Public Transit in Howard County
Howard County is served primarily by the Regional Transportation Agency (RTA) with limited service by the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA).
Projects in Development
Howard County is currently working with Montgomery County to implement an extension of the Flash Bus Rapid Transit service in Howard County in 2026. Click the link below to view the project page for more information.
Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland (RTA)
The RTA, managed by Transdev and overseen by the Howard County Office of Transportation, provides 15 local fixed bus routes in Howard County, Anne Arundel County, Prince George’s County and the City of Laurel.
RTA Mobility is a curb-to-curb, shared ride transportation service for passengers who are unable to ride RTA fixed route transit system due to a disability or age. “Shared ride” means multiple passengers riding together in the same vehicle at the same time. RTA Mobility provides two (2) types of service: complementary American with Disability Act (ADA) and General Paratransit (GPT) throughout the Central Maryland Regional Transit zones: Howard County, Anne Arundel County, City of Laurel, and Northern Prince George’s County
The Old Ellicott City Trolley is a free service operated by the RTA that operates Saturday and Sunday along Main Street, stretching from Parking Lot F located off Ellicott Mills Drive to Parking Lot A off Oella Avenue across the Patapsco River. The trolley will operate on Saturdays and Sundays, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and will arrive at its designated trolley stops every 10 to 15 minutes. On weekends when special events or significant activities are happening in town, the OEC Trolley route will be extended up to the historic Circuit Courthouse parking lot at 8360 Court Avenue, to better connect residents and visitors with Main Street. The OEC Trolley is launched in partnership with the County’s Office of Transportation, the RTA, and the Ellicott City Partnership.
Other Local Service Providers
HoCo RapidRide is an innovative technology-enabled public transit service that allows riders within the service zone to book a low-cost ride through its app, HoCo RapidRide.
The MTA provides local and Commuter bus service, and MARC train service throughout the Baltimore Metropolitan area. Please note links are maintained by the MTA, not the Office of Transportation.
Visit WMATA for information about getting to, from, and around the District, including on the Metro.
Though not affiliated with Howard County Government or the Office of Transportation, there are other local agencies that provide transportation services, including NeighborRide, Humanim, and the ARC of Howard County
Shared micromobility options, like bikeshare and shared electric scooters, can be a beneficial component of "last-mile" trips for transit riders. Howard County continues to explore what micromobility options work best for residents and visitors.
Howard County's bikeshare system ended operations in February 2022.
In 2023 and 2024, no vendors applied for a permit to operate shared electric scooters in Howard County. If a permit is granted to any scooter sharing vendor, that vendor's contact information will be posted on the program webpage.
Boards and Commissions
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.