Baltimore Regional Transit Commission
Overview
The Baltimore Regional Transit Commission (BRTC) was established by Chapter 504, Acts of 2023 to review and comment on annual budget requests of the Maryland Department of Transportation - Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT-MTA), provide updates to the Central Maryland Transportation Plan and various annual reports, and to perform oversight and advocacy duties related to Baltimore region transit services. The BRTC comprises representatives from local government, transportation, industry, business, transit riders, transit advocacy and labor organizations; and several members of the Moore-Miller Administration.
The BRTC emerged as one of a series of recommendations made by the Baltimore Regional Transit Governance and Funding Workgroup, an entity established by the Baltimore Metropolitan Council’s Board of Directors in July 2022 who charged the Workgroup with examining transit governance and funding issues in the region.
The commission welcomes the public to attend its meetings. Meetings are scheduled thru 2024 and can be found in the box titled "Meeting and Events" on the right side of this page.
Purpose and Mission
Local stakeholders have lacked influence on how the regional transit network is planned, built, operated and funded in our region. The Baltimore Regional Transit Commission was created to provide input, advice and support for the operations of MTA’s core service network in the Baltimore region. Specifically the Baltimore Regional Transit Commission is to provide local and stakeholder perspective and comment on MDOT-MTA and Locally Operated Transit System activities in the Baltimore region.
Membership
Members were selected by Governor Wes Moore, Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott, Baltimore County Executive John “Johnny O” Olszewski, Jr., Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman, and Howard County Executive Calvin Ball III (see full roster below). The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) and the Maryland Department of Transportation – Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT-MTA) provide support to the Commission.
Congestion Management Process Committee
Overview
The Congestion Management Process Committee (CMPC) advises both the Technical Committee and the BRTB on issues around safe and efficient movement of people and goods. The group meets approximately three times per year.
Purpose and Mission
To develop a systematic and regionally-accepted approach for managing congestion that provides accurate, up-to-date information on transportation system performance and assesses alternative strategies for congestion management that meets the regions needs by:
- guiding implementation of the regional CMP process and
- helping track progress toward meeting the region’s CMP objectives
Membership
Participants are from all member jurisdictions as well as representatives from Maryland Department of Planning, Maryland Department of Transportation (Secretary’s Office, MDOT MTA, MDOT SHA, MDOT MDTA), Maryland State Police, and FHWA.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Group
Overview
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Group (BPAG) advises both the Technical Committee and the BRTB on all aspects of bicycle and pedestrian issues. It also provides public information and promotes coordination among local, state, and federal agencies. Its meetings provide a forum for sharing ideas for improving bicycle and pedestrian facilities throughout the Baltimore region. The group meets every other month.
Purpose and Mission
BPAG helps make ours a more walk-able and bike-able region by:
- Providing technical assistance to the BRTB and member jurisdictions
- Collaborating with federal, state, and local agencies
- Promoting safe biking and walking in the region through events such as Bike to Work Day and Safe Routes to School
Membership
Members are appointed by the BRTB and include bike/ped planners from each jurisdiction, representatives from Maryland Departments of the Environment, Planning, & Transportation, and two members representing the express interests of cyclists and pedestrians. Its chair and vice chair are elected by group and serve one-year terms. Officers may serve up to two consecutive terms.
BALTIMORE, MD (February 12, 2018) – The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) welcomes comments through Wednesday, March 14, on new projects and funding updates to the 2018-2021 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and/or Maximize2040: A Performance-Based Transportation Plan for five Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) projects and one Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) project.
The BRTB is scheduled to vote on the amendments on Tuesday, March 27, at 9 a.m. The BRTB also will host public meetings on Monday, February 26; Tuesday, February 27; and Monday, March 1.
About Maximize2040 and the TIP
Maximize2040 is this region’s $12.5 billion long-range transportation plan developed by the BRTB. Maximize2040 serves as the blueprint for fiscally constrained transportation planning in the Baltimore region from the year 2020 to 2040. The plan also establishes the region’s broad transportation goals and performance measures, which now serve as guiding principles as the region plans and carries out projects.
The 2018-2021 TIP is the list of regional transportation projects requesting federal funding in the near term. It includes more than $3 billion in proposed federal, state and local money for highway, transit, bicycle and pedestrian projects during the next four years. The funding goes towards maintaining, operating and expanding the transportation system. The TIP is fiscally constrained.
Updates occur in Maximize2040 and the 2018-2021 TIP because of changes to project scope and funding or changes to federal documentation policies. Public comment periods and meetings aim to keep communication open regarding these changes.
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Dear Friends,
When you look at the national news, it’s easy to dismiss Baltimore as a city with great challenges and struggles. But outsiders are discovering what so many of us have known about this region for years: Baltimore is a dynamic destination and it’s only getting better.
Forbes started the momentum when it dubbed us No. 14 on “America’s Coolest Cities to Live” in 2012. Then Zagat crowned Baltimore City No. 2 on “The Top 17 Food Cities of 2015.” So it’s no surprise (but still quite exciting) that we made the New York Time’s “52 Places to go in 2018,” a list of global destinations.
Our Winter 2018 COG Quarterly cover story, “Baltimore Bound,” highlights regional tourism and its intersection with transportation (Page 14). The Baltimore region has something for everyone – whether you’re a foodie or beer connoisseur, a sports fanatic or patron of the arts, nature enthusiast or leisure lover. The tourism industry is a key component of our economy, and it’s an emerging factor in how we approach transportation planning for the future.
Once again, thank you for your interest in BMC and our work.
Sincerely,
Michael B. Kelly
BMC Executive Director
BALTIMORE, MD (April 5, 2018) – Extreme weather, power outages and other disasters happen every day around the world. Residents in the Baltimore region need to prepare at home before an emergency occurs.
“Ready? Set? Good!” is a call-to-action emergency preparedness campaign through the Baltimore Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) that encourages people to, at minimum, put aside a portable, battery-powered radio, flashlight and one gallon of water per person, per day to help get them through those first critical hours when basic services are down. The campaign targets homeowners, heads of households, moms, dads, caregivers and families to prepare for an emergency before one happens.
The first 72 hours into an emergency are critical. It can take emergency personnel that long to restore basic services – electricity, heat, water, clearing of streets from snow and debris, etc. By preparing at home with a radio, flashlight and water, residents would:know what outside communication is available about the situation; navigate safely around the home; and stay hydrated.
“Ready? Set? Good!” also encourages residents to use a checklist to prepare other items – blankets, non-perishable foods, family plans, pet supplies, etc. Adults should keep a checklist in their wallets or purses as a reminder, and purchase items whenever they are at a store running other errands. For more information, including tips and a checklist of recommended items, visit www.readysetgood.org.
In addition, “Ready? Set? Good!” advertisements will appear on television, radio and digitally through Memorial Day weekend through partnerships with Entercom Communications and the Sinclair Broadcasting Group.
The “Ready? Set? Good!” emergency preparedness campaign is a regional effort funded by the Baltimore UASI, a preparedness grant from the federal government. UASI member jurisdictions include the City of Baltimore, the City of Annapolis, as well as Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard counties. The committee also works closely with the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA).
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BALTIMORE, MD (April 10, 2018) – The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) will accept comments on a draft of the Public Participation Plan through Thursday, May 24.
View the BRTB's draft Public Participation Plan
The draft of the Public Participation Plan is scheduled for a vote before the BRTB on Tuesday, June 26.
The Public Participation Plan serves as a guide for residents in the Baltimore region to navigate the public process, while also outlining the policies and procedures to ensure that those coordinating the planning process engage the public. The mission of the Public Participation Plan is to provide an open process that offers reasonable access to information, timely public notice, full public access to key decisions, and support for early and continued involvement of stakeholders.
The BRTB’s Public Advisory Committee (PAC) helped to develop the draft through its Public Involvement subcommittee.
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Dear Friends,
The Orioles are back in town, tulips are in bloom and temperatures are again cresting the 70-degree mark. There’s no doubt that spring has sprung in the Baltimore region, which means Bike to Work Day is right around the corner.
In our COG Quarterly cover story, we’re gearing up – literally and figuratively – for Friday, May 18, when our region will celebrate its 21st year of Bike to Work Day. This annual event, encourages commuters from Baltimore and surrounding counties to swap their cars for a bicycle and enjoy a clean, healthy, affordable ride to work. The big day is coordinated each year by BMC and its member counties and generously supported by public and private sponsors. We hope that you’ll join us for this fun event. Please read about Bike to Work Day, as well as some of BMC's other activities in the Spring 2018 issue of COG Quarterly, our digital magazine.
Sincerely,
Michael B. Kelly
BMC Executive Director
BALTIMORE, MD (May 10, 2018) – The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) staff grieves the sudden loss of Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz after hearing the news of his passing earlier this morning.
"We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, a member of the BMC Board of Directors," said Michael B. Kelly, executive director of the Baltimore Metropolitan Council. "County Executive Kamenetz chaired our board in 2015 and was a strong voice, advocate and leader for our region. Our most sincere condolences go out to his family and friends, as well as to our colleagues in Baltimore County Government."
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Baltimore Regional Safety Subcommittee
Overview
The BRTB’s Regional Safety Subcommittee was created in 2008 to help with the implementation of the 5-year Maryland Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP). The group plays an active role in bringing together safety stakeholders from across the region and representing the 4-E's - Engineering, Education, Enforcement, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
Meetings are typically held quarterly.
Purpose and Mission
- To monitor progress on the implementation of the SHSP in the Baltimore region; and
- To develop plans and programs to raise safety awareness.
Membership
The subcommittee is made up of safety stakeholders from each of the BRTB's member jurisdictions and state agencies representing Engineering, Education, Enforcement, and Emergency Medical Services.