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MTA budget hearing focuses on Purple/Red Line projects, apprenticeships, paratransit and calls to fully fund 'Be More Bus'
Summary
MTA and MDOT officials outlined FY27 spending increases, project timelines (Purple Line >87% complete; light rail modernization procurement underway), apprenticeship expansion, and audit follow‑ups. Dozens of union, business and community witnesses urged full funding of the Be More Bus plan and an immediate commitment to a fifth bus division and expanded frequency.
Samuel Quist, the Department of Legislative Services analyst, briefed the subcommittee on the Maryland Transit Administration’s FY27 allowance, reporting a $71.1 million (5.4%) operating increase to about $1.4 billion and a $125.9 million (15.8%) capital increase to roughly $921.6 million. Quist emphasized that FY25 ridership remained below pre‑pandemic FY19 levels (about 75% of FY19) and flagged capital priorities in the Consolidated Transportation Program such as the Purple Line, Red Line preliminary design, light rail modernization and the Frederick Douglass Tunnel.
Acting MDOT Secretary Katie Thompson and MTA Administrator Holly Arnold told lawmakers the agency is delivering key milestones: new metro rail cars are being assembled in Hagerstown, 28 light rail vehicles for the Purple Line have been delivered,…
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