COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT RESULTS  

Pie chart titled ‘Is this your first time learning about the Transportation Planning Budget?’ showing 71% (15 respondents) answered ‘Yes’ and 29% (6 respondents) answered ‘No,’ with a total of 21 respondents.

Thank you to the nearly 30 people who shared comments on this year's budget. We were excited to have 15 new folks join the discussion this year!  Check out highlights of comments and how the board responded. Then, let us know how we did by taking our post-engagement survey!

Key Themes

The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) received public feedback focused on three key themes: 

  1. better transit,
  2. safer streets, and
  3. more options beyond driving.

What people said:

  • Public transit should be more reliable, frequent, and dependable
  • Walking and biking need to be safer and better connected
  • Improve regional transit connections and bus service
  • Provide more transportation choices, not just driving (as not are all able to do) 

Graphic showing participant quotes about transportation priorities on a blue background. Quotes include: ‘Reliable, timely public transportation is essential,’ ‘Finish projects already in process more quickly,’ ‘Quick-build projects can make walking and biking safer,’ ‘More planning for safe opportunities for non-drivers to move around the community,’ ‘We need dense, compact communities that support non-automobile travel,’ and ‘Include training and support to local jurisdictions.’

How BRTB Responded 

  • Clarified BRTB’s role: The BRTB plans and coordinates funding, but does not build or operate projects. For example, we don’t run transit—but we help plan and fund improvements with partners like MDOT MTA and Locally Operated Transit Systems like RTA Maryland, Harford Transit, and others. 
  • Investing in safer, more connected travel: Funding supports bike network improvements through the Bikeable Baltimore Region plan, along with safety programs like Vision Zero. 
  • Planning for better transit:  Studies will explore regional rail coordination, define what Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) means in our region, and evaluate options like microtransit.
  • Supporting better land use + transit: Work is underway to support transit-oriented development (TOD) and more connected, walkable communities.
  • Looking ahead: Not all ideas can be included right away, but many will help shape future plans and priorities.

View full list of responses to public comments on the FY 2027 transportation planning budget in pdf or see the discussion on the BRTB FY 2027 Budget page at yourregionyourvoice.org/BRTBbudget. 

    What Changed Because of Comments: 

    ✔ Increased budget for congestion planning 
        (Note: planning funds cannot be used to build roads)

    ✔ Clarified the purpose of the driverless vehicle study

    ✔ Added focus on defining Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) standards

    ✔ Strengthened work connecting land use and transit

    ✔ Continued investment in bike and safety programs

    What we're doing

    Investing in safety and bike projects, studying transit improvements, and planning for a more connected, multimodal transportation system.

    Infographic titled ‘Transportation Planning Budget: Outreach & Engagement’ showing engagement metrics and growth over time. Metrics include 436 visitors, 28 participants, 46 comments, 50 subscribers, 1,864 emails sent, and a 6.4% conversion rate, with a note that reminder emails drove the strongest engagement. A bar chart shows participation increasing from 2 participants in 2020–2022, to 5 in 2023, 16 in 2024, 27 in 2025, and 28 in 2026, highlighting a 460% increase following a 2024 plain language rebranding to ‘Budget.’

     

     

    How did we do? Take our Survey!