Commission News

BRTC Attends Metrorail Car Launch Event

BRTC staff and several commissioners attended a January 7 event celebrating the launch of new Metro Subway railcars into service. Hosted by the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) at the Johns Hopkins Metro Station, the event marked the first complete replacement of the Metro Subway fleet since the system opened in 1983. State and local leaders highlighted how the new railcars will provide a smoother, more comfortable, and more reliable ride for thousands of daily riders. The launch reflects years of work to modernize Baltimore’s transit system and improve the rider experience across the region.

As the 2026 Maryland General Assembly Session begins on January 14, the BRTC is launching an informational advocacy campaign to support strong, stable funding for the Baltimore region’s transit system. The campaign includes printed flyers with a QR code distributed at the Maryland State House that link to more details on the BRTC’s 2026 funding priorities and the MTA's major transit plans. These priorities focus on investing in core bus service through the BMORE BUS Plan, building essential bus facilities, modernizing light rail and rail infrastructure, and setting a clear path forward for the Red Line. The goal is to help decision-makers, transit advocates, and the public understand why steady transit funding matters and how it can deliver faster, more reliable service.

BRTC 2026 Meetings

The BRTC has scheduled the dates for its bi-monthly meetings for this year: January 23, March 6, May 1,  July 17, September 11, and November 13. 

• When: Fridays from 10am - 12:30pm
• Where: Baltimore Metropolitan Council,1500 Whetstone Way, Suite 300, Baltimore, Maryland 21230
• Online Option: Register for Zoom invite

Materials from past BRTC meetings, including agendas, recordings, and presentation handouts, are available online. 

Maryland Appoints New Transportation Secretary

Maryland has appointed Kathryn B. “Katie” Thomson as the new acting Secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation. Thomson brings more than 30 years of experience in transportation, including senior leadership roles at the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation. Her leadership comes as the state continues work on infrastructure modernization, safety, and connectivity across Maryland’s transportation networks.

Transit Benefit of the Month: Strong Communities

Access to transit often raises nearby property values 30 to 40% and sometimes as much as 150%.  Higher property values translate into more tax revenue.  Transit investment can spur new development around stations, expanding the local tax base to support schools, parks, and services in cities. It can even create a positive feedback loop that further improves transportation systems.

New year, new ride: Baltimore’s subway will have new railcars in service Friday

This Month in Transit History

• January 1, 1950 – Baltimore's Guilford Avenue Elevated Railway, the first elevated electric railway in the U.S., ended service after 57 years. The short line, built in 1893, ran just under a mile and was demolished shortly after it closed.

• January 7, 1830 - The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad opened its first section in Baltimore, one of the earliest U.S. rail lines to carry paying passengers.

• January 14, 1973 – WMATA took a major step toward creating Metrobus by depositing funds to acquire DC Transit and related bus companies, moving the region toward a publicly owned bus system.

• January 28, 1962 – The very last streetcar ran in Washington, D.C., ending the city's original streetcar era and marking a shift toward bus-based transit.