CP recently reported about efforts to reinstate the former 210 express commuter bus between Baltimore and Annapolis. The District 30 delegation has written in support to the governor, although we have not seen the letter but we do have a letter to share with you from County Councilman Josh Cohen. With the Bay Bridge inspection and lane closure issues, the state did send in additional commuter buses to alleviate traffic. That means that there are resources--it's just a matter of political will to make it happen....which means it is up to us to keep advocating. Again I will say that it is a disgrace that we don't have commuter bus service (and hardly any local service for that matter) to run the 25 miles between our state capital and our largest city. And I will say again that this is happening with a state-run, regional transit system. Inexcusable! Thanks to Councilman Cohen and District 30 for their efforts. Cohen's letter follows:
________________________________
COUNTY COUNCIL OF ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY
September 2, 2008
Honorable Martin J. O’Malley
Governor of the State of Maryland
State House
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
Dear Governor O'Malley:
This letter is to request that the State of Maryland restore express
commuter bus service from Annapolis to Baltimore. The previous
administration eliminated the 210 bus route. This service is needed now
more than ever.
Record gas prices have put a severe strain on countless working
middle-class families whom we represent. These gas prices are prompting
many commuters to consider taking public transit. Although the State
offers three highly-utilized direct commuter routes from Annapolis to
Washington, D.C., none is available from Annapolis to Baltimore.
I commend your Administration's focus on moving Maryland forward with a
top-notch, multi-modal integrated transportation system that relies on
public transit as one of its key legs. Clearly, as our population
continues to grow, simply building more roads to accommodate more
single-occupancy vehicles is an unsustainable strategy. Instead of
perpetuating this vicious cycle of gridlock, we need to shift the
paradigm to providing more convenient, affordable and
environmentally-friendly forms of alternative transportation.
If there is a silver lining to this soft economy, it is that a gradual
shift is taking place in the public's receptiveness to transit. The
unfortunate irony is that just as this new demand is reaching new
heights, the State is poorly positioned to meet it.
Thank you for your attention to this request and for your support of
public transit. I look forward to the day when we can once again ride
the 210 bus from Annapolis to Baltimore.
Sincerely,
Josh Cohen
cc: Secretary John Porcari
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2 Comments:
Look for the High Speed Ferry issue to resurface soon. We have a November 7th meeting on the Eastern Shore.
The good thing about water as a public way is that the Right of Ways do not need to be purchased & the H20 requires no maintenance and its a great ride.
Of course an interconnected transit system on land is required as well as denser forms of land use around marine terminals. This more townlike typology is known as "Marine Transit Oriented Development" as opposed to the sprawl fomented by automobiles.
By the way the buses should run on propane in the burbs and electric in the city similar to Seattle. It is a lot quieter and less noxious that way.
Who cares what it burns? Will you plan to build them out of wood or plastic? Did ferries such as this exist in Colonial days? Or will you employ sailing ships?
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