The Maryland Department of Transportation, Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA), released the BMORE BUS plan, a comprehensive roadmap for transforming and modernizing bus service throughout the Baltimore region. 

After extensive community engagement and data analysis, the new plan lays out a bold vision centered on improving service frequency, expanding network reach, and investing in long-term transit infrastructure.

“The bus is the workhorse of MTA's transit system and currently carries more than double the number of riders of all of the agency's other modes combined,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “This plan serves as a guide for future improvements, and thanks to additional transportation revenues, MDOT is making historic investments in transit to improve the system further.”

Community-Informed Planning

The BMORE BUS plan reflects feedback from nearly 1,000 public comments and a wide range of community engagement sessions. 

During the outreach process, enhanced service frequency emerged as the top priority for current riders and non-riders.

In response, the plan proposes:

• A minimum service standard of 30-minute headways or better across the network.

• Increased frequency on weekdays, weekends, and overnight service.

• Expansion of 15-minute or less service on more routes.

• New and extended bus routes.

• Introduction of on-demand microtransit options.

“Fast, frequent, and reliable service is at the core of what riders want from their bus system,” said Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold. “We are committed to the most satisfactory rider experience possible and advocating at every level for the resources we need to achieve this vision.”

Backed by New Investments

Thanks to Gov. Wes Moore’s transportation funding initiatives, MDOT and MTA are prioritizing state-of-good-repair projects and investments in aging infrastructure. The budget also allocates resources for hiring additional operators, which is critical for improving service reliability and enabling future service expansion.

The plan also calls for constructing a fifth bus division facility, essential for housing and maintaining an expanded fleet.

While full implementation of the BMORE BUS network is contingent on additional funding, incremental improvements are expected to begin through MDOT MTA’s annual service planning process. 

The agency will continue to collaborate with stakeholders, riders, and elected officials to advocate for the resources needed to realize the full vision.

The MDOT MTA said BMORE BUS sets the stage for a more equitable, accessible, and efficient transit future in Central Maryland. It is a strategic step toward closing service gaps, addressing reliability concerns, and delivering a transit system that meets the diverse needs of the Baltimore region.