Baltimore City Transit Development Plan
For a mobile-friendly version of this StoryMap, click here:
For Spanish version, click here:
Introduction
The Baltimore City Transit Development Plan
The Baltimore City Transit Development Plan (TDP) is a planning process that will develop a five-year transit investment strategy for the Charm City Circulator bus service. The Plan will identify opportunities where the Charm City Circulator service can improve efficiency and equity. This TDP includes analyses of unmet needs, potential route changes to address those needs, and short- and long-term operating plans for the service.
Goals of a TDP
Study Area
The Study Area includes a 2.5 mile radius from the intersection of Pratt and Light streets.
This is the optimal service distance when accounting for the Charm City Circulator fleet as well as travel time and program operating budget.
What We Heard
In February 2021 Mayor Scott released his Transition Report. One of the first transportation and infrastructure recommendations was:
"Reroute the Charm City Circulator to address MTA service gaps to core employment centers, instead of duplicating service along current MTA routes.”
Nearly 43% of the Charm City Circulator Community Survey respondents said they depend on the services when traveling between their homes and their jobs.
The TDP is being formulated to strengthen connections between communities, jobs and services.
Equity and Demographics
Households with No or Low Car Ownership
Understanding rates of vehicle ownership within the city is a key equity indicator when determining new route structures. Within the study area, current rates of households without a vehicle range from <10% in some South Baltimore areas to 81% in some areas of East Baltimore.
Poverty
Poverty rates correspond closely with equity indicators like low-vehicle ownership, as many of the areas with low-vehicle ownership also have some of the highest rates of poverty.
Improving access to transit in these high poverty and low vehicle ownership areas would help expand access to new employment centers and other resources for riders.
Equity Scores
The Baltimore City Department of Transportation's (BCDOT) equity scoring data identifies 10 key indicators of communities that have been historically disadvantaged. The 10 key indicators are:
- Black or African-American populations
- Hispanic and Latino populations
- populations living in poverty
- unemployment
- no vehicle households
- median age of the population
- median household income
- public transit commuters
- education attainment
- disabled populations
Each indicator’s value was determined based on the percentage of that population in each census block group. The score is based on a weighted value assigned to each indicator. Summing the 10 key indicators created The Baltimore Equity Composite Index Score. The higher the score, the higher the transportation need in that block group.
BCDOT has also identified Targeted Equity Zones with concentrated high transportation need, including three neighborhoods within the Circulator Service Area.
Map Navigation
Explore the following maps by using these navigation features:
Map Navigation Functions:
- Pan: Place mouse pointer on the map, left-click and hold while dragging your mouse. Release the button to deactivate the pan function.
- Zoom: Left-click the + to zoom in or - to zoom out
- Home: Left-click the home icon to return to the original map extent.
Swipe Maps:
- Left-click and hold the swipe icon, then drag your mouse from left to right to compare maps.
Charm City Circulator Optimization Proposal
Optimization Proposal
The Transit Development Plan is proposing improvements to current routes as well as operations improvements of the Charm City Circulator to expand transit access for key equity zones within the city and improve access of transit to job centers not currently served. These proposals include:
- Extending the service’s weekday hours so that buses start running at 6 a.m. instead of the current start time of 7 a.m.
- Adjusting weekend hours from 9 a.m.-9 p.m., rather than the current 9 a.m.-midnight period on Saturdays and 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Sundays.
Use the swipe bar to compare the current routes (solid) and proposed new routes (dashed).
Green Route
Current Service Fast Facts:
- 225 daily riders (April 2022)
- 7.3-mile length
Major origins/destinations served:
- Johns Hopkins Hospital
- Harbor Point
- Downtown Central Business District
- Fallsway parking lots
Major transfers to other transit:
- Johns Hopkins Metro SubwayLink Station
- Shot Tower Metro SubwayLink Station
Changes to the Green Route:
- Direct connection between the Downtown Central Business District and Johns Hopkins Hospital complex along Orleans Street. Orleans Street is not currently served by the MDOT MTA BaltimoreLink Service
- Extended bus service from Johns Hopkins Hospital up Broadway to North Avenue
- The connection to Harbor Point would be shifted to the Orange Route
Key Destination Points and Transit Connections:
- Fallsway parking lots
- Johns Hopkins Metro SubwayLink station
- Shot Tower Metro SubwayLink station
- Old Town redevelopment
- North Avenue for East/West corridor destinations
Orange Route
Current Service Fast Facts:
- 1,089 daily riders (April 2022)
- 5.4-mile length
Major origins/destinations served:
- University of Maryland
- Inner Harbor
- Downtown Central Business District
Major transfers to other transit:
- Light RailLink
- Purple Route
- Green Route
- Banner Route
Changes to the Orange Route:
- Add stops near Lexington Market, Perkins Homes, and Poe Homes
- Add an extension to Harbor Point
Key Destination Points and Transit Connections:
- Hollins Market
- Lexington Market
- Poe Homes
- Perkins Homes
- Harbor East
- Light RailLink
- Purple Route
- Green Route
Purple Route
Current Service Fast Facts:
- 1,566 daily riders (April 2022)
- 8.2-mile length
Major origins/destinations served:
- Johns Hopkins Homewood campus
- Union Memorial Hospital
- Mercy Hospital
- Inner Harbor
- Downtown Central Business District
Major transfers to other transit:
- Green Route
- Banner Route
- Penn Station
- Visitors Center
Changes to the Purple Route:
- Expand service to 33rd Street and Greenmount Avenue
- Service would extend as far south as the Maryland Science Center, making way for the new proposed "Cherry" Route (detailed below) to provide service to South Baltimore
Key Destination Points and Transit Connections
- Giant Food Store
- Union Memorial Hospital
- Johns Hopkins Homewood Campus
- Mercy Hospital
- Inner Harbor
- Downtown
Banner Route
Current Service Fast Facts:
- 306 daily riders (April 2022)
- 5.3-mile length
Major origins/destinations served:
- Ft. McHenry
- Inner Harbor
Major transfers to other transit:
- Purple Route
- Orange Route
- Harbor Connector 3 (Rusty Scupper)
Cherry Route
New Cherry Route Ideas
- Incorporates the Banner and Federal Hill stops of the Purple Route with a completely new route
- Intended to provide efficient connection to downtown for Federal Hill and Cherry Hill residents
- Cherry extends to Pratt St. and overlaps with the Purple Route at the Visitor's Center
Key Destination Points and Transit Connections:
- Cherry Hill Light RailLink
- Medstar Harbor Hospital
- Port Covington
- Southside Market Place
Integrating the Banner and a portion of the Purple Route into the Cherry Route will allow changes to operations including:
- Extending the Green Route from Johns Hopkins Hospital up to North Avenue
- Start service at 6 a.m. instead of current 7 a.m. to meet the needs of morning commuters
Cherry Route Equity Considerations
Provides a valuable transit connection for residents of Cherry Hill, a neighborhood where 54% of households do not own a vehicle and 19% of households live in poverty.
Cherry connections to:
- Middle Branch Park
- MedStar Harbor Hospital
- Port Covington
- Shopping at Southside Marketplace
- Downtown
Other transit services:
- Cherry Hill Light RailLink
- Purple Route
- LocalLink 71
- LocalLink 94
- CityLink Silver
Cherry Route and Locust Point Transit
Locust Point would continue to be served by multiple MDOT MTA Link lines, including #71 and #94 buses offering connectivity between the neighborhood, the Downtown Central Business District, and other parts of the city.
Long-Term Service (3 to 5 Years)
Possibilities for Long-Term Service:
Future service development plans are dependent on further study and seeking additional funding and grants. Options for service improvements over a 3 to 5 year period are currently under review and could include:
New Destinations:
- West Baltimore MARC station
- Pigtown
- Shops at Canton Crossing
New "Poe" Route:
- Extend service west to the West Baltimore MARC Station
- Service along W. Lexington St.
Orange Route:
- Optimized to extend from Pigtown to Harbor Point and on to Canton
What's Next
We Want Your Input!
Join us at our Public Meeting April 26th 6-8 p.m.
Share your comment during the public comment period:
- April 18 - May 13
- By email: StreetsofbaltimoreTDP@wrallp.com
- By Feedback Form
The draft Transit Development Plan will be complete by June 2022.
Expected implementation of service changes Spring/Summer 2024.The proposed CCC changes outlined in the Transit Development Plan are targeted to be implemented in Spring of 2024. The implementation phase of the TDP includes the planning and finalization of bus stop locations, the design and construction needed for the new bus stops, and the installation of improvements at current stops. This time frame also includes federal and city regulatory requirements regarding public outreach and notification about the planned transit changes.
Return to StreetsOfBaltimore
