Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland
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The Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland, locally referred to as the RTA, is a transit organization providing fixed-route and paratransit services across Central Maryland. The RTA is made up of multiple jurisdictions including Anne Arundel County, Howard County, the City of Laurel, Northern Prince George's County, and Baltimore County.
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 A Central MD RTA bus in Jessup heading north to Arundel Mills Mall | |
| Founded | July 1, 2014 |
|---|---|
Commenced operation | July 1, 2014 |
| Locale | 8510 Corridor Road, Suite 110, Savage, Maryland 20763 |
| Service area | Anne Arundel, Howard County, City of Laurel, Northern Prince George's County, and Baltimore County |
| Service type | Fixed-route, Paratransit |
| Routes | 16 |
Annual ridership | 1,021,870 (FY2025)[1] |
| Fuel type | Diesel, gas, electric |
| Operator | Transdev |
General Manager | Jason Quan[2] |
| Website | http://www.transitRTA.com |
History
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.[3]
In 2014, Howard County broke ground on a $7.2 million bus depot at Savage, Maryland designed to house 120 buses.[4]
In 2023, RTA added route 505, the first route to serve Baltimore County.[5]
In October 2023, RTA released the final draft of the Central Maryland Transit Development Plan (TDP), proposing future changes and improvements to RTA bus service between fiscal years 2024 and 2028.[6]
Fares
Routes
As of August 2026[update], RTA operates 14 bus routes in Howard County, Anne Arundel County, Prince George's County, the city of Laurel, and Baltimore County. Most routes operate daily service unless otherwise noted.
300-Series routes (Prince George's County) In 2028 Route 301 will be extended to Bowie state university making stops along MD197
| Route | Name | Terminals | Areas served | Service | Headway | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 301 | South Laurel | Towne Centre Laurel | South Laurel Drive | Weekday service only | 60 min | ||
| 302 | Greenbelt Metro Station | Towne Centre Laurel | Greenbelt Metro Station | Weekday and Weekend service | 60 min | ||
400-Series routes (Howard County)
In 2023, an extension to Route 409 from Elkridge to Lansdowne and Halethorpe was proposed but it was delayed until 2026/2027[6]
| Route | Name | Terminals | Areas served | Service | Headway | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 401 | Harper's Choice / Clary's Forest | Mall in Columbia | Clary's Forest |
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| 403 | Executive Park Drive | Mall in Columbia | Columbia 100 Parkway | Dorsey's Search | 60 min | ||
| 404 | Hickory Ridge | Mall in Columbia | Hickory Ridge Village Center | 60 min | |||
| 405 | Ellicott City | Ellicott City Walmart | Pine Orchard Lane |
|
RTA 505 | No Sunday service, 60 min | |
| 407 | Owen Brown / Kings Contrivance | Mall in Columbia | King's Contrivance Village Center | 60 min | |||
| 408 | Lark Brown / Waterloo | Mall in Columbia | Waterloo Park | 60 min | |||
| 409 | Elkridge Corners | Towne Centre Laurel | Elkridge | No Sunday service | 60 min | ||
500-Series regional routes
The 501 is Proposed to start running to BWI airport in mid to late 2026
| Route | Name | Terminals | Areas served | Service | Headway | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 501 | Columbia / Arundel Mills | Mall in Columbia | Arundel Mills | 60 min |
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| 502 | Laurel / Arundel Mills | Towne Centre Laurel | Arundel Mills |
|
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| 503 | Laurel / Columbia | Mall in Columbia | Towne Centre Laurel | No Sunday service | 60 min | ||
| 505 | Columbia / Catonsville | Mall in Columbia | Catonsville Walmart | 60 min | |||
Hubs
RTA has a number of transit hubs where numerous bus lines meet. They include:
Active Fixed-route fleet
(As of July 29, 2026[update])
| Model | Fleet number | Quantity | Notes
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Eldorado EZ Rider 32' BRT | 1704-1710 | 7 | 1708 retired |
| 2018 Eldorado EZ Rider 32' BRT | 1801-1806 | 6 | 1806 retired |
| 2019 Eldorado EZ rider 32' BRT | 1901-1902 | 2 | |
| 2022 Eldorado EZ Rider 32' BRT | 2201-2211 | 11 |  |
| 2023 Eldorado EZ Rider 32' BRT | 2301-2302 | 2 | .png) |
| 2024 Eldorado EZ Rider 32' BRT | 72924-73224 | 4 | .png) |
| 2026 Gillig low floor 30' | 73326-73926 | 7 | should start delivery Q4 of 2026 |
Active Paratransit/ Light duty fleet
(As of July 29, 2026[update])
| Model | Fleet number | Quantity | Notes
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 C&E Phoenix 25ft Ford Cutaway | 200-204 | 5 | |
| 2015 C&E Phoenix 25ft Ford Cutaway | 205-212 | 8 | |
| 2017 C&E Phoenix 25ft Ford Cutaway | 213-220 | 8 | |
| 2019 ford transit | 225-229 | 5 | |
| 2023 C&E Phoenix 25ft Ford Cutaway | 230-241 | 12 | |
| 2024 C&E Phoenix 25ft Ford Cutaway | 24224-24324 | 2 |  |
| 2024 RAM Promaster | 30124-30424 | 4 | Primarily used on HoCo Rapid Ride Microtransit (launched in 2025) |
| 2025 C&E Phoenix (Shuttle Version) Ford Cutaway | 24425-24525 | 2 | primarily used on the OEC Trolley Shuttle route/ both are wrapped with the OEC Trolley Shuttle livery
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