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Mass Transit Fund and BRT projects adjusted in FY26 plan; ride-on fleet and fare equipment spending reduced
Summary
The T&E Committee supported the executive’s FY26 Mass Transit Fund changes, including multi-year reductions in Ride On fleet and fare-equipment spending and programming for BRT planning, while holding a placeholder for the Flash BRT extension to Howard County.
The Transportation and Environment Committee recommended approval of most executive changes to the Mass Transit Fund for FY26. Committee members approved amendments reflecting decreased planned spending on Ride On fleet replacement ($13.2 million decrease over six years) and fare-equipment replacement ($8.3 million decrease), tied in part to the council decision to operate Ride On fare-free and defer capital fare-equipment replacement.
Staff described programming increases and planning/design dollars received under state bus rapid transit (BRT) programs for several corridors: Maryland 355 North/South (a large programming increase into later CIP years for the Opportunity Lanes project), MD 355 Central, and Veirs Mill Road. The packet identified a $140 million increase in programming for MD 355 North/South in the out years tied to state funding expectations.
The committee retained placeholder funding to extend the Flash bus rapid transit on Colesville Road (Route 29) to Howard County pending that jurisdiction’s decisions; funding is currently held as a placeholder until Howard County confirms its portion. The committee also placed the $250,000 transit ambassador item on reconciliation as noted in the fees resolution discussion.
The committee recommended these Mass Transit Fund changes unanimously, while noting continued coordination with state and regional partners on BRT project schedules and funding.
