BALTIMORE, MD (Monday, September 19, 2022) – A Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) subcommittee on energy purchasing saved a record $32.5 million on electricity in fiscal year 2022, and has saved a total of $216.5 million since its inception in 2006 when compared to the local electric utility (BGE) standard offer service fixed rate alternative.
The Energy Board, a subcommittee of BMC’s Baltimore Regional Cooperative Purchasing Committee (BRCPC), oversees energy procurement for participants including city and county governments, public schools, community colleges and a few nonprofits throughout central Maryland. The combined portfolios of these participants, including both electricity and natural gas, represented an annual energy supply spend of $107 million in fiscal year 2022.
BMC Executive Director Mike Kelly celebrated the record saving, which helps cushion the surge in energy prices that Energy Board participants and communities are facing throughout the region.
“We at BMC are committed to working with our partner agencies to support the health and prosperity of the region,” Kelly said. “The savings generated by the Energy Board illustrate that we’re stronger together.”
Energy Board Chair Matthew Carpenter, Baltimore County’s Chief of Budget and Administration, noted that as prices have risen in many sectors, the price of electric and natural gas has seen some of the steepest increases. According to a Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index released in March, the cost of electricity in the Baltimore region jumped 18.4 percent compared to the previous year, while the cost of natural gas jumped 21.2 percent.
He explained that the Energy Board participants collectively hedge electric and natural gas purchases over a three-year period, avoiding costs that would incur if individual participants purchased power at the standard rate and helping to lessen the impacts of volatile spikes in the energy market.
“The Energy Board’s strategy has definitely paid off,” Carpenter said. “This level of cost avoidance provides assurance that the members have taken the management of their publicly-entrusted funds very seriously.”
Harford County Executive Barry Glassman, BMC’s board chair, hailed the work of the Energy Board as a welcome collaboration.
“I’m proud of BMC’s role in securing these savings,” Glassman said. “Now more than ever, we need more of this smart, fiscally-responsible thinking in Maryland.”
Noel Chesser, a principal advisor with Energy Board consultant Enel X, said that as global oil and natural gas prices saw historic increases due to a convergence of factors, Enel X has assisted participants with both cost- and energy-saving efforts. He noted that Enel X has also kept an eye on developments in renewable energy, and will continue to help Energy Board participants decrease reliance on non-renewable energy sources.
To learn more about the Energy Board, click here.
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Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) works collaboratively with the chief elected officials in the region to create initiatives to improve quality of life and economic vitality. As the Baltimore region’s council of governments, BMC hosts the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) and supports local government by coordinating efforts in a range of policy areas including emergency preparedness, housing, cooperative purchasing, environmental planning and workforce development.
BMC’s Board of Directors includes the executives of Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Harford and Howard counties, the mayor of the City of Baltimore, a member of the Carroll County and Queen Anne’s County boards of commissioners, a member of the Maryland State Senate, a member of the Maryland House of Delegates and a gubernatorial appointee from the private sector.
BALTIMORE, MD (Thursday, August 18, 2022) – The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) will convene a Transit Governance and Funding Workgroup to identify ways to improve transit governance and funding in the Baltimore region.
Established by BMC’s Board of Directors at its July 15th meeting, the workgroup will be chaired by BMC board member, Delegate Tony Bridges. "Moving forward it is critical that our transit system work for residents and businesses throughout Baltimore," said Delegate Bridges. "I'm thankful to my fellow BMC board members for their leadership and to the members of the workgroup for their commitment to the issue."
The appointed members of the workgroup include:
- Tony Bridges, Maryland State Delegate, Baltimore City, District 41
- Dr. Celeste Chavis, Associate Professor of Transportation and Urban Infrastructure Studies, Interim Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies, Morgan State University’s Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. School of Engineering
- Andrew Gena, Director of Strategic Research, Amalgamated Transit Union AFL-CIO/CLC
- Tasha Gresham-James, Executive Director, Dundalk Renaissance
- Ron Hartman, Senior Consultant, WSP USA
- Jon Laria, Managing Partner, Ballard Spahr
- Michael McMillan, President & Business Agent, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1300
- Tony Scott, Executive Director, Southwest Partnership
- Samuel Snead, Director, Anne Arundel County Department of Transportation
- Aaron Tomarchio, Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Tradepoint Atlantic
- Adrea Turner, Chief of Staff, Urban Institute
- D’Andrea Walker, Acting Director, Baltimore County Department of Public Works & Transportation
- Mary Washington, Maryland State Senator, Baltimore City, District 43
“Public transportation plays an essential role in the advancement of people, businesses, the environment and overall economy of a city and a region,” said Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “As our local economy emerges from the pandemic, we will need to adequately advocate for and invest in an inclusive transit system that truly connects all of our residents to educational and employment opportunities to drive economic growth for communities throughout Baltimore."
The workgroup has two objectives. First, the workgroup will prioritize one or more governance models identified in the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board’s 2021 Baltimore Regional Transit Governance and Funding Study. The 2021 study researched and identified five potential governance and funding structures for the region’s transit services, as well as a sixth option of maintaining the status quo. The workgroup will review options detailed in the 2021 study and make a formal recommendation to the BMC Board of Directors, Maryland General Assembly, and Governor.
"The assembled transit, business and thought leaders are experts in their fields," said Baltimore County Executive John Olszewski, Jr. "I look forward to hearing the recommendations so we can work with the General Assembly and next Governor to provide meaningful and impactful transportation solutions for the Baltimore region."
Additionally, the workgroup will review funding associated with the Locally Operated Transit Systems (LOTS) program and develop options for increased equity and transparency in the distribution of those funds.
The Baltimore Regional Transit Governance and Funding Workgroup will meet on the first Friday of every month through the end of the year. Meetings will be held at the Baltimore Metropolitan Council’s office and will be open to members of the public. The first meeting will be on September 2, 2022. Click here to view the workgroup's opening presentation.
“This workgroup is a necessary step toward establishing a high functioning and more equitable transit system for the Baltimore region,” said Mike Kelly, executive director of the Baltimore Metropolitan Council. “BMC has taken a thoughtful and diligent approach in analyzing the region’s transit system and I’m pleased to see the issue of local input and decision-making is becoming central to the conversation.”
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The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) works collaboratively with the chief elected officials in the region to create initiatives to improve our quality of life and economic vitality. BMC, as the Baltimore region’s council of governments, hosts the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB), the federal metropolitan planning organization (MPO), and supports local government by coordinating efforts in a range of policy areas including emergency preparedness, housing, cooperative purchasing, environmental planning and workforce development.
BMC’s Board of Directors includes the executives of Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Harford and Howard counties, the mayor of the City of Baltimore, a member of the Carroll County and Queen Anne’s County boards of commissioners, a member of the Maryland State Senate, a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, and a gubernatorial appointee from the private sector.
BALTIMORE, MD (Tuesday, May 31, 2022) – The 25th annual Bike to Work festivities in the Baltimore region concluded with almost 1800 registered participants, up from about 1200 in 2021, as more riders joined in-person events from Annapolis to Bel Air to Columbia to Westminster. About 650 registrants were taking part for the first time, which the Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) celebrated as the organization seeks to expand the impact of Bike to Work.
“We are proud to coordinate this important initiative for the region,” said BMC Executive Director Mike Kelly. “For 25 years, we have worked with our local leaders and jurisdictions to promote biking as a healthy commuting option and to raise awareness for the safety of our fellow riders.”
Bike to Work Week is a campaign that celebrates bicycling as a healthy commuting option while promoting public awareness of its safety and environmental benefits. Bike to Work Week helps raise awareness of the rules of the road for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists, and also highlights the need to improve bicycle facilities to improve safety.
National Bike to Work Day fell on Friday, May 20, but the expanded Bike to Work Week which ran May 16-22 allowed for participants to engage in more events, including a ‘Lake to Lake’ ride from Druid Hill Lake to Lake Montebello and a Mayor's Bicycle Advisory Commission (MBAC) ‘Safety Ride’ at Eager Park.
Plus, nine official Pit Stops throughout the week reached cyclists across the region with snacks and drinks, bike check-ups, ways to get involved with transportation planning, and of course, free t-shirts and other Bike to Work swag (shirts were available all week at 25 pickup locations).
Harford County Executive and BMC Board Chair Barry Glassman visited a Pit Stop in Bel Air, hosted by Bike to Work Week 2022 sponsors Harford Transit LINK and the Harford County Public Library. Glassman acknowledged the work of Harford County Rideshare Coordinator Alan Doran and his team in incorporating cycling into the region’s transportation infrastructure.
“We’re excited to be back in-person and celebrating 25 years of Bike to Work Week,” Glassman said. “It’s a reminder that biking is a healthy way to get around – good for you and good for the environment.”
Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott commemorated National Bike to Work Day by cycling to City Hall, with Pit Stops in Waverly and at the Enoch Pratt Free Library Central Branch. He was joined by Baltimore City Director of Transportation Steve Sharkey and other Department of Transportation officials.
“I encourage residents to consider biking as a viable option for commuting to work and wherever else you need to go,” Mayor Scott said at a press conference outside City Hall following the bike ride. “It’s a good way to participate in a healthy lifestyle and build community with folks in your neighborhood, in your family and across the city.”
Mayor Scott committed to making the city’s transportation infrastructure safer and more accessible, a sentiment echoed by other speakers, including Director Sharkey and MBAC Chair Jon Laria.
For Lanise Stevenson, who partnered with the organization Black People Ride Bikes to organize a weekly ‘Lake to Lake’ ride as a way to bring people together during the pandemic, advocating for safe and accessible cycling in the city is the name of the game.
“I wanted to address chronic loneliness for a lot of our residents, as well as accessibility,” Stevenson said, “And to provide an opportunity for people who look like us to be able to come together in an environment that made them feel welcomed, valued and supported.”
She worked with the city to teach folks how to ride, how to use safety equipment and how to stay safe on the road. She also advocated for improved bike lanes and other measures. Her efforts paid off — Stevenson celebrated growing the Lake to Lake group from fewer than 50 to over 200 riders on average, with families and friends coming together from all over to join in.
BMC Executive Director Mike Kelly thanked the sponsors, organizers and participants for a wonderful Bike to Work Week 2022.
“We are thrilled with this strong return to the expanded Bike to Work Week as we continue to emerge from the pandemic,” Kelly said. “Here’s to another 25 years of progress toward safer and more accessible cycling in the Baltimore region.”
Central Maryland’s next Bike to Work Week is May 15-21, 2023.
Bike to Work Week is supported by donations from generous sponsors: Anne Arundel County Commuter Crew, Baltimore City Department of Transportation (BCDOT), Baltimore and Carroll County Rideshare, Clean Air Partners (CAP), Columbia Association (CA), Downtown Columbia Partnership (DTC), Go Howard, Harford County Public Library (HCPL), Harford Transit LINK, Joe’s Bike Shop, Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland (RTA), Trek Bicycle Corporation, and media sponsor WBAL-TV.
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Captions (clockwise from top left): 1 - Chair of the Anne Arundel County Bicycle Advisory Commission Jon Korin, Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley, Anne Arundel County Office of Transportation Director Sam Snead and Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman, Jr. / 2 - Baltimore City Department of Transportation staff joined a no-drop ride from Druid Hill Lake to Lake Montebello. / 3 - Towson was among the many cities in the region to host Pit Stops for commuters on two wheels for National Bike to Work Day. / 4 - Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott hosted a press conference at City Hall after biking to work on National Bike to Work Day. For more photos, explore the online Bike to Work Week 2022 gallery.
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Notice
The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board operates its programs and services without regard to race, color, or national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable laws. Appropriate services can be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities or those in need of language assistance who submit a request at least seven days prior to a meeting. Call 410- 732-0500. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-735-2258 to initiate a TTY call through Maryland Relay.
Si se necesita información de Título VI en español, llame al 410-732-0500.
The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) works collaboratively with the chief elected officials in the region to create initiatives to improve the quality of life and economic vitality. BMC, as the Baltimore region’s council of governments, hosts the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB), the federal metropolitan planning organization (MPO), and supports local government by coordinating efforts in a range of policy areas including emergency preparedness, housing, cooperative purchasing, environmental planning and workforce development.
BMC’s Board of Directors includes the executives of Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Harford and Howard counties, the mayor of the City of Baltimore, a member of the Carroll County and Queen Anne’s County boards of commissioners, a member of the Maryland State Senate, a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, and a gubernatorial appointee from the private sector.
BALTIMORE, MD (Friday, May 13, 2022) – The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) is excited for the start of the 25th annual Bike to Work celebration in the Baltimore region. Nearly 1,500 riders from Annapolis to Aberdeen and Columbia to Towson have already registered to meet up at more than 35 locations or events. “BMC is proud to coordinate this important event for the region. For 25 years we have worked with our local leaders and jurisdictions to promote biking as a healthy commuting option and to raise awareness for the safety of our fellow riders. We are anticipating a strong return of the expanded Bike to Work Week as we continue to emerge from the pandemic,” said Mike Kelly, executive director of BMC.
Community members from around the Baltimore region are invited to take part in Bike to Work Week 2022 scheduled for Monday, May 16 - Sunday, May 22. Registration is still open by visiting BiketoWorkMD.com.
Participants who register and ride can pick up a free t-shirt at over twenty area bike shops (quantities limited) and have a chance to win prizes including, daily giveaways of gift certificates to local bike shops and a $500 grand prize.
Bike rides to any location are eligible for Bike to Work Week 2022. Consider biking to the store, the playground, around your neighborhood, to work, or school. Explore your community to enjoy the beautiful spring blooms!
Please share pictures and posts with us on social media by using #BTWW2022 and tagging us on Facebook @Bike2WorkCentralMD and Twitter @bike2workmd. For our health, for your wallet, and for clean air, BIKE THERE!
Bike to Work Week is supported by donations from generous sponsors: Anne Arundel County Commuter Crew, Baltimore City Department of Transportation (BCDOT), Baltimore and Carroll County Rideshare, Clean Air Partners (CAP), Columbia Association (CA), Downtown Columbia Partnership (DTC), Go Howard, Harford County Public Library (HCPL), Harford Transit LINK, Joe’s Bike Shop, Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland (RTA), Trek Bicycle Corporation, and media sponsor WBAL-TV.
About Bike to Work Week
The Baltimore Metropolitan Council, and its members, organize an annual Bike to Work celebration in the region. Bike to Work Week is a campaign that celebrates bicycling as a healthy commuting option while promoting public awareness of its safety and environmental benefits. Bike to Work Week helps raise awareness of the rules of the road for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists, and also highlights the need to improve bicycle facilities to improve safety.
Notice
The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board operates its programs and services without regard to race, color, or national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable laws. Appropriate services can be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities or those in need of language assistance who submit a request at least seven days prior to a meeting. Call 410- 732-0500. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-735-2258 to initiate a TTY call through Maryland Relay.
Si se necesita información de Título VI en español, llame al 410-732-0500.
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The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) works collaboratively with the chief elected officials in the region to create initiatives to improve our quality of life and economic vitality. BMC, as the Baltimore region’s council of governments, hosts the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB), the federal metropolitan planning organization (MPO), and supports local government by coordinating efforts in a range of policy areas including emergency preparedness, housing, cooperative purchasing, environmental planning and workforce development.
BMC’s Board of Directors includes the executives of Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Harford and Howard counties, the mayor of the City of Baltimore, a member of the Carroll County and Queen Anne’s County boards of commissioners, a member of the Maryland State Senate, a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, and a gubernatorial appointee from the private sector.
BALTIMORE, MD (Monday, April 11, 2022) – Community members from around the Baltimore region are invited to take part in the 25th annual Bike to Work celebration scheduled for Monday, May 16 - Sunday, May 22. Registration is now open by visiting BiketoWorkMD.com.
Participants who register and ride during Bike to Work Week 2022 can pick up a free t-shirt at local bike shops and local Bike to Work celebrations (quantities limited) and have a chance to win prizes including, daily giveaways of gift certificates to local bike shops and a $500 grand prize.
Bike rides to any location are eligible for Bike to Work Week 2022. Consider biking to the store, the playground, around your neighborhood, to work, or school. Explore your community to enjoy the beautiful spring blooms!
Bike to Work Week is supported by donations from generous sponsors: Anne Arundel County Commuter Crew, Baltimore City Department of Transportation (BCDOT), Baltimore and Carroll County Rideshare, Clean Air Partners (CAP), Columbia Association (CA), Downtown Columbia Partnership (DTC), Go Howard, Harford County Public Library (HCPL), Harford Transit LINK, Joe’s Bike Shop, Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland (RTA), Trek Bicycle Corporation, and media sponsor WBAL-TV.
About Bike to Work Week
The Baltimore Metropolitan Council, and its members, organize the annual Bike to Work celebration in the region. Bike to Work Week is a campaign that celebrates bicycling as a healthy commuting option while promoting public awareness of its safety and environmental benefits. Bike to Work Week helps raise awareness of the rules of the road for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists, and also highlights the need to improve bicycle facilities to improve safety.
Notice
The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board operates its programs and services without regard to race, color, or national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable laws. Appropriate services can be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities or those in need of language assistance who submit a request at least seven days prior to a meeting. Call 410- 732-0500. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-735-2258 to initiate a TTY call through Maryland Relay.
Si se necesita información de Título VI en español, llame al 410-732-0500.
###
The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) works collaboratively with the chief elected officials in the region to create initiatives to improve our quality of life and economic vitality. BMC, as the Baltimore region’s council of governments, hosts the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB), the federal metropolitan planning organization (MPO), and supports local government by coordinating efforts in a range of policy areas including emergency preparedness, housing, cooperative purchasing, environmental planning and workforce development.
BMC’s Board of Directors includes the executives of Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Harford and Howard counties, the mayor of the City of Baltimore, a member of the Carroll County and Queen Anne’s County boards of commissioners, a member of the Maryland State Senate, a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, and a gubernatorial appointee from the private sector.
BALTIMORE, MD (Monday, March 7, 2022) – The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB), as the metropolitan planning organization for the Baltimore region, seeks volunteers to serve on a newly formed group, Transportation CORE (Community Outreach and Regional Engagement). Applications are due April 15, 2022.
The BRTB has made an innovative decision to launch Transportation CORE as a new form of public engagement to bring together people from around the region to provide feedback on a range of transportation and planning topics.
Samuel Sneed, Chair of the BRTB says “Public engagement is vital to the regional planning process and the BRTB’s Transportation CORE offers the public an exciting new way of connecting with the transportation planning process. Through regular online engagement, your voice can help improve the quality of life in the Baltimore region.”
Interested in joining? More details about the Transportation CORE and how to apply are below.
About the Transportation CORE
Core goals of the Transportation CORE are:
- To provide opportunities for various interested parties to have input on how BRTB approaches project planning, prioritization of projects and initiatives, and public involvement.
- To expand our reach beyond BRTB committees and long-time partners to make sure that rural, suburban and urban communities and business interests from across the Baltimore region are represented.
- To bring new and emerging concerns and issues to BRTB/BMC’s attention by members who will also serve as local “eyes and ears” about transportation throughout the region.
Membership
We are seeking up to 50 participants to form the initial Transportation CORE, including neighborhood residents and business owners, equity, and transportation advocates, non-profit leaders, and representatives of the various interested parties and key stakeholders that are essential to include in the planning process.
Participants should:
- Be age 18+
- Live or work in the region
- Have an interest in helping to inform the region’s transportation planning process;
- Be willing and able to participate in eight (8) to 10 interactive online activities throughout the year such as brief surveys, preference polls, or review of draft materials
- Be willing to participate in two (2) to three (3) virtual public meetings per year
- Be open to participate in an annual summit meeting or workshop (in-person or virtually)
Transportation CORE Activities - The Transportation CORE will be engaged throughout the year primarily via “asynchronous” online activities that members complete at their convenience. The kinds of activities could include surveys, reviewing draft materials, threaded chats, and virtual meetings to get project updates from planning staff.
Apply Today at bit.ly/3g2LDZn.
Applications are due April 15, 2022. Applications received after this time will be considered on a rolling basis. Transportation CORE participants will be chosen by a panel of representatives from the BRTB members and BMC staff.
For more information:
Monica B. Haines Benkhedda at transportationCORE@PublicInput.com or 410-732-0500 x1047.
Notice
The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board operates its programs and services without regard to race, color, or national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable laws. Appropriate services can be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities or those in need of language assistance who submit a request at least seven days prior to a meeting. Call 410- 732-0500. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-735-2258 to initiate a TTY call through Maryland Relay.
Si se necesita información de Título VI en español, llame al 410-732-0500.
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The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) works collaboratively with the chief elected officials in the region to create initiatives to improve our quality of life and economic vitality. BMC, as the Baltimore region’s council of governments, hosts the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB), the federal metropolitan planning organization (MPO), and supports local government by coordinating efforts in a range of policy areas including emergency preparedness, housing, cooperative purchasing, environmental planning and workforce development.
BMC’s Board of Directors includes the executives of Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Harford and Howard counties, the mayor of the City of Baltimore, a member of the Carroll County and Queen Anne’s County boards of commissioners, a member of the Maryland State Senate, a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, and a gubernatorial appointee from the private sector.
BALTIMORE, MD (Friday, January 21, 2022) – The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) hosted its virtual board of directors meeting at 9 a.m. on Friday, January 21, 2022, unanimously approving Harford County Executive Barry Glassman as its 2022 chair, and Howard County Executive, Calvin Ball, as its vice-chair.
Throughout his 30 years in public service, Barry Glassman has been recognized for outstanding character and leadership. He has been a BMC board member since 2014, and served as chair in 2016. He will serve as BMC board chair for a second time through January 2023.
“It is a great honor to chair the board of the Baltimore Metropolitan Council,” said County Executive Glassman. “Harford County is an integral piece of the puzzle that comprises greater Baltimore and I look forward to working with the other jurisdictional leaders to leverage our resources for the region.”
Mike Kelly, BMC Executive Director says “County Executive Glassman has been an instrumental asset to the BMC board for many years. His insight and leadership is invaluable to the progress of our organization and the region at large. We look forward to what is to come as we continue to serve in the region’s recovery.”
BMC also welcomes Howard County Executive Calvin Ball as vice-chair. He has been a BMC board member since 2018 and will serve as vice-chair through January 2023.
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The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) works collaboratively with the chief elected officials in the region to create initiatives to improve our quality of life and economic vitality. BMC, as the Baltimore region’s council of governments, hosts the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB), the federal metropolitan planning organization (MPO), and supports local government by coordinating efforts in a range of policy areas including emergency preparedness, housing, cooperative purchasing, environmental planning and workforce development.
BMC’s Board of Directors includes the executives of Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Harford and Howard counties, the mayor of the City of Baltimore, a member of the Carroll County and Queen Anne’s County boards of commissioners, a member of the Maryland State Senate, a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, and a gubernatorial appointee from the private sector.
BALTIMORE, MD (Wednesday, June 30, 2021) – The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) hosted its virtual meeting Tuesday, June 22 at 9 a.m. approving Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman as its FY 2022 chair, and Baltimore County Executive, John Olszewski Jr., as its vice-chair.
“The BRTB approaches transportation the way it should be done - from a regional perspective," Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman said. “It’s an honor to lead the organization in a time when regional leaders are aligned and the federal government is prepared to invest in public transportation.”
FY 2022 BRTB Vice Chair, County Executive Olszewski Jr., said “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to serve as the vice-chair of the BRTB and look forward to working alongside our regional partners to continue building a stronger, more resilient, and forward-thinking region.
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The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) works collaboratively with the chief elected officials in the region to create initiatives to improve the quality of life and economic vitality. BMC, as the Baltimore region’s council of governments, hosts the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB), the federal metropolitan planning organization (MPO), and supports local government by coordinating efforts in a range of policy areas including emergency preparedness, housing, cooperative purchasing, environmental planning and workforce development.
BMC’s Board of Directors includes the executives of Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Harford and Howard counties, the mayor of the City of Baltimore, a member of the Carroll County and Queen Anne’s County boards of commissioners, a member of the Maryland State Senate, a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, and a gubernatorial appointee from the private sector.
BALTIMORE, MD (Monday, August 2, 2021) – Community members from around the Baltimore region are invited to take part in the Cycle September bicycle challenge from Wednesday, September 1 - Thursday, September 30. The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) and generous sponsors have partnered with Love to Ride to continue to bring the free online biking challenge and encouragement program to the region.
Community members can register now as individuals or as part of a workplace team at LovetoRide.net/CentralMD.
Bike rides to any location are eligible for Cycle September. Participants can consider biking to grab a bite to eat, to the store, the playground, to work or school, or around their neighborhood, while they earn points for every mile they ride, every day they ride, and every new person they encourage to ride throughout September.
Participants who register and ride during September have a chance to win both local and challenge-wide prizes including gear and apparel or $50 gift certificates to their favorite local bike shop. The event also features a local grand prize drawing of a $150 gift certificate to the winner’s local bike shop of choice.
The Love to Ride platform is an easy-to-run team building and staff engagement program that supports sustainability goals. Workplaces who participate can measure the collective impact of their organization by tracking how many miles and bike rides the team takes and how much CO2 (carbon dioxide) is saved during the month-long challenge. Riders can join a workplace team or start a new one to compete against other workplaces during the Cycle September challenge to see who can earn the most points in their size category for bragging rights and a framed winner’s certificate. Love to Ride calculates workplace points by adding up the individual points of each team member.
Love to Ride is supported by donations from generous sponsors: Anne Arundel County Commuter Crew, Baltimore City Department of Transportation, Rideshare of Baltimore and Carroll Counties, Clean Air Partners, Downtown Columbia Partnership, Harford County Public Library, Harford County Transit Link, Harford Commute Smart, Go Howard, Joe's Bike Shop, Maryland Department of Transportation, Race Pace Bicycles, Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland, and RK&K.
About Love to Ride Central MD
The Baltimore Metropolitan Council has partnered with Love to Ride to bring more fun, more community, and more inspiration to get more people biking. Love to Ride is a year round biking encouragement program where individuals can track the miles they bike and win incentive prizes, increasing the number of bike trips people take and encourages those who have not ridden in a while to get back on a bike. There are also two challenges per year, Bike Month in May and Cycle September, where workplaces compete to win in their respective size categories. LovetoRide.net/CentralMD.
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The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) works collaboratively with the chief elected officials in the region to create initiatives to improve the quality of life and economic vitality. BMC, as the Baltimore region’s council of governments, hosts the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB), the federal metropolitan planning organization (MPO), and supports local government by coordinating efforts in a range of policy areas including emergency preparedness, housing, cooperative purchasing, environmental planning and workforce development.
BMC’s Board of Directors includes the executives of Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Harford and Howard counties, the mayor of the City of Baltimore, a member of the Carroll County and Queen Anne’s County boards of commissioners, a member of the Maryland State Senate, a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, and a gubernatorial appointee from the private sector.
[Baltimore, MD, April 22, 2021]
The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) will host a virtual public forum and panel discussion to inform and garner public feedback on the Baltimore Region Transit Governance & Funding Study on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 6 pm.
The panel discussion will feature transit professionals and experts from organizations across the nation who will discuss their experience and insight into the transit operations, funding and related issues as well as share their knowledge on issues related to transit governance.
Panelists include:
- David Bragdon, Executive Director of TransitCenter
- Naomi Doerner, Director of Equity and Inclusion, Nelson\Nygaard
- Paul Lewis, Vice President of Policy and Finance, Eno Center for Transportation
- Diane Jones Allen, Professor, University of Texas, Arlington
The public forum will provide attendees an opportunity to hear directly from national experts and to better understand how Baltimore can take lessons learned to propose changes that better meet the region’s goals. The public will also be offered the opportunity to share their thoughts after the presentation.
Registration is now open at https://publicinput.com/e1101.
Those who cannot make the virtual public forum and panel discussion, but would like to offer input, can complete the online survey by visiting publicinput.com/e1101 or by texting X032 to 73224. Comments will also be accepted by email at: X032@PublicInput.com or Twitter @BaltoMetroCo, @BmoreInvolved, or #BRTBlistens.
What is the Baltimore Region Transit Governance and Funding Study?
The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) is one of the few state run transit systems in the country and is facing funding challenges.
The Baltimore Region Transit Governance & Funding Study will develop potential alternatives for the structure, organization, and funding of public transit in the Baltimore region including scenarios to enhance and balance local jurisdiction engagement and potential contributions to achieve regional and local public transit performance goals. These scenarios will be developed and considered in the context of public transit funding structures in the State of Maryland.
The study is being developed through a collaborative process between the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) members and regional stakeholders, and is supported by research and analysis.
The goal is to develop four (4) potential governance options that are:
- Based on an understanding of transit’s historical development in the region
- Realistic about constraints
- Creative in providing opportunities for change
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The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) works collaboratively with the chief elected officials in the region to create initiatives to improve the quality of life and economic vitality. BMC, as the Baltimore region’s council of governments, hosts the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB), the federal metropolitan planning organization (MPO), and supports local government by coordinating efforts in a range of policy areas including emergency preparedness, housing, cooperative purchasing, environmental planning and workforce development.
BMC’s Board of Directors includes the executives of Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Harford and Howard counties, the mayor of the City of Baltimore, a member of the Carroll County and Queen Anne’s County boards of commissioners, a member of the Maryland State Senate, a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, and a gubernatorial appointee from the private sector.