MTA Maryland bus service

MTA Maryland Bus

top left: QuickBus, top right: Local, bottom left: Commuter, bottom right: Express
Slogan	'THINK GREEN. RIDE MTA'
Parent	Maryland Transit Administration
Founded	April 30, 1970
Headquarters	Baltimore, Maryland
Locale	Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area
Service area	Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area
Service type	Local, QuickBus, Shuttle Bug, Express, Commuter, ICC
Routes	Local: 46 QuickBus: 4 Shuttle Bug: 2 Express: 4 Commuter: 19 ICC: 5 Total: 80
Hubs	70+ (Baltimore area)
Fleet	Urban bus: 774 Motor coach bus: 68 Total: 842
Daily ridership	272,700 (Q2 2016)[1]
Annual ridership	81,029,100 (2015)[2]
Fuel type	Diesel, Diesel-electric Hybrid
Operator	MDOT
Website	www.mtamaryland.com

The Maryland Transit Administration provides the primary public bus service for the Baltimore Metropolitan Area and commuter bus service in other parts of the state of Maryland. There are currently 80 bus routes, which include 46 local routes, 2 neighborhood shuttle routes, 4 limited stop routes (known as QuickBus), 5 express bus routes (which operate from various suburbs to downtown Baltimore), 19 commuter bus routes, and 5 Intercounty Connector or "ICC" routes (which operate from various locations mainly in central Maryland to Washington D.C. or various Metrorail stations). The local and commuter bus routes operate in conjunction with one subway line, three light rail lines, MARC train service, and various connections to other transit agencies.^[3][4]

Operation

The MTA's bus service operates throughout the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area and other parts of the state. These include: Local routes 1 through 98; Neighborhood shuttle routes 97 and 98; QuickBus routes qb40, qb46, qb47, and qb48; Express routes102, 103, 104, 105, 106,107, 110,115, 119, 120, 150, and 160;^[3] Intercounty Connector routes 201 through 205; Commuter bus routes 310 through 995.^[4]

Local buses

Local bus lines are identified with a one- or two-digit number. Many of the numerical designations have origins dating back to the days of the Baltimore streetcars and share the route numbers of the respective streetcars that operated along the same streets.

Most local buses operate regular service seven days a week throughout most hours of the day and evening. Some routes operate 24 hours. A small number of routes operate without evening service, on weekdays only, during peak hours only, or only at the times needed for certain employers.^[5]

Until 2009, a series of routes operated in the northwest part of the city and suburbs known as Metro connection buses. These routes had designations of the letter M followed by a number, and operated from a Metro station to a specified location or between two Metro stations. When the Metro connection bus service began in 1984, it used designations beginning with the letter M (Mondawmin), R (Rogers Avenue), or P (Plaza), followed by a number. After the Metro was extended to Owings Mills in 1987, only the letter M was used, and it denoted "Metro."

Since 1988, the number of M-lines had declined, as many of them were consolidated, and some were completely eliminated. After the first phase of the Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative took effect in 2005, only seven M-lines remained, though this increased to eight after Route M-6 was restored months later.

Throughout 2008 and 2009, all M-lines were renamed to plain two-digit numerical designations, ranging from 52 to 54 and 56 to 60. During this series of revisions, route changes were also made to some of them, including merging some, splitting others, and completely eliminating part of Route M-17 without any replacement.^[6][7]

Express, Commuter, and Intercounty Connector buses

The MTA's express routes should not be confused with the "express" trips assigned to several of the local bus routes. Express routes are dedicated to providing rapid service by limiting the number of stops along the route. The number of express routes has declined over the past two decades as new rapid transit services have been constructed, and poor-performing routes were eliminated or consolidated.

Unlike the commuter buses, express bus routes serve areas where local buses are available. Comparable slower trips can also be accomplished with local buses.^[8] Commuter routes, however, provide service between locations not connected by local bus routes.^[4]

Both the express and commuter routes, identified with 3-digit numbers, offer limited service mostly during weekday rush hour between downtown Baltimore or Washington and various Park-and-Ride lots or other suburban locations in the state of Maryland. The commuter routes, designated with higher numbers, are operated by contractors rather than MTA employees.^[4]

The newest addition to the commuter bus service since 2010. Known as Intercounty Connector or ICC for short, service operates from Gaithersburg to BWI Marshall Airport, University of Maryland College Park or DoD/Fort Meade, traveling along the newly built Intercounty Connector expressway in central Maryland.

Neighborhood Shuttle Bug

Two of the local routes MTA operates are considered neighborhood shuttles, also known as Shuttle Bugs. Theses local routes focus on a specific neighborhood and the transportation of persons within these communities.

During the early 2000s, MTA introduced two such routes. These routes, rather than operating like others around town, have differences that include:

• Reduced fare for a single ride: $1.00 rather than the $1.60 charged on regular buses. MTA unlimited ride passes (also known as "GO-passes") also cover the fare.^[9]
• In 2006, three shorter, distinctively painted buses, 30-foot Opus buses were purchased and are used exclusively by the Mondawmin shuttle.^[10] The Opus buses are the only non 40- and 60-foot buses in MTA's fleet; held at Northwest (4) garage. In mid-2011, MTA retired the three 30-foot Opus buses due to reliability issues.
• Schedules are printed in full color, rather than the monochrome design of most printed schedules, in order to attract more riders.
• Bus stop signs have unique identifications different from usual bus stops. The Hampden Shuttle is identified by a ladybug, and the Mondawmin Shuttle uses the grasshopper symbol.^[11]

The Hampden Shuttle Bug was the first of seven shuttle routes originally planned for Baltimore and its suburbs. Only the Hampden and Mondawmin routes were implemented; no timetable was ever set for other neighborhood shuttle routes.^[12]

A proposed Shuttle Bug route between Randallstown and the Owings Mills Metro Subway Station was fought by residents along the route the shuttle would take. Objections included that the service would operate on quiet residential streets not accustomed to bus traffic, and area residents did not need the service.^[13]

In 2005 and 2006, in various phases of the Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative, MTA proposed various changes to these routes which included routing changes and threats to eliminate Route 98 completely and reduce service on Route 97 to once an hour.^[14] The only change that was actually made was a shift on Route 98 in 2008 to replace service on Roland Avenue, that was lost through a change to Route 27.^[15]

QuickBus

In 2005, MTA introduced a new form of express transit, known as “rapid bus service.” The first of these services was designated Route 40. The line operates every 10–15 minutes from the western to the eastern suburbs of Baltimore through the downtown area, serving various communities in West and East Baltimore. Stops are limited to major intersections, transfer points, and points of interest. Unlike other express buses, local fares are applicable on Route 40. Route 40 was later named "QuickBus."^[16]

In 2009, a new "QuickBus" route was introduced. Designated as QuickBus 48, it operates along the same route as Route 8 minus the section north of Towson Town Center.^[6] Introduction of another QuickBus service that would operate along the route Route 3 and would have carry the designation "Route 43", but this proposal was delayed.^[17]

Two more QuickBus routes began service on August 30, 2010. QuickBus 46 operates alongside routes 5 and 10 from Paradise Avenue loop to Cedonia Loop. QuickBus 47 travel along the route 15 from Walbrook Junction to Overlea Loop. Both buses operate on weekdays at peak hours only.^[18]

Current bus routes

Fares

See: Current MTA Fares

Fleet roster

Current fleet roster

Image	Builder	Model	Length (ft/m)	Order Year	Fuel Propulsion	Powertrain (Engine/Transmission)	Fleet Series (Quantity)	Notes
	NABI	416.10	40 ft (12 m)	1998	Diesel	Cummins M-11E Allison B400R-6	9801-9865 (65)	retired series.
	NABI	416.10	40 ft (12 m)	1999	Diesel	Cummins M-11E Allison B400R-6	9901-9967 (67)	Last fleet ordered under the then named Mass Transit Administration Remainder of the fleet Retired as of September 1, 2016
	NABI	416.10	40 ft (12 m)	2000	Diesel	Cummins M-11E Caterpillar C9 Allison B400R-6	0001-0080 (80)	First fleet ordered under the new name Maryland Transit Administration #0032 used as a Caterpillar C9 engine test model #0074 retrofitted as American Seating demo Remainder of the fleet Retired as of September 1, 2016
	MCI	D4500	45 ft (14 m)	2002	Diesel	Detroit Diesel Series 60 Allison B500-6	119C-144C (26)	First motor coach buses in fleet Replaced 90-series Flxible Metro B "Suburban" (Commuter bus service) Used on Commuter bus service Operate under private contractors
	Neoplan USA	AN440LF	40 ft (12 m)	2002	Diesel	Detroit Diesel Series 50 Cummins ISL11.9 (ISL-9) Allison B400R-6	0200-0299 (100)	First Neoplan order since 1986 First low-floor buses in fleet More than half of the units have been retrofitted with Cummins ISL engines Headsigns currently being reset to "white" LED Chroma IV #0295 is a demo of the Neoplan mid-life overhaul
	NFI	D40LF	40 ft (12 m)	2004	Diesel	Cummins ISM Voith D864.3 Allison B400R-6 IV	04001-04125 (125)	#04008 retrofitted with an Allison B400R-6 IV transmission in 2010 as a test model
	NFI	D40LF	40 ft (12 m)	2005	Diesel	Cummins ISM Voith D864.3 Allison B400R-6 IV	05001-05094 (94)	#05007 retrofitted with White Twinvision Chroma IV head signs #05073 retired and scrapped; involved in a fire early 2013.
	NFI	DE40LFR[19]	40 ft (12 m)	2006	Hybrid	Cummins ISL GM Allison EP-40 HybriDrive	06001-06010 (10)	First hybrids in fleet Split order with WMATA Fleet wrapped in MTA advertisements
	NFI	DE60LFR[19]	60 ft (18 m)	2008	Hybrid	Cummins ISL Allison EP-50 HybriDrive	08001-08030 (30)	First articulated bus order since 1995 & 1996 Began service in 2009 Replaced 95- & 96-series NABI 436 in 2009 First bus order to feature the tip in passenger windows
	NFI	DE40LFR[19][20]	41 ft (12 m)	2009	Hybrid	Cummins ISL Allison EP-40 HybriDrive	09001-09100 (100)	Ordered under Barack Obama's Stimulus Package
	NFI	DE40LFR[21][22]	40 ft (12 m)	2010	Hybrid	Cummins ISL Allison EP-40 HybriDrive	10001-10041 (41)	New HVAC unit design mounted on roof of bus
	NFI	DE60LF[23][24]	60 ft (18 m)	2010*	Hybrid	Cummins ISL Allison EP-50 HybriDrive	11081-11092 (12)	Rejected order from Chicago Transit Authority in 2009 Each bus is the price of a 40-foot vehicle White Twinvision Chroma IV headsigns
	MCI	D4500CT[25]	45 ft (14 m)	2010	Diesel	Cummins ISX11.9 (ISX-12) Allison B500-6	145C-168C (24)	First MCI order since 2002 Used on Commuter bus service Operate under private contractors
	MCI	D4500CT	45 ft (14 m)	2011	Diesel	Cummins ISX11.9 (ISX-12) Allison B500-6	169C-188C (18)	Used on Commuter bus service Used on Inter-county Connector Operate under private contractors
	NFI	XDE40[26]	40 ft (12 m)	2011	Hybrid	Cummins ISL8.9 (ISL-9) Allison EP-40 HybriDrive	11001-11057 (57) [26]	Began service in December 2011. First buses in fleet to carry White Twinvision Chroma IV head signs. First buses in fleet with frameless windows. First NFI Xcelsior model buses in fleet.
	NFI	XDE40[27][28]	40 ft (12 m)	2012	Hybrid	Cummins ISL8.9 (ISL-9) Allison EP-40 HybriDrive	12001-12053 (53) [28]	First bus to begin revenue service in September 2012, process until February 2013. Introduction of extra foam cushion in passenger seating
	NFI	XDE60	60 ft (18 m)	2013	Hybrid	Cummins ISL8.9 (ISL-9) Allison EP-50 HybriDrive	12081-12090 (10)	Option order from 2011 contract #12081 [29] Featured in Motor Trend International Auto Show[30] Features rear-camera monitoring system for drivers to see what objects are behind the vehicle and in their blind-spots It's been said that the price tag for one XDE60 is $1 million.
	NFI	XDE40	40 ft (12 m)	2013	Hybrid	Cummins ISL8.9 (ISL-9) Allison EP-40 HybriDrive	13001-13040 (40)	13001 has been delivered and been seen in revenue service as of November 25, 2013. 13001-13040 were ordered with push-tape to request stops instead of the pull-cords that were standard with previous Xcelsiors. Surveillance systems on 13001-13040 records both video and audio.
						Cummins ISB6.7 BAE System 200 HybriDrive	13041-13050 (10)	Last ten buses of 2013 order is powered by BAE Systems HybriDrive. 13041-13050 also ordered with push-tape to request stops. 13041-13050 also ordered with the surveillance system that records both video and audio.
	NFI	XDE40[26]	40 ft (12 m)	2014	Hybrid	Cummins ISL8.9 (ISL-9) Allison EP-40 HybriDrive	14001-14041 (41) [26]	Begins service possibly in January 2015. First buses arrived in Baltimore 10-1-14. 14001-14041 switched back to the pull-cords to request stops after 13001-13050 had the push-tape to request stops.
	NFI	XD40[31]	40 ft (12 m)	2016-2017	Diesel	Cummins ISL 8.9 (ISL-9) Allison B300FXE	16001-16??? 17001-17??? (172) [32]	First all diesel order of transit buses since the 2005 order of NFI D40LFs. New Flyer was the lone bidder after the bid was delayed until October 2015. Currently being Delivered. Some of the 16000s have been seen in revenue service as of Friday, July 15, 2016. In the January 27, 2016 Maryland Board of Public Works meeting in which this bus order was approved, it's revealed in the agenda of this meeting on page 138 that 20 of the NFI XD40s will be delivered by the summer of 2016, 67 buses to be delivered by June 2017, and the remaining buses to be delivered by November 2017.[33] It's been said that the reason for the switch from hybrids to all-diesel buses is it's approximately a $200,000-$250,000 savings for a single diesel bus when compared to hybrids.

Notes

• The New Flyer DE60LFs were ordered by MTA on a rejection order from Chicago Transit Authority in 2009 and was purchased in 2010, but did not begin revenue service until August 2011.
• In May 2014, MTA released a bid solicitation, solicitation reference T-8000-0451 due on June 12, 2014 for 41 new hybrid transit buses. New Flyer won the contract for 41 XDE40s.
• In May 2015, MTA released a bid solicitation, solicitation reference OPS-15-008-EQ due on an unknown date for 87 new 40 foot diesel transit buses for FY 2016. On 5-28-2015, the bid solicitation page was updated with a "Pre-Bid Attendance Sheet" which lists two bus manufacturers, New Flyer, MTA's current vendor and Nova Bus. Also, on 6-01-2015, the bid solicitation page was updated with an "Opening Bid Date Change" from 07/21/2015 2:00:00 PM EDT to 08/04/2015 2:00:00 EDT.^[34]
• It's being reported that there will not be a bus order for 2015, suggesting the diesel buses that will be ordered will possibly be numbered 16001-16087.
• The contract for the New Flyer XD40s was modified from 87 total buses to 172 total buses to help supplement Governor Larry Hogan's BaltimoreLink bus improvement plan. The XD40s are currently being delivered and some were seen in revenue service as of Friday, July 15, 2016. In the January 27, 2016 Maryland Board of Public Works meeting agenda, it was revealed that the bus order has been split between 2016 and 2017 suggesting the numbering could be 16001-16??? and 17001-17???.

Bus Fleet Notes

The first two digits of every local bus on the MTAs fleet indicate the year the bus was built. Although the 30 hybrid articulated buses (series 08001-08030) purchased from New Flyer began service during 2009, they were ordered and built in 2008; or like the New Flyer XDE40 hybrids (series 11001-11057) ordered in mid-2011, but will did not go into revenue service until the winter of 2012. Another exception to this are the 2013 New Flyer XDE60 hybrids (series 12081-12090) ordered in 2013 however will not start with 13000 but will contain fleet numbers that would suggest it was built and ordered in 2012 however 12081-12090 are in fact, MTA's first 10 new buses of 2013. The following cited picture was taken on board of 12081 that shows the manufacture date of 12081 as January 2013.^[35]

The three Optima Bus Opus models (series 06011-06013) were purchased second-hand from Annapolis Transit in 2006, and specifically for the Mondawmin Shuttle Bug service.^[10] The models have been retired since 2010 and has been sent back to MTA in 2016 for scrapping.

During summer seasons, the MTA loans several of its articulated buses to the Ocean City Transit fleet in Ocean City, Maryland to accommodate the large ridership of the summer season. Ocean City runs the buses from around Memorial Day until around Labor Day, returning them to the MTA at the end of the summer season.

One 1996 NABI articulated bus, 9619 was saved and converted into MTA's official "Comfort Bus," a bus specially designed to be dispatched to special events in Baltimore City during the summer to provide air conditioning to the attendees of special events and to be dispatched around the city for displaced city residents whose homes were made uninhabitable by fire or other causes to provide them heat in the winter and air conditioning in the summer. The interior for 9619 was heavily modified from its revenue service design with three interior roof mounted AC units, modified seating arrangement, tables, a water cooler, microwave, mini-fridge, wall electrical outlets, and a door facing the public-area of the bus prohibiting access from going in and out of the front door, entrance and exit for the public is only through the rear door. Artscape 2015 was the very first event with very high temperatures that 9619 was deployed to as the official MTA Maryland Comfort Bus and the bus had major problems keeping the interior comfortably air conditioned from the three interior roof mounted AC units that were installed. MTA on July 20, 2015 posted to their Facebook page in a comment to an Artscape 2015 attendee who boarded 9619 and experienced the lack of air conditioning: "We spoke with the HVAC specialists who work on the Comfort Zone Bus and they are aware of and working on the issue. Sorry for the discomfort you experienced. Because the Comfort Zone Bus is a new innovation, sometimes it takes a trial or two to get the bugs worked out. Thanks for letting us know!"^[36]

Picture of MTA Maryland's Comfort Bus, coach 9619. Taken at Artscape 2015.

Retired fleet roster

Order Year/Retired	Builder	Model	Length (ft)	Fuel Propulsion	Fleet/(Qty.)		Configuration	Notes
1971/1992	General Motors	New Look 5306	40	Diesel	2301-2484 (184)	No	City	First buses ordered by the new Mass Transit Administration after taking over operations from BTCo. in 1970
1971/1992	General Motors	New Look 5306	40	Diesel	2501-2674 (174)	No	City
1971/1990	General Motors	New Look 5306	40	Diesel	2700-2709 (10)	No	City
1974/1992	General Motors	New Look 5308	40	Diesel	2901-2960 (60)	No	City
1973/1992	Flxible	New Look	40	Diesel	2801-2840 (40)	No	Semi-Suburban
1975/1993	Flxible	New Look	40	Diesel	3001-3205 (205)	No	City
1979/1990	General Motors	RTS-II	40	Diesel	3301-3360 (60)	No	City
1980/1990	General Motors	RTS-II	40	Diesel	3361-3401 (41)	No	City
1982/1998	Grumman Flxible	Metro A	40	Diesel	3501-3541 (41)	No	City
1982/1999	Grumman Flxible	Metro A	40	Diesel	3542-3581 (41)	Yes	City	First fleet to be wheelchair accessible
1983/1999	Flxible Metro	Metro A	40	Diesel	8301-8370 (70)	No	City
1983/2001	Flxible	Metro A	40	Diesel	8371-8380 (10)	Yes	Semi-suburban
1984/200?	Flxible	Metro A	40	Diesel	8401-8430 (30)	No	City
1984/200?	Flxible	Metro A	40	Diesel	8431-8480 (50)	No	City
1984/1998	Flxible	Metro A	30	Diesel	8581 (1)	No	Semi-suburban	ex- Flxible demonstrator
1985/200?	Flxible	Metro A	40	Diesel	8501-8570 (70)	Yes	Suburban
1985/200?	Flxible	Metro A	40	Diesel	8571-8580 (10)	No	Semi-Suburban
1985/1993	General Motors	New Look 5306	40	Diesel	3601-3625 (25)	No	City	Rehabbed GM New Looks that were selected choices from 1974 (23-, 25-, 26-series) fleet
1985/1993	Flxible	New Looks	40	Diesel	3626-3650 (25)	No	City	Rehabbed Flxible New Looks that were selected choices from 1975 (30-series) fleet
1986/2000	Neoplan USA	AN440A	40	Diesel	3701-3705 (5)	Yes	City
1986/2000	Neoplan USA	AN440A	40	Diesel	3706-3710 (5)	No	City
1987/200?	Flxible	Metro A	40	Diesel	8601-8680 (80)	No	City
1987/200?	Flxible	Metro B	40	Diesel	8701-8730 (30)	No	City	First fleet to be equipped with AVL satellite tracking system
1987/200?	Flxible	Metro B	40	Diesel	8731-8740 (10)	No	City
1987/200?	Flxible	Metro B	30	Diesel	8741-8750 (10)	No	Semi-suburban
1987/200?	Flxible	Metro B	30	Diesel	8751-8760 (10)	Yes	Semi-suburban	Used for now defunct Baltimore Zoo shuttle service Used for Mondawmin Shuttle Bug service
1987/200?	Flxible	Metro B	40	Diesel	7001-7035 (35)	No	Semi-suburban	Suburban configuration with one door Used for Express bus service
1987/200?	Flxible	Metro B	40	Diesel	7036-7055 (20)	Yes	Semi-suburban	Used for Express bus service
1988/200?	Flxible	Metro B	40	Diesel	8801-8840 (40)	No	City
1988/200?	Flxible	Metro B	40	Diesel	8841-8880 (40)	Yes	City
1989/200?	Flxible	Metro B	40	Diesel	8901-8940 (40)	No	City
1989/200?	Flxible	Metro B	40	Diesel	8941-8960 (20)	Yes	City
1989/200?	Flxible	Metro B	40	Diesel	8961-8980 (20)	Yes	Semi-suburban
1990/200?	Flxible	Metro B	40	Diesel	9001-9080 (80)	Yes	City
1990/200?	Flxible	Metro B	40	Diesel	101C-118C (18)	Yes	Suburban	Suburban configuration with one door Used for Commuter bus service only
1992/200?	Flxible	Metro C	40	Diesel	9201-9250 (1)	Yes	City
1993/1995	Flxible	Metro D	40	LNG	9301-9304 (4)	Yes	City	First and only natural gas fleet ordered by MTA Seasonal service Sold to Ride-On in 1995
1994/200?	Flxible	Metro D	40	Diesel	9401-9425 (25)	Yes	City
1994/200?	Flxible	Metro D	40	Diesel	9426-9430 (5)	Yes	City
1994/200?	Flxible	Metro D	40	Diesel	9431-9435 (5)	Yes	City
1994/2009	American Ikarus/NABI	436.05	60	Diesel	9501-9510 (10)	Yes	City	First articulated buses in fleet Some with Semi-suburban seating configuration Began service in 1995
1995/200?	Flxible	Metro E	40	Diesel	9521-9539 (19)	Yes	City
1997/2009	American Ikarus/NABI	436.08	60	Diesel	9601-9620 (20)	Yes	City	Some with Semi-suburban seating configuration Coach 9619 has been converted into a "comfort bus" for MTA Maryland. Interior heavily modified from its original revenue service design, with three roof-mounted, generator powered AC units, modified seating arrangements, tables, a water cooler, electrical outlets, microwave and a mini-fridge.
2000/2004	Thomas	SLF-230	30	Diesel	3001-3004 (4)	Yes	City	Used for Mondawmin Shuttle Bug service
2001/2004	Thomas	SLF-230	30	Diesel	3005-3009 (5)	Yes	City	Used for Hampden Shuttle Bug service
2001/2004	Thomas	SLF-230	30	Diesel	3010-3016 (7)	Yes	City
2006/2010	Optima	Opus	30	Diesel	06011-06013 (3)	Yes	City	Ex- Annapolis Transit buses ordered in Winter 2006 Used for Mondawmin Shuttle Bug service
1997/2012	NABI	416.08	40	Diesel	9701-9750 (50)	Yes	City	Rejected order from Miami-Dade Transit in 1996.

• Note: To view the images and history of these retired vehicles, access to these sites: btco.net/Vehicles/ or

Hybrid vehicles (2008-2014)

Former Governor Martin O'Malley announced, in 2008, a commitment to convert the MTA's fleet to hybrid-electric buses by 2014 after the previous order of ten DE40LFRs in 2006. This involves purchasing up to 500 hybrids over a five-year period. In 2009, the MTA put the first 130 New Flyer hybrids into service.^[19] Thirty of the hybrids were the 60-foot articulated "DE60LFR" model (ordered in 2008) and one-hundred were the 41-foot "DE41LFR" model (ordered in 2009).^[20] In 2010, forty-one more hybrids joined the fleet. These buses are "DE40LFR" models, similar to the DE41LFR, but with the air conditioning unit mounted on the top front half of the vehicle to make it appear with a streamline roof styling. In 2011, twelve "DE60LF" articulated hybrids began service August as rejects from a previous CTA order in 2009. The 60-foot DE60LF, similar configuration to DE60LFR except with the original model style. These buses are intended for the most heavily traveled routes carrying up to 100 passengers sitting and standing.^[24]

Since 2006, the MTA has put one hundred ninety-three hybrid buses in service and has plans for fifty-seven more hybrids from New Flyer (known as "Xcelsior" or "XDE40" model) scheduled to arrive in January 2012. On October 7, 2011, MTA Maryland posted on their official Facebook page, a picture of 11001 one of the first XDE40s to roll off of New Flyer's production line for Baltimore with the caption of "MTA's first pilot Xcelsior Bus is here! Can't wait to get it on the streets of Baltimore!"^[37] New features of the hybrid buses (since 2008) include:

<<< New features >>>
Tip-in windows, which open only at the top[21]
Blue & light green wave paint scheme (orders since 2009)
White LED headsigns (orders since 2011)
Non-tinted and frameless windows
Traction flooring
HVAC unit mounted on roof of vehicle
American seating 4th generation urban style seats
Noise reduction
Vandalism-proof interior (orders since 2011)
Automatic touch-motion handles on rear doors
Wider doorways
Fluorescent interior lighting
Better safety equipment
20% higher fuel mileage
25% longer brake life
More than 3x as many miles before a major road call[24]
Push-tape to request stops (2013 order)
Surveillance system that records both audio and video comes as a standard (2013 order)
Slightly redesigned cushioned seats (2013 order)
Senior/Disability seating has a bright yellow-colored shell and has printed on the seats that the seats are for people with disabilities and senior citizens (2013 order)

Interior of a New Flyer Xcelsior featuring an indicator bar integrated into the back-wall. A feature adopted since the 2013 XDE60s.

For four consecutive years, MTA ordered a total of 211 New Flyer Xcelsior hybrid buses from 2011-2014. As of 2015, the state of Maryland elected a new governor, Larry Hogan whose administration removed the previous MTA administrator, appointed by former governor Martin O'Malley, to appoint a new administrator, Paul Comfort. In m-d-2016, the new administration decided to stop the trending order of diesel-electric hybrid buses started by former Governor O'Malley's administration. The ordering of low-sulfur diesel buses was a financial decision to receive more vehicles with less maintenance issues in-contrast to the numerous flaws hybrid buses tend to endure on a daily basis. The first order of such vehicles is expected to arrive in FY2016. A bid solicitation was released in 2015 for 87 low-sulfur diesel buses. It is currently unknown as of August 6, 2015 if this will become a permanent or temporary process to ordering diesel-only transit buses. Less than five months after the announcement, MTA received $100 million in investment to order 172 New Flyer diesel buses - lone bidder during the election process - to modernize, as well as, maximize the number of buses due to be in the system's revenue operations fleet FY2017.^[38] Some of these buses will be integrated into the administration's new CityLINK service beginning June 2017.

Bus yards

MTA local bus service in Baltimore is divided into four divisions, each served by its own maintenance yard. The first digit of a bus's "block number", attached to the bottom right corner of its windshield (from inside of bus), indicates its "base" division. The buses also feature a small letter suffix to the fleet series number. The letter represent the 'first letter' of the division's "name" from where the bus is based.

Base (No.)	Base (Letter)	Division	Routes	Yard location[39]
1	B	Bush Street	1, 3, 8, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 23, 27, 29, 31, 35, 36, 38, qb40, qb46, qb47, qb48, 51, 61, 64, 77, 99, 103, 110, 115, 150, 164	1515 Washington Blvd.
2	E	Eastern	4, 5, 7, 10, 13, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 31, 33, 35, qb40, qb46, 55, 102, 105, 120, 160	201 S. Oldham St.
3	K	Kirk Avenue	3, 8, 9, 11, 12, 15, 19, 36, 44, qb47, qb48, 50, 55, 103, 104, 115, 119, 120	2226 Kirk Ave.
4	N	Northwest	1, 5, 7, 13, 16, 18, 22, 27, 33, 44, 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 77, 91, 105, 106, 107	4401 Mt. Hope Dr.
5 N/A	R	Remington (KIRK AVENUE)	Currently for Non-revenue/Retired buses; Temporary Facility to store buses for Kirk Division during construction process of PHASE II	TBD

References

1. ↑ "Transit Ridership Report Second Quarter 2016" (pdf). American Public Transportation Association. August 22, 2016. Retrieved 2016-11-14 – via http://www.apta.com/resources/statistics/Pages/ridershipreport.aspx. 
2. ↑ "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2015" (pdf). American Public Transportation Association. March 2, 2016. Retrieved 2016-03-19 – via http://www.apta.com/resources/statistics/Pages/ridershipreport.aspx. 
3. 1 2 "Local Bus". MTA Maryland. Retrieved August 17, 2011. 
4. 1 2 3 4 "Commuter Bus". MTA Maryland. Retrieved August 17, 2011. 
5. ↑ Local Bus retrieved 2009-12-16
6. 1 2 MTA Announces New Quickbus Service and Changes to Fall Schedule MTA press release (August 18, 2009). Retrieved 2010-04-23
7. ↑ MTA Announces Local Bus Service Changes Effective February 17, 2008 MTA press release (December 27, 2007). Retrieved 2010-04-23
8. ↑ Express Bus retrieved 2009-12-16
9. ↑ Fares. MTA Maryland. Retrieved 2010-06-22
10. 1 2 "Governor Ehrlich unveils new buses for Mondawmin shuttle". MTA press release (September 16, 2006). Retrieved 2010-06-18
11. ↑ "Neighborhood Shuttles". MTA Maryland. Retrieved June 6, 2011. 
12. ↑ Marcia Myers (December 19, 2000). "Neighborhood shuttle service begins with Hampden route". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 6, 2011. 
13. ↑ Joan Jacobson (November 24, 2000). "`Shuttle bug' route proposed to assist people seeking jobs". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 6, 2011. 
14. ↑ Allen Hicks (June 2005). "Residents unhappy about proposed bus changes" (PDF). Historic Hampden Happenings. Hampden Community Council. Retrieved June 6, 2011. 
15. ↑ MTA press release (February 11, 2008). "MTA announces winter schedule improvements for bus routes for Baltimore metropolitan region". MTA Maryland. Retrieved June 6, 2011. 
16. ↑ MTA customers to get real-time information at bus stops MTA press release (December 20, 2006). Retrieved 2010-04-23
17. ↑ Michael Dresser (April 27, 2009). "MTA schedules public meetings on proposed new quick bus routes". The Baltimore sun. Retrieved 2010-04-23. 
18. ↑ "MTA Fall Service Changes". MTA Maryland. Retrieved June 6, 2011. 
19. 1 2 3 4 Governor O'Malley announces commitment to convert MTA bus fleet to hybrids by 2014. MDOT press release (July 15, 2008). Retrieved 2010-06-15
20. 1 2 New Flyer press release (April 30, 2009). "New Flyer Announces First Quarter 2009 Orders and Backlog". New Flyers Industries, Inc. Retrieved June 6, 2011. 
21. 1 2 New Flyer press release (July 16, 2010). "New Flyer Announces Second Quarter 2010 Orders and Backlog". New Flyer Industries Inc. Retrieved June 6, 2011. 
22. ↑ MDOT press release (November 15, 2010). "Transition to all-hybrid MTA bus fleet continues". Maryland Department of Transportation. Retrieved August 11, 2011. 
23. ↑ New Flyer press release (January 20, 2011). "New Flyer Announces Fourth Quarter 2010 Orders and Backlog". New Flyer Industries, Inc. Retrieved June 6, 2011. 
24. 1 2 3 "Governor O'Malley announces more hybrid buses added to MTA fleet". Maryland Department of Transportation press release. August 4, 2011. Retrieved August 11, 2011. 
25. ↑ MCI press release (February 14, 2011). "Maryland Transit Administration goes with 18 MCI Commuter Coaches for new ICC toll road". Motor Coach Industries Inc. Retrieved October 1, 2011. 
26. 1 2 3 4 "Monumentalcity.net btco.net Forum - Xcelsior". September 21, 2011. p. 5. Retrieved September 23, 2011. 
27. ↑ "Hybrid diesel electric transit buses". MTA Maryland press release. June 21, 2012. Retrieved July 8, 2012. 
28. 1 2 "Maryland's Draft FY 2013-2018 Consolidated Transportation Program". Maryland Department of Transportation. September 6, 2012. Retrieved September 12, 2012. 
29. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=4723240312029&set=a.1585972362291.2082505.1025224688&type=1&theater
30. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=530766963612841&set=a.126580300698178.16471.110997865589755&type=1&permPage=1
31. ↑ "Baltimore Award New Flyer Contract for 172 Xcelsior Buses". New Flyer News release. March 8, 2016. Retrieved March 13, 2016. 
32. ↑ http://bpw.maryland.gov/Documents/Supplementals/SUPP%20DOT%2021%20MTA%20Bus%20Buy.pdf
33. ↑ "Maryland Board of Public Works Meeting Agenda - January 27, 2016" (PDF). January 27, 2016. pp. 137–139. Retrieved July 16, 2016. 
34. ↑ "OPS-15-008-EQ Diesel Buses for FY16". OPS-15-008-EQ Diesel Buses for FY16. Maryland Transit Administration. Retrieved May 17, 2015. 
35. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151314551043598&set=pcb.10151314550938598&type=1&theater
36. ↑ "Kun Sun Sweeley - Maryland Transit Administration: I... | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2015-08-06. 
37. ↑ MTA Maryland's picture of the first XDE40 for Baltimore. MTA Maryland Facebook Page (October 7, 2011). Retrieved 2011-10-09
38. ↑
39. ↑ "2010-2011 MTA Media Guide" (PDF). MTA Maryland. August 2010. p. 2. Retrieved June 6, 2011. 

External links

• Official MTA site
• Baltimore Transit Company history, including a forum

Maryland Transit Administration
Bus	Local 1 3 4 5 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 27 29 30 31 33 35 36 38 44 qb40 qb46 qb47 qb48 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 64 77 91 97 98 99 Express 104 120 150 160 Commuter 201 202 203 204 205 310 320 410 411 420 901 902 903 904 905 906 907 909 915 922 929 950 991 995
Metro Subway	Green Line Owings Mills Old Court Milford Mill Reisterstown Plaza Rogers Avenue West Coldspring Mondawmin Penn-North Upton State Center / Cultural Center Lexington Market Charles Center Shot Tower / Market Place Johns Hopkins Hospital
Light Rail	Central Line Hunt Valley Pepper Road McCormick Road Gilroy Road Warren Road Timonium Timonium Business Park Lutherville Falls Road Mount Washington Cold Spring Lane Woodberry North Avenue                Penn Line Penn Station Mt. Royal / University of Baltimore Cultural Center / State Center Centre Street Lexington Market University Center / Baltimore Street Convention Center Camden Station           Central Line Hamburg Street Westport Cherry Hill Patapsco Baltimore Highlands Nursery Road North Linthicum Linthicum      Cromwell Spur Ferndale Cromwell / Glen Burnie      BWI Airport Spur BWI Business District BWI Marshall Airport
MARC	Penn Line Perryville Aberdeen Edgewood Martin Airport Penn Station West Baltimore station Halethorpe BWI Odenton Bowie State Seabrook New Carrollton Union Station      Camden Line Camden Station St. Denis Dorsey Jessup Savage Laurel Race Track Laurel Muirkirk Greenbelt College Park–U of Md Riverdale Union Station      Brunswick Line Martinsburg Duffields Harpers Ferry Brunswick Point of Rocks Frederick Monocacy Dickerson Barnesville Boyds Germantown Metropolitan Grove Gaithersburg Washington Grove Rockville Garrett Park Kensington Silver Spring Union Station
Facilities and stations	Bus routes Bus yards Light Rail stations MARC stations William Donald Schaefer Building
Proposed services	Baltimore Area      Red Line      Green Line Extension      Port Covington Extension      Yellow Line Charles Street Trolley Washington Area      Washington Purple Line Corridor Cities Transitway Southern Maryland Rapid Transit
Nearby transit agencies	Annapolis Transit BWI Marshall Airport Shuttle Central Maryland Regional Transit Charm City Circulator Harford Transit Rabbit Transit RTA Central Maryland Ride On Shuttle-UM TransIT UMBC Transit WMATA

Transportation in Metropolitan Baltimore
Agencies	MTA MDOT
Local Rail	Light Rail (Stations)      Metro Subway
MARC Train	Camden Line      Penn Line
Bus	MTA bus service (Routes) Charm City Circulator Annapolis Transit BWI Marshall Airport Shuttle Harford Transit RTA Central Maryland
Other	Amtrak Baltimore Coaches Baltimore Bike Share Water Taxi
Aviation	BWI Thurgood Marshall International Airport Martin State Airport Tipton Airport
Automobile	Intrastate MD 2 MD 10 MD 25 MD 26 MD 43 MD 45 MD 100 MD 139 MD 140 MD 144 MD 147 MD 175 MD 295 MD 542 MD 702 MD 940 Interstate I-70 I-83 I-95 I-97 I-195 I-395 I-695 I-795 I-895 US 1 US 29 US 40
Future projects	Red Line      Green Line      Yellow Line Charles Street Trolley BaltimoreLink