Carroll County Times Articles
Carroll's Transit Options
Could Improve if Demand Exists
by Donald C. Fry – August 6, 2006
Though Carroll County residents don't think about it every day, one could argue that the technology of transportation has been a major factor in shaping the county's development.
Carroll County Origins
In 1836, when Carroll County was founded, it was literally on the road to everywhere because the major transportation technology of that day was rail. Carroll's eight incorporated towns all developed along major railroad lines to the west through the county.
Since the 1970s, growth in Westminster, Hampstead, and South Carroll has been fueled by today's dominant transportation technology -- the gasoline engine; and the proximity of interstate highways, which are becoming increasingly congested.
Better Regional Transit System
That's why Carroll residents have a stake in the development of a bigger and better regional transit system. Of more than 77,000 Carroll residents who commute, fewer than half stay in the county, with the rest leaving for jobs in Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Howard County, and the Washington, D.C. region, according to the 2000 U.S. Census. Carroll residents have the longest average commute time in the region and the highest percentage of workers who drive alone to work.
The lack of public transit options means county roads are clogged, summer air pollution is worse, and household budgets are strained by rising gasoline costs. There are potential solutions, however, to gain better access to transit for Carroll residents.
Metro Subway Station in Owings Mills
One option worth considering would be to implement a shuttle service to the Metro Subway Station in Owings Mills. The station has excellent access to and from I-795, free parking, and the Metro runs late into the evening. Work is underway on a major mixed-use commercial development at the station. It will include retail, housing, a new public library branch, and a community college facility, all within an attractive, pedestrian-oriented "village."
Travel time from Owings Mills to downtown Baltimore is just 25 minutes, and the Metro is on schedule 99 percent of the time. Once downtown, riders can transfer to dozens of bus lines, as well as Light Rail, to reach stations all the way to BWI Airport. Light Rail runs every 20 minutes, and a trip to the airport takes 34 minutes.
Maryland Transit Administration Expansion
For Carroll residents, planning that is now underway to expand the rail network in the region holds the promise of greatly increasing the usefulness of Metro. The Maryland Transit Administration has begun planning the Red Line, a 10-mile east-west line that will connect directly with the Metro downtown. This means a Carroll resident could reach destinations from Woodlawn to Canton on a fast and reliable rapid transit line. Construction work on the Red Line is targeted to begin in 2010.
Transit officials are also studying a three-mile extension of the Metro beyond the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, ending near Morgan State University. This is the first step in a plan to eventually extend the Metro to White Marsh.
Another near-term transit option for Carroll residents would be to implement a network of express commuter buses from the county directly to job centers around the region such as Woodlawn, Towson, BWI, and Columbia. In Southern Maryland, more than 5,000 people ride such buses into Washington D. C. each day. The number of buses can be quickly adjusted to match the demand, and riders find the quiet, roomy coaches far more comfortable that driving alone on the Beltway.
Expanding Transit Within the County
Finally, if Carroll seeks to consider expanding transit within the county between Westminster, Eldersburg and other towns, it has a good model next door in Howard County. That system features comfortable buses and well-marked stops. Real-time schedules are at key stops and riders can check the Internet before leaving their houses to see if a bus is on time.
Admittedly, the concept of transit is currently not top of mind for most Carroll commuters. But transit options are available if the demand exists. And they will improve in the future as the region's transit infrastructure evolves into a comprehensive system.
About the Author
Donald C. Fry is President of the Greater Baltimore Committee, which is a partner of the Carroll Technology Council. a non-profit organization dedicated to educating businesses, government and residents about technology issues. Questions are welcomed and may be addressed in future articles. Email advisors@carrolltechcouncil.org or go to www.carrolltechcouncil.org for a list of Advisor categories.
The viewpoints expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Carroll Technology Council.
