Transportation

The Office of Transportation takes lead in the design and planning stages of bicycle and pedestrian planning projects in the county.

The Multimodal Transportation Board (MTB) advises the County Executive and County Administration on transportation matters, particularly involving the County’s local bus system contractor, the Regional Transportation Agency, and other multimodal issues and initiatives. The Multimodal Transportation Board holds meetings on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. The Webex meetings are open to the public, but registration is required.

Multimodal Transportation Board (MTB) Webpage

The Bicycle Advisory Group (BAG) advises the County Executive and County Administration on matters of bicycle transportation, particularly the implementation of the Bicycle Master Plan. The BAG meets at least quarterly. Meetings take place in the Columbia/Ellicott Room at the George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive in Ellicott City. Meetings are held virtually on the Webex platform during the pandemic. 

Bicycle Advisory Group (BAG) Webpage

The Transit and Pedestrian Advisory Group (TPAG) advised the County Executive and County Administration on matters of public transit and pedestrian transportation. Having ended on April 5, 2021 its duties and responsibilities were reassigned to the Multimodal Transportation Board.

Transit and Pedestrian Advisory Group (TPAG) Webpage

The Central Maryland Transportation & Mobility Commission (CMTMC) represents Howard County, Anne Arundel County, Prince George's County and the City of Laurel. From each of these jurisdictions, two representatives sit on the CMTMC. The group is responsible for promoting the parties' interests and providing guidance for the transit services operated by the RTA.

Central Maryland Transportation & Mobility Commission (CMTMC) Webpage

Howard County has adopted a Complete Streets Policy and is developing a Complete Streets Design Manual to be completed by October 2021. These initiatives were recommended in both the Howard County General Plan (PlanHoward) and the Howard County Bicycle Master Plan (BikeHoward), and were required by the adoption of Howard Council Resolution 35-2016.

Transportation Demand Management is moving people, not vehicles, and creating a more efficient use of our roadways. It's providing and encouraging Transportation Options for those who want them such as biking, walking, taking the bus or train, commuting at non-peak hours/days or even the commute you don't make: working from home. Go Howard is the Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program of Howard County, Maryland, funded by the Maryland Department of Transportation -- Maryland Transit Administration and the Howard County Office of Transportation.

The Office of Transportation manages and oversees the contract under which the Regional Transportation Agency (RTA) provides fixed route bus and paratransit services in Howard County, Anne Arundel County, Prince George’s County and the City of Laurel. Funding is shared by the partner jurisdictions with support from federal and state sources to offset the gap between farebox and other revenues and capital and operating costs. The RTA runs fixed route transit, provides complementary paratransit service to people with disabilities, and general-purpose paratransit service for both elderly people and people with disabilities. RTA also operates the Old Ellicott City shuttle.

The Howard County Transit Development Plan (TDP) is a short-term (typically a five-year period) plan to guide transit system development. The TDP provides a vision of the future public transportation system.

The Office of Transportation coordinates closely with the Department of Planning and Zoning, the Department of Public Works, and state agencies to develop transportation plans and projects for all modes.

Our third annual Transportation Open House was be held on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 from 4:30-7:30PM at the Miller Branch of the Howard County Library System. This expanded event replaces our Active Transportation and Transportation Priorities Open Houses and includes the additional topics areas of transportation safety, transit and regional planning, and roadway maintenance and operations. The Open House also provides the public the opportunity to comment on the County's overall transportation priorities, approaches to solving common transportation challenges, and specific projects.