Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland
Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland, locally referred to as the RTA, is a transit organization developed to establish a more effective and efficient public transportation system across Central Maryland. The RTA is made up of multiple jurisdictions including Anne Arundel County, Howard County, City of Laurel and Northern Prince George's County. The RTA combined the management and administrative functions of multiple transit operations, reducing operating costs by over 10%, and provided a better customer service experience by improving connections across Central Maryland. The Commission allows all of the participating jurisdictions the ability to oversee transit management operations.
In 2014, Howard County initiated the Regional Transit Agency of Central Maryland, recruiting Anne Arundel County to join areas served by Central Maryland Regional Transit claiming the centralized authority initiated, managed and funded through Howard County would save money in contract expenses. CMRT bid on providing services to these regions after July 1, but lost to First Transit.
In 2014, Howard County broke ground on a $7.2 million bus terminal at Savage, Maryland designed to house 120 buses.
System
, RTA operates 16 bus routes in Howard County, Anne Arundel County, Prince George's County, and the city of Laurel.Route | Route Name | Termini | Areas Served | Transfers |
301 | South Laurel | Town Centre Laurel South Laurel Drive | Laurel | RTA 302, 409, 502, 503 Metrobus 87, 89, 89M |
302 | Greenbelt Metro Station | Town Centre Laurel Greenbelt Metro Station | Laurel Beltsville Greenbelt | Metro Green Line MARC Train RTA 301, 409, 502, 503 Metrobus 87, 89, 89M |
Route | Route Name | Termini | Areas Served | Transfers |
501 | Columbia / Arundel Mills | Mall in Columbia Arundel Mills | Jessup South Elkridge | MTA Maryland 75, 201, 203, 305, 310, 315, 320, 325 Metrobus B30 RTA 302, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408, 409, 502, 503 |
502 | Laurel / Arundel Mills | Town Centre Laurel Arundel Mills | Laurel Maryland City | Metrobus 87, 89, 89M, Z7 MTA Maryland 17, 201 RTA 301, 302, 409, 501 |
503 | Laurel / Columbia | Mall in Columbia Town Centre Laurel | Laurel Savage Owen Brown | Metrobus 87, 89, 89M, Z7 MTA Maryland 17, 201, 203, 310, 320 RTA 301, 302, 404, 405, 406, 408, 409, 501 |
Hubs
RTA has a number of transit hubs where numerous bus lines meet. They include:- Arundel Mills
- Mall in Columbia
- Town Centre Laurel
Fares
Type | Fare |
Regular Fare/per trip | $2.00 |
Daily Pass *sold on bus | $5.00 |
Transfer *MTA Charm Card and WMATA SmarTrip Cards accepted at designated stops | $1.00 |
Children Under 5-years-old | Free |