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Transit advocates weigh in on Maryland's $2B transportation shortfall
Transit advocates weigh in on Maryland’s $2B transportation shortfall
TRANSPORTATION NEWS/ANALYSIS By Ethan Goffman (Contributor) January 16, 2024
Newer MARC train at Silver Spring by Adam Fagen used with permission.
Facing a transportation budget shortfall of $2.1 billion from 2024 to 2029, the state of Maryland is planning to eliminate all new road and transit projects, sparing only those projects already funded in their capital plan. Road and transit operating budgets will be reduced by eight percent. A decline in fuel tax revenue, inflation, and the end of federal stimulus aid has hit Maryland’s Transportation Trust Fund hard, sapping it of revenue.
To achieve that reduction, Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Secretary Paul Wiedefeld have announced a slew of transit service cuts. The cuts to statewide bus service are particularly severe, with a possible elimination of all commuter bus services.
In response, transit advocates are arguing the Moore administration must raise additional revenue to stave off the worst of the planned transit service eliminations. Otherwise, they believe, the slashed budget will seriously undermine Maryland’s climate and social equity goals.
{snip}
TRANSPORTATION NEWS/ANALYSIS By Ethan Goffman (Contributor) January 16, 2024
Newer MARC train at Silver Spring by Adam Fagen used with permission.
Facing a transportation budget shortfall of $2.1 billion from 2024 to 2029, the state of Maryland is planning to eliminate all new road and transit projects, sparing only those projects already funded in their capital plan. Road and transit operating budgets will be reduced by eight percent. A decline in fuel tax revenue, inflation, and the end of federal stimulus aid has hit Maryland’s Transportation Trust Fund hard, sapping it of revenue.
To achieve that reduction, Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Secretary Paul Wiedefeld have announced a slew of transit service cuts. The cuts to statewide bus service are particularly severe, with a possible elimination of all commuter bus services.
In response, transit advocates are arguing the Moore administration must raise additional revenue to stave off the worst of the planned transit service eliminations. Otherwise, they believe, the slashed budget will seriously undermine Maryland’s climate and social equity goals.
{snip}
