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MTA riders plead with state to save commuter buses here
913 route is focus of hearing
Friday, Nov. 28, 2008
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Riders of the Maryland Transit Administration's commuter buses pleaded with state officials last week to spare the 913 route from budget cuts, arguing that other lines are too crowded to use.
More than 70 people appeared at a public hearing held by MTA at the Jaycees center in Waldorf, and 24 of them spoke against a proposed elimination of the 913 line or cuts to other lines.
To cover a $5.4 million hole in its fiscal 2009 commuter budget, MTA has proposed slashing bus and train services in the Baltimore and Washington metropolitan areas. Officials are proposing to eliminate holiday service, reduce service on three bus lines and eliminate six others, including the 913. The agency itself is absorbing an additional $25 million in cuts in administrative expenses.
The 913 is an express line stopping at South Potomac Church in White Plains; Regency Furniture Stadium and the Mattawoman-Beantown park and ride lot in Waldorf; and Federal Center and the Metro station in Suitland. Like other lines being considered for elimination, it carries around 250 passengers a day, far fewer than the 1,100-passenger average for Washington bus routes.
"We certainly do realize we don't have a good alternative for the elimination of the 913," said MTA planner Glenn Saffran before the hearing began.
Several 913 riders insisted that the bus is their only convenient public transportation option. "If you cut out the 913 that picks us up, the 903 is already full," said Doris Duvall, referring to the popular Charlotte Hall-to-Washington, D.C., route. Duvall said she drives from Lusby every day to catch the 913.
"When I rode the 903, I'd have to get to Mattawoman a half an hour early just to get a seat," said Catherine Hayes of La Plata. Hayes predicted that the 903 would be too crowded to guarantee 913 workers a ride home. She asked, "Are we going to call [contractor] Keller and say, ‘Can you come and get us?'"
MTA is scheduled to make a decision on cuts Jan. 12. Riders can still comment in writing until Dec. 26 by e-mail to commuterbus@mtamaryland.com or by mail to Glenn Litsinger, MTA Office of Customer Information, 6 St. Paul St., Baltimore, MD 21202.
jfriess@somdnews.com
