Issue Position: Transforming Public Transit in Baltimore

Issue Position

Brooke believes that strong public transportation is one key to making Baltimore a city where everyone can thrive. We should be proud of our dense, walkable neighborhoods -- but we must acknowledge that our public transit is not what we need it to be. We have many great public transportation options in Baltimore - buses, the Circulator, the light rail, the water taxi, and the subway - but they're not always reliable and accessible, so many people continue to depend on cars to get from home to work and from neighborhood to neighborhood.

This car dependency creates traffic and parking problems for those with cars, and livability problems for those without them - workers who can't get to their jobs on time, young people and seniors who can't get to the grocery store, and more. This also creates problems for City growth: we want 10,000 families to move into Baltimore, but we don't want them to bring 20,000 cars with them.

Strengthening our City's transportation requires State-level solutions. Baltimore City is the only urban jurisdiction in Maryland where public transportation is entirely the responsibility of the State (with the exception of the Circulator). Brooke will be the voice we need in the General Assembly to advocate for the transportation needs of Baltimore residents. Some of her ideas include:

NextBus Technology: Brooke will seek long-overdue upgrades to existing transportation infrastructure, like the "Next Bus" GPS technology that already serves the Circulator so well, and which is used in Washington, D.C.
Integrated Transit Plans: Brooke will work to ensure that new infrastructure projects like the Red Line are part of an integrated transportation plan for the City -- it should be possible to take the Water Taxi to a Bus or a Train to easily get to your job or home.
Increased Pedestrian and Bike Infrastructure: Brooke will seek State funding for better pedestrian infrastructure -- smooth sidewalks, curb ramps for strollers and wheelchairs, pedestrian lighting, and countdown crossing signals. The State should create a program to fund walkability initiatives in municipalities like Baltimore. Brooke will also push for funding for expanded bike infrastructure to make the City a safe and enjoyable place for bikers.
Increased Accountability and Transparency: MTA, which runs the vast majority of our public transit, does not have a Board of Directors that is responsive to the needs of transit users and City residents. Brooke will work with MDOT to create a Committee that is required to take input from citizens and has approval authority over fare changes, capital budget, hiring for key positions, and service changes. Other Maryland counties have similar entities, and it is time for Baltimore and the MTA to be responsive to the needs of its riders.
Re-energizing the Baltimore Metropolitan Council so that funding is allocated throughout the region in a way that minimizes sprawl and incentivizes city living.
MTA is not working well for Baltimoreans today. Brooke will work with State officials to make sure that it gets on track, so that Baltimore residents, including those in District 46, can get where they need to go quickly and safely.

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