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In This Issue
$225 Million for Transit. What Do You Think?
Transit Oriented Development Summit
Report Outlines Benefits of Changing Federal Funding for Transit
Free Downtown Circulator Needs a New Name
In the News
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Issue: #8 January 2009
Thank you for your interest in On Transit - a periodic e-newsletter from the Baltimore Metropolitan Council for the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board that provides subscribers with updates of important transit information from around the region, state, and nation.
$225 MILLION FOR TRANSIT.  WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Public meetings today; Comments due next week.
Transportation Outlook 2035After several months of public outreach and involvement, the BRTB has released for public review and comment, the draft preferred alternative for the amendment to the Baltimore region's long-range transportation plan, Transportation Outlook 2035.
This draft preferred alternative proposes $225 million in funding for regional transit projects, beginning in 2020, including:
  • Green Line Transit
  • Park-and-Ride spaces
  • Carroll County Transit
  • Intermodal Facilities / MARC stations / Transit Oriented Development (TOD)
  • Dedicated bus lanes
In response to public comment, the projects included in this amendment focus on ways to make the regional transit system more user-friendly and attractive to a broader segment of the region's population and workforce.
A public input period will run through Friday, January 23, 2009. During this time, public comments will be accepted by mail, fax, or online using our public comment form.
Comments may also be submitted in person at a public meeting on Thursday, January 15, 2009 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. or 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the BMC offices located at 2700 Lighthouse Point East, Suite 310, Baltimore, MD 21224.
TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT
Summit will explore Central Maryland's opportunities and challenges for Transit Oriented Development
Transit Oriented Development Summit II - January 27, 2009On Tuesday, January 27, 2009 from 7 to 9 p.m. several area organizations will host a 2nd Transit Oriented Development Summit at the Thumel Business Center Auditorium (11 W. Mount Royal Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21201).  

Topics to be discussed include Central Maryland's opportunities and challenges for TOD, new initiatives and advances in local TOD planning, and an emerging national agenda to promote smart investment in infrastructure and innovation.

The event is free and open to the public and is accessible by MTA Bus Lines 3, 11, 21, 61, 64, Light Rail and MARC Train.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Brian O'Malley at bomalley@cmtalliance.org or 410-332-4172 ext. 122.
REPORT OUTLINES BENEFITS OF CHANGING FEDERAL FUNDING FOR TRANSIT AND OTHER ALTERNATIVES
Public support for increasing transit funding
 
Active Transportation for America: A Case for Increased Federal Investment in Bicycling and Walking Even before gas prices spiked high above $4 per gallon last year, a December 2007 Harris Interactive poll found that 81 percent of Americans would significantly change federal transportation funding allocations in the 2009 replacement bill. 

Specifically, those surveyed would increase funding for transit from 20 to 41 percent.  Funding for roads was decreased from 79 to 37 percent, while support for biking and walking was demonstrated with a significant increase from 1 to 22 percent. 
 
This and other key data was then used by the national Rails-to-Trails Conservancy to quantify the national benefits of increased federal funding for transit, bicycling and walking infrastructure.   These results and more can be found in the Active Transportation for America: The Case for Increased Federal Investment in Bicycling and Walking report, released in October.
FREE DOWNTOWN CIRCULATOR NEEDS A NAME
Contest Runs Through February 6   
 
Your Name. Your Ride. Fast, Friendly, and FREE!The City of Baltimore recently announced a month-long contest for the public to name the City's new free Downtown shuttle bus system that will begin in the summer of 2009.

Plans call for 18, clean-energy buses operating on three routes in-and-around Downtown Baltimore. The City Department of Transportation will create transit priority mechanisms in the system's service area to maintain a 10 minute wait. If successful, routes could be expanded, or additional routes could be added, to better connect the Downtown Shuttle Bus to additional residential neighborhoods.

From now through February 6 you can submit your ideas online, cast your vote at entry boxes placed throughout Downtown Baltimore, including Live Baltimore on 343 N. Charles Street, fax a ballot to 410-547-1036, or mail your ballot to "Your Name. Your Ride." 417 E. Fayette St. Room 623, Baltimore, MD 21202.
IN THE NEWS
Recent articles of interest
 
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Tyson Byrne

Baltimore Metropolitan Council | 2700 Lighthouse Point East, Suite 310 | Baltimore | MD | 21224