Burnie District Court
Riviera Beach to UM B-W Medical Center
South Glen Burnie
Crofton
Routes:
Annapolis to BWI/Arundel Mills
Bowie to Cromwell LRS
AACC to Fort Meade/NSA
Crofton to Annapolis Mall
Howard
Anne
Arundel
Half hour headways on key routes - 6 am to 6 pm M-F, 8 am to 6 pm Sat.
Increased weekend service: highlights longer spans Sat 6 – 11 vs 8-10 current, Key routes: half hour headways 8-6; most routes hourly service Sat 6-11, versus 2 hours today; Sunday longer span 8 – 8 , hourly vs 2 hour,
Almost no loss in service: Robinson Center becomes weekend only on demand service, versus current 5 day fixed schedule (would need another bus to serve); one stop on 408 (Millrace Ct.) would lose service depending on resolution of 410; Tamar at Carriage House loses stop (no service on this part of Tamar). Nearest stop Tamar at Md 175.
More half hour headways: full 407, full 501, full 505, 404
Annual operating cost increase – $3.6 over today.
Further weekend service increase: All operating routes will operate hourly
Needs 12 more buses 8 plus 4 expansion
Annual operating cost increase – approx. $2.3 million (minimal ADA increase – needs KFH to quantify
12 buses = $5m
Prince
George’s

16. Coverage Prince George’s Co. Routes: 301 Konterra to Maryland City
Howard
Routes:
301 Konterra to Maryland City
302 Towne Center Laurel to College Park Metro Station
502 Laurel to BWI
503 Laurel to Columbia
Laurel
Anne
Arundel
Prince George’s
Half hour headways on key routes - 6 am to 6 pm M-F, 8 am to 6 pm Sat.
Increased weekend service: highlights longer spans Sat 6 – 11 vs 8-10 current, Key routes: half hour headways 8-6; most routes hourly service Sat 6-11, versus 2 hours today; Sunday longer span 8 – 8 , hourly vs 2 hour,
Almost no loss in service: Robinson Center becomes weekend only on demand service, versus current 5 day fixed schedule (would need another bus to serve); one stop on 408 (Millrace Ct.) would lose service depending on resolution of 410; Tamar at Carriage House loses stop (no service on this part of Tamar). Nearest stop Tamar at Md 175.
More half hour headways: full 407, full 501, full 505, 404
Annual operating cost increase – $3.6 over today.
Further weekend service increase: All operating routes will operate hourly
Needs 12 more buses 8 plus 4 expansion
Annual operating cost increase – approx. $2.3 million (minimal ADA increase – needs KFH to quantify
12 buses = $5m

17. N e w V e h i c l e s 12 small buses in late Summer 2017
7 large buses in late 2017
Purchase new replacement buses every year until all over-age buses have been replaced—Fiscal Year 2021
Implement plan to replace vehicles when they have reached the end of their service life.
Purchase vehicles for service expansions to coincide with the implementation of service.
New fare collection system to support regional transfers
Span of service:
6:00am-11:00pm on weekdays
8:00am-10:00pm on Saturday
10:00am-6:00pm on Sunday
Some routes run earlier or later than these hours; not all routes run every day.

18. P a r a t r a n s i t O p t i o n s
Incentivize paratransit riders to use fixed route service
Free fixed route fares to seniors?
Better fixed routes
Better bus stop facilities
Flexible first-mile/last-mile local services
Increase fares in Howard, implement a fare in Anne Arundel
Raise “senior” age (from 60 to 65 in Howard, from 55 in Anne Arundel)
Rider education, trip training – how to use the system
Service adjustments
Number of Trips – e.g., limit number of individual trips per month (currently one round-trip per day)
Redirect some trip types if fixed route is available
Origins and destinations, e.g., limit service in western Howard County, southern Anne Arundel
Hours: change hours of service
Use taxi vouchers/ subsidies in lieu of providing RTA trips
Reduce /eliminate/restructure current $320,000 annual subsidy to Howard County human service providers. (study underway)
Improve service productivity (RTA operation)
Span of service:
6:00am-11:00pm on weekdays
8:00am-10:00pm on Saturday
10:00am-6:00pm on Sunday
Some routes run earlier or later than these hours; not all routes run every day.

19. Please visit our stations for more info & to provide additional input:
Station 1 – Proposed changes for Route 200 series.
Station 2 – Proposed changes for Route 300 series.
Station 3 – Proposed changes for 400 series.
Station 4 – Proposed changes for 500 series.
Station 5 – Options for paratransit services.
Thank you very much for attending today! For updates on the TDP progress, please check the project website or leave your contact information with one of the staff today.

20. Y o u r I n p u t
Visit project website: tml
Public meetings in August 2017 & September 2017
Fill out comment card or input
Contact project managers at
Fred Fravel:
Jason Quan:
-5 public meetings will be held in October throughout the region. This first round of meetings focuses on collecting your input on transit needs and service issues. This input will be used to develop service alternatives. The second round of public meetings is planned for February 2017, where we’ll get your input on the service options before developing the implementation plan.
-We will also be conducting interviews with community stakeholders over the next few weeks. These stakeholders represent a variety of community groups, populations, and interests including human service agencies, businesses & workforce development, schools & colleges, transit advocates, rider groups, and elected officials.
-Starting this month, a community survey for the general public will be available online on the project website, and hard copies will be available at select community locations including libraries and senior centers. RTA will also be distributing a rider survey on the bus in the next few weeks to collect input from current riders.
-The project partners have hired KFH Group to help develop the TDP, and you may call or the project managers with your comments.
-Last but not least, we invite you to draw your route ideas and leave your comments on our interactive wikimap. Clive do DEMO.
-All the input we collect will go toward developing and prioritizing the service alternatives.