Baltimore Transit Riders Need…
Reliability
MTA must keep scheduled trip cancellations under 10% every day, and all trips must be trackable in the real time apps riders use. Other transit agencies in the mid-Atlantic and northeast are doing a much better job in this regard. MTA must also ensure at least 90% of scheduled trips are on time every day, and this metric must include all canceled trips. Since MTA does not currently factor no-show buses into its on-time performance data, this results in a misleading picture of actual on-time performance. It also doesn’t account for the downstream effects of late and no-show buses and trains – especially when passengers miss connections or have to ride in overcrowded and unsafe conditions.
Frequency
DC Metro Frequencies on a Recent Saturday
MTA must provide 10 to 15-minute weekday bus and light rail service, along with 20 to 30-minute evening and weekend service as soon as possible. This level of frequency is identified in the National Association of City Transportation Officials’ Transit Street Design Guide and informs schedules for other urban transit systems in the United States.
To support the needed service improvements, we ask that Governor Moore include and the General Assembly approve targeted funding for MTA to achieve these frequency levels.
Accountability
Finally, we ask that an independent third party perform a full assessment of MTA’s operations, communications, structure and culture – then implement the assessment’s recommendations over the next 12 months. We believe there are systemic issues at MTA that transcend current funding levels which impact the way the agency carries out its work and prevents it from providing the service needed by current and prospective riders. As a public agency providing an essential public service, MTA must have a culture of accountability.