The Baltimore Regional Transit Commission has called on Maryland transportation officials to boost funding for key transit projects in the Baltimore area, expedite construction of a new bus facility, and establish a clear financing plan for the proposed Red Line. The commission warned that postponing these projects could exacerbate maintenance challenges and negatively impact service quality.

In a letter dated September 30 addressed to Maryland Transportation Secretary Katie Thomson, the commission expressed concern over the state’s draft six-year transportation spending plan for fiscal years 2027 through 2032. The plan delays funding for several significant Baltimore transit initiatives and leaves hundreds of millions of dollars in maintenance needs unaddressed.

The commission requested detailed information from the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) on which projects have been deferred due to budget constraints, proposed funding to cover these delays, and a more transparent accounting of Baltimore’s transit requirements prior to finalizing the Consolidated Transportation Program.

While the draft plan increases the MTA’s overall six-year capital budget to approximately $5.76 billion—a slight rise from $5.69 billion in the previous plan—it allocates nearly $197 million less, a 9.6 percent reduction, to Baltimore core transit projects over fiscal 2027-2031. In contrast, funding for comparable projects in the Washington metropolitan region grew, largely driven by a $403 million increase for the Purple Line.

The commission noted that some funding shifts to fiscal 2032 or later might explain the reductions and that project timelines or scopes can also affect reported figures. However, it emphasized that postponing critical work risks extending the use of aging infrastructure and equipment, which could lead to increased maintenance expenses and potential service disruptions.

Maintenance needs left unfunded include approximately $128 million for Metro, $87 million for agency-wide information technology and mobility services, $57 million for bus operations, and $35 million for Light Rail. Deferred projects span Metro tunnel and station repairs, electrical system improvements, bus facility upgrades, and communication technology enhancements.

Of particular concern is the Light Rail modernization program, which saw a funding decrease of about $309 million during the five overlapping years of the two plans. The program involves replacing the fleet, upgrading stations and maintenance facilities, renewing rail infrastructure on Howard Street, and enhancing electrical power systems. The current fleet of 52 vehicles is either at or nearing the end of its service life. Although the plan allocates substantial funds for modernization beginning in fiscal 2032, the commission warned that such delays could hinder timely delivery of new vehicles and system improvements.

Regarding the Red Line, a major east-west transit project long prioritized by the region, the draft budget includes $95 million for planning but no construction funds. The commission urged the MTA to finalize its evaluation of light rail versus bus rapid transit options and to develop a comprehensive funding and implementation timeline.

The draft plan also increases funding for bus services, adding about $106 million for core bus fleet replacement, supporting annual purchases of roughly 67 buses in fiscal 2030 and 2031. It allocates an additional $10 million for the design and property acquisition phase of the new Fifth Bus Division, which is necessary given that current bus divisions have reached capacity. However, the commission criticized the lack of meaningful financial support for the BMORE BUS plan, the region’s initiative to improve core bus service, and called for augmented funding for both BMORE BUS and the Fifth Bus Division's construction.

Officials from MDOT, the MTA, and Governor Wes Moore’s office were not immediately available to comment on the commission’s recommendations.