MTA on Public Transit
(Note: This is in response to my previous Email.)

Dear Mr. Garske:

I was sent a copy of your email to Marc Steiner, as I am with the
Maryland Transit Administration (MTA). The MTA operates the buses in
the Greater Baltimore area, commuter buses to and from Baltimore and
Washington, commuter trains connecting 8 Maryland counties with
Baltimore and Washington, the Light Rail and Metro Subway, as well as a
paratransit service for persons with disabilities.

The present Administration, while not raising taxes, is providing the
necessary funding to stabilize and improve the existing transit
structure in the State. For example:
The Metro: all cars are completing a mid-life overhaul, and tracks and
tunnels are receiving the attention necessary to maintain their safety &
efficiency.
The Light Rail is completing the double tracking project and adjacent
station improvements to make the line more efficient.
The MARC Train Service recently added bi-level cars (purchased from
Chicago) to improve capacity issues.
The Commuter Bus division has purchased newer, lift-equipped coaches to
lease to our subcontractors.
The paratransit service is in the process of adding up to 100 new
vehicles that will more efficiently transport those persons who qualify
for this service.
The bus division is adding up to 230 new coaches starting this winter,
which will make the fleet 100% accessible and reduce the age of the
fleet. We will retro-fit the older buses with new destination signs.

These and several other initiatives have been funded through directives
from the current State Administration. Secretary of Transportation
Flanagan has been very hands-on in promoting an improved MTA.

This fall, it will be announced that public forums will be held to take
transit the next step, by planning the Red and Green line portions of
the Baltimore Regional Transit Plan. The first set of meetings will be
held with communities in the Social Security to Patterson Park corridor
to begin the planning process of the next phase of the Transit Plan.

To improve the existing bus system, the MTA is concluding a Bus
Efficiency Study as part of a Scheduling Efficiency Review.
Essentially, this looks at every bus line, every bus stop along the line
and the actual running time of the bus. Next year we will begin to
adjust bus routes, running times and bus stops to become more efficient.
If we can be more efficient with the system we have, ridership will
grow and we will be able to expand. First, we are aware that we need to
schedule the buses correctly and put them on the streets as they are
scheduled.

I thank you for your comments, and hope you will begin to see an
improved MTA with the beginning of 2005.