Category: Better Public Transit

Take action: Support passage of MD transportation reforms!

Take action: Support passage of MD transportation reforms!

Posted on by Cheryl Cort

Thanks to you and other advocates, we have advanced a set of transportation reform bills through the Maryland House of Delegates. Now we need to do a final push to win adoption in the Maryland Senate so Governor Moore can sign them into law! 

TAKE ACTION

This legislation to guide Maryland’s transportation priorities is especially important if the state adds new revenues and spending. Key bills in the Senate Budget & Taxation Committee that CSG supports are:

Transit-Oriented Development (HB 80) – MDOT’s amended bill relieves parking mandates and allows mixed use development in proximity to Metrorail, Purple Line, and most MARC stations. It also removes potential obstacles to transit-oriented development plans on state-owned land. 

Transportation and Climate Alignment Act (HB 84) – MDOT is supporting this bill that would require the agency to evaluate its transportation projects to ensure they help Maryland meet its greenhouse gas reduction targets and provide alternatives to driving. 

Metro Funding Modification Act (HB 467) – Maryland, DC and Virginia came together in 2018 to successfully fund Metro’s capital needs. As a result, Metro service today is faster, more frequent, and more reliable. However, the $500M in annual funding was not indexed to inflation, risking future funding shortfalls and declining reliability and safety. This bill would index the funding to inflation. 

Work Group on Reorganization of MTA (HB 517) – Creates a study group to separate the MARC, Purple Line, and Commuter Bus systems from MTA’s local Baltimore transit focus. This would better ensure a focus on modernization and improved operations for MARC and a successful Purple Line service.

More transportation funding – The just released joint Senate/House budget proposal would increase transportation funding by $500 million per year using an increase in the state tax on capital gains and other measures.

Thanks for helping build a better Maryland!

MD Testimony: Local Transit Sustainability Act, SB 20/HB 432

Posted on by Cheryl Cort

Testimony on SB 20

Local Transit Sustainability Act

Senate Budget & Taxation Committee

Date: January 27, 2025

Position: SUPPORT

The Coalition for Smarter Growth supports SB 20. Our organization advocates for walkable, bikeable, inclusive, and transit-oriented communities as the most sustainable and equitable way for the Washington, DC region to grow and provide opportunities for all. 

The Locally Operated Transit Systems – Mandatory Funding – Inflation Adjustment (Local Transit Sustainability Act) will provide greater reliability to services on which many Maryland workers and residents depend.

‬Maryland is one of the top states in per capita transit ridership. In the area where our organization works, locally operated transit systems are essential:

  • Montgomery County Ride On served 18.5 million passenger trips last year. This was a 20% ridership increase from the previous year, and the second highest growth among mid-sized transit systems nationwide.
  • Prince George’s County The Bus serves 10,000 miles of routes in the county and 10,000 riders per day.

Despite recovering ridership and fare revenue since the pandemic, Maryland’s Locally Operated Transit Systems – and their many riders – depend on regular state support. 

SB 20 would provide predictability for local agencies and communities with needed adjustments for inflation. 

We ask for a favorable report for SB 20 by the committee. Thank you.

MD Testimony for Metro Funding Modification Act (HB 467 / SB 384)

Posted on by Cheryl Cort

Testimony on SB 384

Metro Funding Modification Act of 2025

Senate Budget & Taxation Committee

Date: January 27, 2025

Position: SUPPORT

The Coalition for Smarter Growth supports SB 384. Our organization advocates for walkable, bikeable, inclusive, and transit-oriented communities as the most sustainable and equitable way for the Washington, DC region to grow and provide opportunities for all. 

The Metro Funding Modification Act will ensure that critical tri-state capital funding for WMATA is adjusted for inflation, contingent on similar commitments by the District of Columbia and Virginia. The WMATA rail, bus and paratransit systems are foundations of the economy and community livability of the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC. 

WMATA has made significant progress in addressing its infrastructure and equipment state of good repair needs, thanks to the 2018 deal reached by Maryland, the District of Columbia and Virginia to provide $500 million annually in dedicated capital funding. However, this was not indexed to inflation, and WMATA’s lost purchasing power threatens to increase the deferred maintenance backlog in coming years. 

WMATA service today is faster, more frequent, and more reliable because of the three states’ investment in WMATA. WMATA strategic planning, maintenance, transparency, and communications are much improved, ridership is bouncing back strongly, and customer satisfaction is at an all-time high. Our Metro has also made our region more economically competitive by attracting and retaining cutting-edge companies and next generation employees. Vacancy rates for offices near Metro are significantly lower than in office parks, reflecting the desirability of Metro station locations.

However, without timely action by the State of Maryland (and its partners DC and Virginia), inadequate capital funding for Metro will result in declining service reliability, worsening customer experience, and increased safety risk. These risks threaten worker commutes, transit-oriented business centers in Montgomery and Prince George’s, and household affordability that underpin the economy and make these areas desirable places.

Maryland can be a regional leader by passing SB 384, making the common-sense step of indexing existing dedicated state Metro capital funding to inflation. 
We ask for a favorable report for SB 384 by the committee. Thank you.

Better Buses Coalition Letter in Support of Georgia Ave. Dedicated Bus Lanes (Montgomery)

Better Buses Coalition Letter in Support of Georgia Ave. Dedicated Bus Lanes (Montgomery)

Posted on by Carrie Kisicki

Dear Secretary Wiedefeld, GM Clarke, County Executive Elrich, Council President Stewart, and Director Conklin:

The undersigned organizations representing the Montgomery County Better Buses Coalition are writing regarding the MD-97 (Georgia Ave.) dedicated bus lane proposal. We are encouraged by the success of the pilot project and ask you to make the dedicated lanes permanent.

Event Materials: Transportation and Climate Alignment Act virtual rally

Posted on by Ayesha Amsa

Thank you so much for attending the Transportation and Climate Alignment Act Virtual Rally! If you missed it, check out the recording and slides. If you are interested in getting more involved or receiving email updates about the bill, please take a couple minutes to fill out our action form.

Take Action: Do you want an even better Metro & bus? Take this survey!

Posted on by Ayesha Amsa

CSG is at the table with leaders from DC, Maryland, and Virginia in “DMVMoves” – an initiative to create an updated transit vision and to (finally!) identify dedicated funding. This is the most important initiative in years to create a world-class regional transit network – with financial stability – for years to come. 

Do you want an even better Metro & bus? Take this survey!

Do you want an even better Metro & bus? Take this survey!

Posted on by Ayesha Amsa

CSG is at the table with leaders from DC, Maryland, and Virginia in “DMVMoves” – an initiative to create an updated transit vision and to (finally!) identify dedicated funding. This is the most important initiative in years to create a world-class regional transit network – with financial stability – for years to come.