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NEWS RELEASE

December 5, 2008

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Decision to Scale Back Rather Than Eliminate Service Will Benefit Commuters

Governor O’Malley, County Executive Ulman Work Together to Maintain Commuter Bus Service from Howard County

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Governor Martin O’Malley and Howard County Executive Ken Ulman today announced an agreement to preserve partial MTA commuter bus service operating between Howard County and downtown Baltimore.

“Working together with County Executive Ulman and the citizens of Howard County, we have been able to reach an agreement that not only ensures a regular transit option between Howard County and Baltimore City, but also addresses budget concerns,” said Governor O’Malley. “Based on the extreme hardship such a step would have on citizens, as well as the lack of viable transportation alternatives, MTA will maintain a reduced commuter bus schedule on these routes.”

Complete elimination of three commuter bus lines from the county had been proposed by MTA as part of an overall budget reduction plan due to declining revenues resulting from the recent national economic downturn. A key reason for the restoration of partial service is that the MTA proposal would have left Howard County commuters without a regular service transit option to Baltimore.

As of January 12, 2009, the MTA 310/311 lines operating between Columbia and Baltimore will offer six northbound and six southbound trips each day. That is down from the eight northbound and nine southbound trips offered today. The MTA 320 line operating between Laurel and Baltimore will offer three northbound and three southbound trips each day. That is down from five northbound and six southbound trips offered today. This reduction in service will result in an annual savings of $634,000. Under the terms of the agreement, Howard County agrees to contribute $200,000 representing approximately 25 percent of the partial restoration cost, and will re-evaluate this arrangement after a year.

To help reduce overcrowding on these lines and continue to offer some additional transit options, Governor O’Malley had directed the MTA to extend its 150 Express bus service between Baltimore and Ellicott City to Columbia Town Center, using existing resources. The 150 line provides six northbound and six southbound trips each weekday.

“I am pleased that we are able to partner with the state to restore a significant portion of these bus lines for Howard County residents,” said County Executive Ulman. “We are well aware of the tough fiscal decisions being made at both the state and local levels and we appreciate the Governor’s staff working with us to restore some of these routes. Today Governor O’Malley has practiced what he preaches, ‘Compromise in not a dirty word.’”

The reduced level of service, while not as convenient for customers as the current schedule, will preserve the important connection between rapidly growing Howard County and downtown Baltimore, including the John’s Hopkins Medical complex that has the highest concentration of employment in Baltimore City. This restructured commuter bus service is projected to carry roughly 1,900 riders each week.