Annapolis Mayor Ellen Moyer partnered with a bus service to help hundreds of commuters travel between Annapolis and Washington, D.C., after the popular Maryland transit 921 bus shuts down.
Starting Monday, the Maryland Transit Administration is eliminating several buses and MARC train lines statewide, including the 921 bus route that served about 125 people a day traveling between Annapolis and the New Carrollton Metro Station, authorities said.
MTA officials said budget cuts are forcing them to eliminate or consolidate lines to save the state $25 million.
But Moyer vehemently objected to eliminating the bus, citing negative effects on the environment and increased traffic congestion.
“The notion that we can’t have a bus from the capital to the capital is a problem,” she said.
Moyer called on Dillon’s Bus Service in Hanover to continue offering the same service as the 921 route for an additional 30 days.
The extra month will give Annapolis time to start a marketing campaign to increase ridership and find additional funding through the Annapolis Transportation Department to allow Dillon’s Bus Service to pick up the route.
“We need to have transportation that moves people around reliably. The 921 saves nearly 1.3 million vehicle miles annually, substantially reducing the carbon footprint,” Moyer said.
The MTA first introduced its cost-effective proposals in October, which were met with backlash from 921 bus riders who argued the New Carrollton Metro Station is a critical hub for Metro, bus, MARC, Amtrak and Greyhound stops.
“The 921 served more than 47,000 riders in 2008, averaging 10 round trips per day,” said Ron Dillon Sr., whose bus service is a major contractor with the MTA. His son is Anne Arundel County Councilman Ron Dillon Jr.
“This route is particularly important to riders, as it provides the only direct link between Annapolis and Washington, D.C.’s Metro system.”
Officials also plan to eliminate the last round trip on MARC trains 447 and 448 that stop at Odenton en route between Washington’s Union Station and Perryville. Trains 410 and 412 will be consolidated into the 410 train with service to Odenton.
Commuters also can consider carpooling through organizations like the Annapolis Regional Transportation Management Association, which matches riders and drivers in close vicinity. For more information, visit www.artma.org.
