Greyhound and the State of Maryland recently launched the first phase of Greyhound Connect, a service linking rural communities between Baltimore and Wilmington, Del. with intercity bus transportation. The program is part of the Maryland Department of Transportation's (MDOT) Rural Intercity Bus Program.

Greyhound Connect is the result of a needs assessment conducted by the MDOT that identified regions within the state in need of daily, scheduled and affordable transportation. From Jan. 4 to Jan. 10, one-way fares are just $1. Effective January 11, one-way fares will cost $21 or less.

A Federal Transit Administration monetary grant will cover program expenses for at least 18 months. Greyhound provides an in-kind match, allowing the new service to use Greyhound's online ticketing system, website and terminals.

Greyhound Connect makes stops in Baltimore, Aberdeen, Edgewood, Elkton, Perryville, Northeast, and White Marsh Station, Md.; as well as Newark and Wilmington, Del.

The buses will run once daily in each direction. After reaching Baltimore or Aberdeen, the buses will connect with existing Greyhound service to more than 2,300 destinations in the U.S.