Hundreds protest proposed commuter bus cuts
Local politicians, riders challenge MTA's proposal
By Derek Simmonsen
dsimmonson@patuxent.com
Posted 11/19/08
Local politicians, citizens groups and residents came out in force last night to condemn proposed cuts to commuter bus service to Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
“We understand that these are challenging times, but the cuts proposed are a big step backwards,” said Roy Ferguson, of Columbia, on behalf of People Acting Together in Howard, a community advocacy group, at a hearing on the cuts. “Many people have no practical alternatives to this service.”
As part of an overall cost-cutting measure, the Maryland Transit Administration is proposing eliminating bus routes 310 and 311, which go from Columbia to Baltimore, and route 320 from Laurel to Baltimore, and cutting back on routes 929 and 995, which run from Columbia to D.C. and from Clarksville, Ellicott City and Columbia into D.C. The changes would take effect Jan. 12, 2009.
A standing-room-only crowd, estimated by an MTA spokeswoman at 400 people, attended the public hearing at the Owen Brown Interfaith Center in Columbia. About 250 of them signed up to speak.
Howard County state lawmakers, the County Council and Howard County Executive Kenneth Ulman have come out against the proposal, and many of those elected officials were at the hearing.
“The bottom line is we are united in opposition to this,” said State Del. Guy Guzzone, a Columbia Democrat who is chairman of the House delegation. “We feel that it is a critical component to our quality of life.”
Ulman noted that the proposal comes only months after the county expanded the Park and Ride lot at Snowden River Parkway and Route 175 because of increased demand for the busses.
“I understand the pressure the state is under,” Ulman said at the hearing. “I’m just asking you to work with us to see if there is an option ... once it’s eliminated, my concern is it may never come back.”
Angela Bryant-Lecompte, 45, of Columbia, said she has been using the commuter bus to get to her job as a dental hygienist in Baltimore for the past three months, partly in response to higher gas prices, partly because of the high cost and inconvenience of parking downtown.
“On the one hand they tell people to go green,” she said. “Then they’re telling people to get back in their cars.”
MTA has proposed statewide cuts to or outright elimination of 11 commuter bus routes and six train routes, which would save $5.4 million per year.
MTA argues the cuts are necessary because of declining money from gasoline taxes and vehicle title and registration fees, which pay for much of MTA’s operations. A handout distributed at this week’s hearing states that the agency gets 40 percent of its operating costs from fares, and decided against a fare increase because it would be a burden at a time when household budgets are stretched.
MTA officials also said they chose the routes — both in Howard County and elsewhere in the state — based on how many average riders they carry. The agency said the bus routes being eliminated had 18.7 passengers per trip, well below the system-wide average of 36 passengers.
But many residents disputed MTA’s contentions, pointing out that buses are often packed and the number of riders has been increasing every year.
When longtime bus commuter Calvin Blinder, 60, of Columbia, asked for a show of hands to see how many people would be willing to pay increased fares in exchange for keeping the routes intact, a majority of those at the meeting raised their hands.
County Council member Mary Katy Sigaty said people throughout her district are affected by the proposed cuts.
“I’m here to say we need to keep the connection to Baltimore. It is essential for our workforce to get there,” she said. “We all understand it is tough budget times, but the reality is, to cut people off from their jobs is unacceptable.”
Representatives from a number of community groups, including the Howard County Citizens Association, the League of Women Voters and People Acting Together in Howard, spoke out against the proposed cuts.
MTA is taking written comments on the cuts through Dec. 26 and will make a decision shortly after that, said Cheron Wicker, an MTA spokeswoman.
Hearings are being held throughout the state, and the turnout at the Columbia hearing has been the highest so far, she said.
About 435 commuters would be affected by cutting routes 310 and 311 and about 110 riders would be affected by cutting routes 929 and 995, according to MTA figures.
For the elimination of routes 310 and 311, the agency suggests people could take route 150 from Ellicott City to Baltimore or use the MARC train Camden Line.
“We understand that these are challenging times, but the cuts proposed are a big step backwards,” said Roy Ferguson, of Columbia, on behalf of People Acting Together in Howard, a community advocacy group, at a hearing on the cuts. “Many people have no practical alternatives to this service.”
As part of an overall cost-cutting measure, the Maryland Transit Administration is proposing eliminating bus routes 310 and 311, which go from Columbia to Baltimore, and route 320 from Laurel to Baltimore, and cutting back on routes 929 and 995, which run from Columbia to D.C. and from Clarksville, Ellicott City and Columbia into D.C. The changes would take effect Jan. 12, 2009.
A standing-room-only crowd, estimated by an MTA spokeswoman at 400 people, attended the public hearing at the Owen Brown Interfaith Center in Columbia. About 250 of them signed up to speak.
Howard County state lawmakers, the County Council and Howard County Executive Kenneth Ulman have come out against the proposal, and many of those elected officials were at the hearing.
“The bottom line is we are united in opposition to this,” said State Del. Guy Guzzone, a Columbia Democrat who is chairman of the House delegation. “We feel that it is a critical component to our quality of life.”
Ulman noted that the proposal comes only months after the county expanded the Park and Ride lot at Snowden River Parkway and Route 175 because of increased demand for the busses.
“I understand the pressure the state is under,” Ulman said at the hearing. “I’m just asking you to work with us to see if there is an option ... once it’s eliminated, my concern is it may never come back.”
Angela Bryant-Lecompte, 45, of Columbia, said she has been using the commuter bus to get to her job as a dental hygienist in Baltimore for the past three months, partly in response to higher gas prices, partly because of the high cost and inconvenience of parking downtown.
“On the one hand they tell people to go green,” she said. “Then they’re telling people to get back in their cars.”
MTA has proposed statewide cuts to or outright elimination of 11 commuter bus routes and six train routes, which would save $5.4 million per year.
MTA argues the cuts are necessary because of declining money from gasoline taxes and vehicle title and registration fees, which pay for much of MTA’s operations. A handout distributed at this week’s hearing states that the agency gets 40 percent of its operating costs from fares, and decided against a fare increase because it would be a burden at a time when household budgets are stretched.
MTA officials also said they chose the routes — both in Howard County and elsewhere in the state — based on how many average riders they carry. The agency said the bus routes being eliminated had 18.7 passengers per trip, well below the system-wide average of 36 passengers.
But many residents disputed MTA’s contentions, pointing out that buses are often packed and the number of riders has been increasing every year.
When longtime bus commuter Calvin Blinder, 60, of Columbia, asked for a show of hands to see how many people would be willing to pay increased fares in exchange for keeping the routes intact, a majority of those at the meeting raised their hands.
County Council member Mary Katy Sigaty said people throughout her district are affected by the proposed cuts.
“I’m here to say we need to keep the connection to Baltimore. It is essential for our workforce to get there,” she said. “We all understand it is tough budget times, but the reality is, to cut people off from their jobs is unacceptable.”
Representatives from a number of community groups, including the Howard County Citizens Association, the League of Women Voters and People Acting Together in Howard, spoke out against the proposed cuts.
MTA is taking written comments on the cuts through Dec. 26 and will make a decision shortly after that, said Cheron Wicker, an MTA spokeswoman.
Hearings are being held throughout the state, and the turnout at the Columbia hearing has been the highest so far, she said.
About 435 commuters would be affected by cutting routes 310 and 311 and about 110 riders would be affected by cutting routes 929 and 995, according to MTA figures.
For the elimination of routes 310 and 311, the agency suggests people could take route 150 from Ellicott City to Baltimore or use the MARC train Camden Line.
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