Transit leaders and advocates push for MTA state-of-good-repair funding as DLS outlines capital and staffing details

The House Appropriations Committee Transportation and Environment Subcommittee heard the Department of Legislative Services’ analysis of the Maryland Transit Administration’s (MTA) fiscal 2026 budget and public testimony urging the General Assembly to approve full funding for state-of-good-repair and capital modernization.

DLS presented an overview of the MTA operating and capital allowances and highlighted areas the subcommittee asked the agency to clarify, including staffing figures, capital cash-flow changes and timelines for major projects such as the Purple Line and the evolving Red Line alternatives.

The most consequential numbers

DLS told the committee the fiscal 2026 operating allowance grows by about $71 million to roughly $1.3 billion and the capital budget increases to roughly $753.8 million. The DLS presentation showed ridership returning toward, but still below, pre‑pandemic levels: fiscal 2024 ridership was about 68 million passenger trips, approximately 68% of fiscal 2019 totals. DLS also reported that MTA has secured more than $7.2 billion in federal discretionary awards for major projects (for FFY21–24), with large shares directed to the Frederick Douglass Tunnel and the Susquehanna River bridge work.

Why it matters

Lawmakers and witnesses said failure to fund state-of-good-repair needs would lead to more service disruptions, greater operating costs and regional economic harm, particularly for riders who lack alternative transportation. Testimony ranged from labor unions to health systems and business groups arguing that safer, more reliable service supports jobs, health-care access and regional economic development.

Staffing, positions and a noted inconsistency

DLS and MTA officials described several staffing increases tied to reliability, operations and safety. DLS summarized new positions in the FY26 allowance but the transcript records inconsistent counts: DLS listed “71 new positions total across operating and capital” while contemporaneously referencing “167 new positions” in operating for service reliability and MTA Police hires. Committee members and DLS asked MTA to reconcile those numbers in its written follow‑up.

Purple Line, hiring timeline and police positions

Administrator Holly Arnold and Secretary Paul Wiedefeld told the committee the Purple Line construction is about 75% complete and that revenue service remains scheduled for winter 2027, subject to systems work and testing. MTA asked for a multi-year hiring ramp to staff transit police for the Purple Line: Arnold explained that recruiting, academy training and on-the-job training typically require roughly a year to 18 months. “We want to make sure that we have the time to get folks on, get them through the academy, have them trained,” Arnold said, describing the timeline and retention challenges in competitive county markets.

Capital priorities and program changes

MTA and DLS discussed several capital items that affect near-term cash flows, including a $1.2 billion central light-rail modernization program, replacement of rail vehicles and a communications-based train-control rollout. Two notable legislative changes in the BRFAA addressed MTA: a delay in the statewide requirement to procure only zero‑emission buses from FY27 to FY32, and a statutory change to allow GARVEE bond proceeds to help fund light-rail rehabilitation.

Locally operated transit (LOTS) formula and reporting

MTA described a new formula for LOTS apportioned funding adopted for FY25 grants: the formula weights boardings, revenue vehicle miles and revenue vehicle hours (30% each) and population in poverty (10%); MTA said it also adopted a three‑year glide path to avoid sudden operating cuts for jurisdictions. The committee asked MTA for additional detail on implementation and distribution changes.

Testimony and stakeholder views

More than a dozen witnesses — including labor unions (Amalgamated Transit Union locals), business groups (Greater Baltimore Committee, Central Maryland Transportation Alliance), health systems (University of Maryland Medical Center) and civic organizations — urged the panel to approve the governor’s proposed funding package or to consider even greater investment. Common themes were reliability, equity and the economic role of transit. Ray Baker of the Building Trades Council and Lester Davis of CareFirst cited job creation and health‑access benefits linked to reliable transit; community advocates recounted missed medical appointments and lost work caused by breakdowns and cut service.

DLS recommendations and follow-up requests

DLS recommended concurrence with the governor’s allowance on capital and asked MTA for additional committee narrative — specifically bimonthly status updates for the Purple Line and clarification on route selection and NEPA for the Red Line’s Baltimore alignment. DLS also recommended releasing restricted funds linked to a December report on proposed bus-route changes in Baltimore because the report met required items.

Next steps

MTA committed to provide the committee written clarifications on the staffing counts, timelines for police hiring and updated information on planned capital cash flows. Committee members indicated they will follow up in writing on specific items not resolved during the hearing.

Ending note

Witnesses and agency leaders framed the budget as more than maintenance: they said the package is an investment in reliability, equity and economic opportunity and argued that underinvestment would result in worsening service and higher long-term costs. The committee requested detailed follow‑up on staffing counts, specific capital cash flows and Purple/Red Line schedules so lawmakers can weigh FY26 budget and financing decisions.