Public Meetings: Central Maryland Transit Development Plan
Planning the Future of Transit in Our Region
- Realign routes to meet current needs and changing land uses
- Reduce ride times for riders
- Increase frequencies on many routes
- Improve connections to jobs and vital services
- Add more service on the weekends
Public Meetings
Laurel: August 21 at the North Laurel Community Center
Columbia: September 13 at the Non-Profit Center of Howard County
Ellicott City: September 18 at the George Howard Building
Hanover (Anne Arundel County): September 12 at Anne Arundel Community College at Arundel Mills Mall
Howard County Introduces New Electric Buses
The county has introduced three new electric buses to the RTA fleet. The project, funded through a Federal Transit Administration Transit Investments for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction program grant, was developed in partnership with the RTA, the Maryland Transit Administration, and the Center for Transportation and the Environment.
For more information, please visit the bus website: http://transitrta.com/electric
The Office of Transportation’s primary focus is to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of public transportation services, walking, and bicycling in and around Howard County and ensure that connectivity is front and center in land use planning and site development.
The Office oversees the followings programs:
- Public Transportation
- Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning (Bike Howard and WalkHoward)
- Howard Commuter Solutions
- Transportation Plans and Projects
- Howard County Public Transportation Board
- Complete Streets Policy Implementation
The Office of Transportation coordinates closely with the Department of Planning and Zoning and the Department of Public Works on a number of transportation planning and construction projects.
Howard County provides fixed-route and paratransit services through the Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland (RTA). The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) provides commuter bus and train services to Baltimore and Washington D.C.
The web site that includes information on all the Howard County public transit programs and the supplemental services that are available is also coordinated by the RTA and can be accessed at www.transitRTA.com
The Howard County Office of Transportation provides ride matching assistance to commuters, route planning guidance to transit riders, and serves as a clearinghouse for rideshare and vanpool information. For additional information, please call 410-313-3130
The Public Transportation Board advises the County Executive and County Administration on transportation matters, particularly involving the Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland.
The Office of Transportation supports supplemental services to non profit organizations that provide transportation services to the elderly and disabled.
Howard County is developing a Complete Streets Policy and creating a Complete Streets and Bridges Design Manual. This initiative was recommended in both the Howard County General Plan (PlanHoward) and the Howard County Bicycle Master Plan (BikeHoward).
Howard County has completed the Fiscal Year 2018 Priority Letter, which lists the County’s prioritized transportation projects for the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT)'s FY 2018-2023 Consolidated Transportation Program. The projects in the letter were the result of review and input by the public, Howard County staff from several departments, as well as elected and appointed officials.