MDOT - Maryland Department of Transportation
10/01/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/01/2024 11:25
Maryland Transit Administration to Begin Testing New Metro Subway Communications Based Train Control System
Shuttle Bus to Provide Service Between Stations During Closures October 4- 6
BALTIMORE, MD (October 1, 2024) - The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration today announced that all Metro Subway stations will close this weekend as the agency begins testing a new Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) system. The CBTC is a critical piece of infrastructure that will support the new Metro Subway railcars that will begin service in mid-2025. The first system testing is scheduled to occur the first weekend in October. All stations will close on Friday, October 4 at 8:00 p.m. and reopen on Monday, October 7 at 4:00 a.m. During this time, shuttle buses will transport riders between all stations every 30 minutes during regular service hours.
"We're excited to welcome our new Metro trains to Baltimore and a modern Communications Based Train Control System will ensure a successful transition," said Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold. "We are working hard to minimize disruptions, and we are grateful to our passengers for their patience during the testing period."
MTA will continue to keep riders informed through signage at each station and on vehicles, platform announcements, updates via social mediaand theMTA website, and the e-alert notification system. Transit Ambassadors also will be at Metro Subway stations to assist riders. Passengers needing additional information can contact the Transit Information Contact Center at 410-539-5000.
The train control system is part of the agency's $400 million investment in maintenance and system upgrades for the Metro Subway. The new CBTC system will provide improved real-time tracking and improve overall system performance and reliability. Ongoing testing will be required to ensure the new train control system is integrated with the legacy system. Additional testing requiring system closures is expected in November and December 2024, and in February, March and April 2025.
The Maryland Transit Administration is one of the largest multi-modal transit systems in the United States, and operates Local Bus, Commuter Bus, Light Rail, Metro Subway, MARC Train Service and a comprehensive Mobility paratransit system. The goal of the Maryland Transit Administration is to provide safe, efficient, reliable transit across Maryland with world-class customer service. To learn more, visit mta.maryland.gov, check us out on Facebook at facebook.com/mtamarylandand follow us on X, formerly Twitter @mtamaryland.