The Maryland Transit Administration provides primary public bus service for the Baltimore metropolitan area and commuter bus service in other parts of Maryland. There are 76 bus routes which include 45 LocalLink routes, 12 high-frequency CityLink routes, eight express bus routes (which operate from the suburbs to downtown Baltimore), 19 commuter bus routes, and five Intercounty Connector (ICC) routes which operate primarily from central Maryland to Washington, D.C. or Washington Metrorail stations. Local and commuter bus routes operate in conjunction with one subway line, three light rail lines and MARC Train service, and connect to other transit agencies.
Operation MTA bus service operates throughout the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area and other parts of the state, including 12 CityLink high-frequency color routes; LocalLink routes 21 through 95; Express BusLink routes 103, 105, 115, 120, 150, 154, 160, and 163; Intercounty Connector routes 201 through 205, and commuter bus routes 310 through 995.
Local buses In June 2017, Maryland governor Larry Hogan launched BaltimoreLink as part of an initiative for a better transit system in Baltimore. Local bus lines are identified with a one- or two-digit number. Many numerical designations date back to Baltimore streetcars, and use the route numbers of the streetcars which had operated on 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 do not have evening service, operate on weekdays or during peak hours only, or at times needed by certain employers.Local Bus retrieved 2009-12-16
Until 2009, routes operated in the northwest part of the city and suburbs were known as Metro connection buses. The routes were designated with the letter M followed by a number, and operated from a Metro station to a specified location or between two Metro stations. When 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, the letter M was used for "Metro."
The number of M lines had declined since 1988; many were consolidated, and some were eliminated. After the first phase of the Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative took effect in 2005, only seven M lines remained; the number increased to eight after the M-6 route was restored several months later.
In 2008 and 2009, all M lines were renamed with two-digit numerical designations from 52 to 54 and 56 to 60. Route changes were also made, including merges, splits and the elimination of part of Route M-17.MTA Announces New Quickbus Service and Changes to Fall Schedule MTA press release (August 18, 2009). Retrieved 2010-04-23MTA Announces Local Bus Service Changes Effective February 17, 2008 MTA press release (December 27, 2007). Retrieved 2010-04-23
Express, commuter, and Intercounty Connector buses MTA express routes are distinct from "express" trips assigned to several local bus routes. Express routes provide rapid service by limiting the number of stops along a route. The number of express routes has declined due to the construction of new rapid-transit services and the elimination or consolidation of under-performing routes.
Unlike commuter buses, express bus routes serve areas where local buses are available. Comparable, albeit slower, trips can also be made with local buses.Express Bus retrieved 2009-12-16 Commuter routes provide service between locations not connected by local bus routes.
Both express and commuter routes, identified with 3-digit numbers, offer service primarily during weekday rush hours between downtown areas and Park-and-Ride lots or other suburban locations in Maryland. The commuter routes, designated with higher numbers, are operated by contractors rather than MTA employees.
The newest addition to commuter bus service since 2010, known as the Intercounty Connector (ICC), operates from Gaithersburg to BWI Marshall Airport, University of Maryland College Park and Fort Meade on the new Intercounty Connector expressway in central Maryland.
Neighborhood Shuttle Bug Two local MTA routes were neighborhood shuttles, also known as Shuttle Bugs. These local routes operated in specific neighborhoods to transport people within the communities.
During the early 2000s, MTA introduced the routes. Differences from the other routes included: Reduced fare for a single ride: $1, rather than the $1.60 charged on other buses. MTA unlimited-ride passes (also known as GO-passes) can be used.Fares . MTA Maryland. Retrieved 2010-06-22 Three distinctively-painted, 30-foot Opus buses were purchased in 2006 for the Mondawmin shuttle."Governor Ehrlich unveils new buses for Mondawmin shuttle". MTA press release (September 16, 2006). Retrieved 2010-06-18 Bus-stop signs have unique identifications, different from regular bus-stop signs. The Hampden Shuttle is identified by a ladybug, and the Mondawmin Shuttle uses a grasshopper.
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, and no timetable was developed for the other neighborhood shuttle routes.
A proposed Shuttle Bug route between Randallstown and the Owings Mills Metro Subway Station was opposed by residents along its route. Objections included noise concerns.
In 2005 and 2006, as part of the Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative, MTA proposed changes to these routes which included eliminating Route 98 and reducing service on Route 97 to once an hour. Route 98 was shifted in 2008 to replace service on Roland Avenue which was lost in a change to Route 27.
Shuttle-bug service was discontinued as part of BaltimoreLink in 2017, and Route 97 was replaced by LocalLink 82. Most of Route 98 was replaced by LocalLink 21.
QuickBus In 2005, the MTA introduced a form of express transit known as rapid bus service; the first route was Route 40. The line operates every 10 to 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. Local fares are charged on Route 40, which was later named QuickBus.MTA customers to get real-time information at bus stops MTA press release (December 20, 2006). Retrieved 2010-04-23
In 2009, a new QuickBus route was introduced. Designated as QuickBus 48, it operates on the same route as Route 8 except for the section north of Towson Town Center. A proposed QuickBus route along Route 3, with the designation Route 43, was delayed.
Two more QuickBus routes operated from August 30, 2010, to June 17, 2017. QuickBus 46 operated alongside routes 5 and 10 from the Paradise Avenue loop to Cedonia Loop. QuickBus 47 traveled along route 15 from Walbrook Junction to Overlea Loop. Both buses operated on weekdays at peak hours only.
In 2022, MTA Maryland proposed a plan to reintroduce QuickBus-like service as QuickLink as part of the fall 2022 service changes. The proposal would include a pilot QuickLink 40 east–west limited-stop bus route. QuickLink 40 would operate every 20 minutes during peak hours and every 30 minutes during midday from North Bend to the Essex Park and Ride. The pilot service was placed on hold as MDOT MTA focuses on improving system-wide reliability, but may be included in future service changes.
Bus routes
Fares
See: Current MTA Fares
Fleet Image Builder Model Length (ft/m) Year Fuel Propulsion Powertrain(Engine/Transmission) Fleet numbers(Total) Paint scheme NotesNew FlyerXDE402012 HybridCummins ISL9 Allison H 40 EP12001-12053(53)CityLink & LocalLink 12014 retired on December 7, 2022 12027 sent to Frederick TransIT Currently Being Retired. (8/53) Buses are active.New FlyerXDE602013HybridCummins ISL9 Allison H 50 EP12081-12090(10)CityLink 12081-12082, and 12085-12090 are retired.
Currently Being Retired. (2/10) Buses are active.
Scheduled to be replaced by the 2026 New Flyer XE60 CHARGE articulated buses. New Flyer XDE40 2013 HybridCummins ISL9 Allison H 40 EP13001-13040(40)CityLink & LocalLink 13007, 13008, 13018, 13020, 13025, 13026, and 13040 are retired.Cummins ISB6.7 BAE System 200 HybriDrive13041-13050(10)CityLink & LocalLink 13041-13050 are retired, and Currently Being Stored.New FlyerXDE402014HybridCummins ISL9 Allison H 40 EP14001-14041(41)LocalLink CityLink & LocalLinkNew FlyerXD402016Diesel Cummins L9 Allison B3400xFE16001-16099 (99)http://bpw.maryland.gov/Documents/Supplementals/SUPP%20DOT%2021%20MTA%20Bus%20Buy.pdfLocalLink CityLink 16054 retired on November 1, 2023.
16014 retired on September 4, 2026 after a tree fell ontop of it while on the 87 New FlyerXD4040 ft (12 m)2017Diesel Cummins L9 Allison B3400xFE17000-17072(73)LocalLink 17000 was originally numbered "16100"; units 17000–17028 are 2016 models.
17056 retired on March 15, 2022.
17039 retired on July 8, 2026 after being involved in a mass casualty incident with it crashing into a building in Pikesville while on the 89 New FlyerXD402018Diesel Cummins L9 Allison B3400xFE18001-18070 (70)LocalLinkNew FlyerXD402019Diesel Cummins L9 Allison B3400xFE19001- 19070 (70)LocalLinkNovaBusLFS2020Diesel Cummins L9 Allison B3400xFE20001-20030 (30)LocalLink 20001 arrived in 2019.NovaBusLFS-A2020Diesel Cummins L9 Allison B3400xFE20031- 20070 (40)LocalLink 20031 arrived in 2019.NovaBusLFS2021Diesel Cummins L9 Allison B3400xFE21001- 21070 (70)LocalLinkNovaBusLFS40 ft (12m)2022Diesel Cummins L9 Allison B3400xFE22001-22070 (70)LocalLinkArrived September 2022. NovaBusLFS40 ft (12m)2023Diesel Cummins L9 Allison B3400xFE23001-23070 (70)LocalLink23010 & 23012 has been retrofitted with new TV screens. New FlyerXE4040 ft (12m)2023Electric Siemens ELFA3 ZF AVE130 (Motor)23091-23094 (4)Electric Wave LiveryArrived in 2023, entered service late January 2024. 23091 and 23094 has Earth Day Youth Art Competition wrap.New FlyerXE6060 ft (18m)2023Electric Siemens ELFA3 ZF AVE130 (Motor)23095-23097 (3)Electric Wave LiveryArrived in 2023, entered service late January 2024.NovaBusLFS40 ft (12m)2024Diesel Cummins L9 Allison B3400xFE24001-24070 (70)LocalLinkOne of the last orders from Nova Bus, as it is ceasing its U.S. Plant.New FlyerXDE4040 ft (12m)2025Hybrid Cummins B6.7 Allison eGen Flex H 40 hybrid system25001-25050 (50)LocalLink25001 Entered Service on 12/03/25. Order for 50 Xcelsior Hybrid Buses. New FlyerXE4040 ft (12m)2025Electric Siemens ELFA3 ZF AVE130 (Motor)25079-25098 (20)LocalLink25079 Entered Service on 10/28/25. Order for 20 Xcelsior Electric Charge Buses.New FlyerXDE4040ft (12m)2026Hybrid Cummins B6.7 Allison eGen Flex H 40 hybrid system26001-26037 (37)LocalLinkOrder for 37 Xcelsior Hybrid buses from New Flyer. GILLIGLow Floor HEV40ft (12m)2026HybridCummins B6.7 Allison eGen Flex H 40 hybrid system26050-26069 (20)LocalLinkOrder for 10 Hybrid buses. First ever contract to GILLIG by MDOT MTA.New FlyerXE6060ft (18m)2026Electric Siemens ELFA3 ZF AV130 (motor)26071-26080 (10)LocalLinkOrder for 10 Xcelsior CHARGE articulated buses
Bus yards