The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) released its long-awaited MARC Growth and Transformation Plan, setting a clear vision for the future of the state’s commuter rail network. 

Developed through in-depth analysis and broad stakeholder and community input, the Plan charts phased improvements across five-year, 10-year, and long-term scenarios to expand mobility, service quality, and economic development through MARC Train Service.

Timing of the Plan

The release comes as MARC ridership experiences a sharp rebound in 2025. Since January, total ridership is up 58% across the system. All three MARC lines have seen significant gains: the Penn Line is up 52%, the Camden Line 66%, and the Brunswick Line a striking 85%. 

Comparing January through May of 2025 with the same period in 2024, total ridership has climbed 23%.

“Thanks to Maryland’s additional transportation revenues, MTA has funding to help move MARC Train forward on the track towards growth,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “This plan serves as a roadmap for how MTA can advance MARC into the future and elevate the commuter rail system into a train for everyday life.”

Phased Vision for Service Expansion

The Plan outlines strategies for transforming MARC from a traditional commuter-focused system into a flexible, all-day, market-driven service. Key priorities include:

• More frequent and accessible weekday peak and off-peak service.

• The introduction of all-day weekend service will be on additional lines.

• Expansion into new service areas.

• Seamless connections to local transit and Amtrak.

• Infrastructure upgrades to support long-term reliability and capacity.

“Our riders have asked for more frequent and convenient service across the state,” said Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold. “The MARC Growth and Transformation Plan represents an important step forward in a vision for a more connected and sustainable transportation network.”

Early Investments Already Underway

Thanks to investments under Gov. Wes Moore’s administration, MDOT MTA is already advancing key projects identified in the plan. These include:

• $3 million for planning and designing a new station track at Silver Spring on the Brunswick Line, aimed at increasing capacity at one of the system’s busiest hubs.

• $13.7 million for continued planning and design of the Penn-Camden Connector, improving rail connectivity through downtown Baltimore.

The plan also addresses the unique challenges of operating within a shared-ownership rail environment, proposing a phased implementation strategy that aligns with stakeholder agreements and available funding.

A Regional Transit Backbone

MARC Train Service is critical in Maryland’s transit ecosystem, providing weekday service on the Camden and Brunswick Lines and daily service on the Penn Line. 

MARC connects commuters and travelers across the region with direct access to Washington, D.C., BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, and intercity services via Baltimore Penn and Union Stations.

The MARC Growth and Transformation Plan reinforces MDOT MTA’s mission to deliver safe, reliable, and innovative transportation across its multimodal network, including local and commuter bus, light rail, metro subway, and paratransit services.