Central Maryland Regional Transit

Central Maryland Regional Transit
FoundedMay 1987 (1987-05), as Corridor Transportation Corporation, by the Baltimore Washington Corridor Chamber
Commenced operationMay 1989
Ceased operation(Renamed) by Jan 2018
LocaleLaurel, Maryland
Service areaAnne Arundel County, Prince George's County, Howard County
Service typeTransit bus
AllianceCentral Maryland Transportation Alliance
Routes17[1]
Fleet72 vehicles[1]
Annual ridership1.6 million in FY 2011
OperatorCentral Maryland Regional Transit
Chief executiveJames B. Perez[1]
Finance and Administration DirectorBeverly Walenga
Websitewww.transitrta.com

Central Maryland Regional Transit was a bus system serving the greater Laurel, Maryland area and parts of the neighboring Anne Arundel, Prince George's, and Howard counties.[2][3][4] Former service into Montgomery County ended in January 2010 due to a lack of funding,[5] though a re-expansion to the county was sought.[1]

CMRT was founded as the Corridor Transportation Corporation in May 1987 by the Baltimore Washington Corridor Chamber, and began its transit operation as Connect-a-Ride two years later with nine buses serving five routes.[1][6] The non-profit organization gained independence and changed its name in the early 2010 timeframe,[1] and the bus service rebranded to the same name in early 2013.[3][4]

In 2014, Howard County initiated its own Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland, recruiting Anne Arundel County to join. CMRT bid on providing services to these regions after July 1, but lost to First Transit.[7]

Despite no longer running transit operations as of July 1, 2014, CMRT continued operation as a 501(c)(3), nonprofit organization, specifically dedicated to providing mobility management services such as Travel Training and a website and call center branded the Transportation Resource Information Point. CMRT's Travel Training program was "a comprehensive training program designed to teach people the necessary skills to travel safely and independently on fixed-route public transportation" and "...intended for individuals with disabilities, senior citizens, students and low-income families."[8] The Transportation Resource Information Point was a one-call, one-click resource designed to provide regional transit information throughout Central Maryland.[9] Both programs serve a six-county region including Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, Howard, and Prince George's Counties, and including the City of Baltimore.[8]

By January 2018, CMRT had become the Center for Mobility Equity.[10][11]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Robbins, Lindsey (February 1, 2013). "Well-traveled Perez takes reins at Maryland transit nonprofit". The Gazette. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  2. ^ "Central Maryland Regional Transit names interim chief executive officer". Baltimore Sun. April 24, 2012. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  3. ^ a b Bowerman, Hayley Gable (May 7, 2013). "Central Maryland Regional Transit Unveils Rebranding". Arundel Voice. Archived from the original on November 5, 2014. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  4. ^ a b Glenn, Gwendolyn (April 5, 2013). "CMRT rolls out new logo, branding of local buses". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  5. ^ "Connect-A-Ride Route D ends Jan. 29". Laurel Leader. January 20, 2010. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved October 26, 2013.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  6. ^ "CMRT History". Central Maryland Regional Transit. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  7. ^ Amanda Yeager (March 27, 2014). "Howard, Anne Arundel join to form new Regional Transportation Agency". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  8. ^ a b "Travel Training". Central Maryland Regional Transit. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
  9. ^ "Maryland Transportation Resource Information Point". mdtrip.org. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
  10. ^ "History of TRIP & Membership". MDTRIP. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
  11. ^ "Posts". CMRT. January 18, 2018. Retrieved August 21, 2019 – via Facebook. Please note that CMRT is now the Center for Mobility Equity.