Updated as of July 30, 2024.
Many of us get rides from friends and use ride-share services, like Lyft and Uber, but we do well to remember a much older ride-share option: Public transportation. While most public transportation does not offer the door-to-door convenience of services like Lyft and Uber, they also cost a lot less than those services.
Another bonus: reducing our carbon footprints. Public transportation allows for more efficient per-person travel, so we can greatly reduce both the cost and the amount of fuel used to help us get from here to there.
Baltimore Metropolitan Area
Baltimore City
Charm City Circulator
Free bus service to destinations in Baltimore City; No tickets or passes needed
Harbor Connector
Free ferry service connecting piers in the Inner Harbor in Baltimore
BaltimoreLink
Through the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA), the Baltimore area enjoys many public transit options.
Services offered
CityLink: Offers frequent, 24-hour service, forms a downtown grid
LocalLink: Operates on neighborhood streets between the CityLinks
Express BusLink: Offers limited-stop service from suburb-to-suburb and suburb-to-downtown.
Schedules
But that’s just the beginning. MTA also provides train and subway options. Light RailLink offers transportation between the Baltimore-Washington Airport and Hunt Valley, Maryland – and 28 more stops in between! Metro SubwayLink has a dozen stops between its end points of Owings Mills and Johns Hopkins, and MARC (Maryland Area Rail Commuter) trains offer transportation to and from Washington, D.C.
Fares
Baltimore County
Baltimore County Circulator/Towson Loop
Fare
Free
Areas served
North to South Towson
East to West Towson
Service times
Monday through Friday, 6 am to midnight and Saturday, 10 am to midnight.
Runs every 15 to 20 minutes during the following hours of operation for each route
BaltimoreLink
Through the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA), the Baltimore area enjoys many public transit options.
Services offered
CityLink: Offers frequent, 24-hour service, forms a downtown grid
LocalLink: Operates on neighborhood streets between the CityLinks
Express BusLink: Offers limited-stop service from suburb-to-suburb and suburb-to-downtown.
Schedules
But that’s just the beginning. MTA also provides train and subway options. Light RailLink offers transportation between the Baltimore-Washington Airport and Hunt Valley, Maryland – and 28 more stops in between! Metro SubwayLink has a dozen stops between its end points of Owings Mills and Johns Hopkins, and MARC (Maryland Area Rail Commuter) trains offer transportation to and from Washington, D.C.
Fares
Anne Arundel County
All Anne Arundel transit routes are FREE!
Anne Arundel Bus Service Transit Routes
Link to Rules for Anne Arundel Transit Riders
On-Demand Services – Call N’ Ride
South County Call N’ Ride
An on-demand transit service that is provided in three (3) zones to connect south county residents to northern county service areas.
Link to South County Call N’ Ride brochure
North County Call N’ Ride
An on-demand transit service that is provide a connection for north county residents to north county service areas. Includes service to Ft. Meade at the Rt 175/Mapes Rd gate.
Link to North County Call N’ Ride brochure
Transit App allows you to check nearby departures and track your ride, among other transit-related tasks. Find out more on the How to Use the App web page.
Harford County
Harford Transit LINK
Serves Harford County with seven routes
Fares
One-way: General public: $1.00; Persons with disabilities and seniors: 50 cents
Harford County has an app for that
Passio GO! app to review bus schedules and track bus in real time
Token Transit app to load and spend funds for a cashless/touch-free ride
Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area
Montgomery County
Montgomery County’s Ride On
Ride On Routes and Schedules
Almost one hundred routes throughout Montgomery County
Fares
Regular fare: $1.00 using SmarTrip, cash, or token
MetroAccess Customers: Free at all times
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro)
Metro provides many public transportation options in the Washington, DC area.
Schedules for Matro Rail and Bus routes
Reduced Fare programs
- Customers with a Disability under age 65
- U-Pass College Student Program
- Metro Lift
Prince George’s County
Prince George’s County’s TheBus
Fixed route system consists of 26 routes that cover more than 10,000 miles throughout the County
Operates Monday through Saturday, 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (varies by route)
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro)
Metro provides many public transportation options in the Washington, DC area.
Schedules for Matro Rail and Bus routes
Reduced Fare programs
- Customers with a Disability under age 65
- U-Pass College Student Program
- Metro Lift
Central Maryland
Howard County
The Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland offers both public and paratransit services in Howard County.
Routes and schedules: RTA currently offers fourteen different routes
Download and review up-to-date route information
At this time, two routes, numbers 406 and 414, are not operating
Transit App
Provides real-time information about the location of buses and stops
- Download the free Transit app in the Apple App Store
- Download the free Transit app in the Google Play Store
Fares
$2 one-way fares; Day and multi-day passes are available
Person with a Disability: FREE with Medicare card or RTA identification card
Carroll County
The Carroll Transit System offers fixed routes called TrailBlazers, which are open to the public and run Monday – Friday from 7 am until 4:30 pm.
Trailblazer routes serve Westminster, Taneytown, and North Carroll County.
Fares
$2.00/one-way
50% discount for all students enrolled at Carroll Community College or McDaniel College on all transportation on TrailBlazer service, regardless of destination
Fredrick County
Transit Services of Fredrick County
Offers a variety of public transportation options, and all are free to any passenger.
Connector Routes operate in the City of Frederick and urbanized areas of Frederick County.
Commuter shuttles and two Meet-the-MARC shuttles operate each weekday.
Connector and Shuttle Buses
Fare: $0; Currently, all Transit Services of Fredrick County public transportation services are available at no cost.
Meet-the-MARC Service
The Meet-the-MARC Service offers commuters transport from several outlying areas to either the Point-of-Rocks MARC train station or the Frederick Transit Center. Find details of this service in the Meet-the-MARC Current Service Rider Bulletin. Currently, the Meet-the-MARC Service is free.
Western Maryland
Washington County
Washington County Transit
Offers fixed route public transportation across the county Monday through Saturday.
Areas served
- Funkstown
- Halfway
- Long Meadow
- Maugansville
- Robinwood
- Smithsburg
- Valley Mall
- Williamsport
- Throughout the city of Hagerstown
Fares
Adult (18-59): $1.25
Senior (60+) /Disabled/Military-Veteran (ID required): Peak: $0.95 and Off-Peak: $0.60
Allegany County
Allegany County Transit
Offers a fixed route bus system that operates Monday through Friday. All routes originate in Downtown Cumberland on Frederick Street and offer service to:
- LaVale
- Cresaptown
- Frostburg
- Frostburg State University Campus
- Midland
- Lonaconing
- Barton
- Westernport
Fares
$2.00; No transfer fees
Half-fares available, must complete a downloadable Half Fare application to receive an ACT-issued half fare card.
Garrett County
Garrett Transit Service (GTS)
Offers a shared-ride, door-to-door, advanced reservation service offered on a space-available basis to all residents of Garrett County. There is no special paratransit service. Trips outside of Garrett County and neighboring West Virginia are also available.
Fares
$2.00: General Public (per 16 miles) in the Oakland Area
$1.50: Senior Citizens (Age 60+) in the Oakland Area
Southern Maryland
Calvert County
Calvert County Department of Community Resources
Provides public bus transportation to link residents with major shopping, medical and employment areas, as well as with public services available in Prince Frederick.
Fares
$0
As of July 1, 2024, ALL Calvert County transportation services are available free of charge.
Services
Eight weekday routes
Three Saturday routes
St. Mary’s County
St. Mary’s County Transit System (STS)
Offers public transportation routes operate from Charlotte Hall to Leonardtown, California, and Lexington Park and Ridge.
Fares
General public: One Way Trip: $1.00; Transfer Fee: $0.50
Persons with disabilities: One Way Trip: $0.50; Transfer Fee: $0.25
All Day, Monthly, and Summer Youth Cruiser passes available
Discount & reduced tickets (purchased in sheets of 10 tickets) also available
Charles County
The VanGO bus system consists of 17 routes serving Charles County including connections to Calvert, St. Mary’s, and Prince George’s Counties; check out the downloadable VanGO Transit Guide
Fares
$0
All VanGO transportation services are available free of charge.
Real-time information via TripShot app
TripShot app includes live bus tracking, real-time schedule updates, custom notifications for arrivals and delays, and trip planning among other capabilities.
- Download the TripShot app from the Apple App Store
- Download the TripShot app from the Google Play Store
Eastern Shore
Cecil County
Fares
General public: Single Ride: $2
Reduced fare (including persons with disabilities): Single Ride: $1
Daily, weekly, and monthly passes available
Routes
- Glasgow Connection Route #1
- Cross-County Connection Route #2
- Elkton-Newark Connection Route #4
- Harford LINK – Teal Line
Queen Anne’s County
County Ride
County Ride provides fixed route transportation services for individuals in Queen Anne’s County.
Fare
No fee for County Ride services through December 31, 2024.
Download 2024 County Ride Route schedules
MUST (Maryland Upper Shore Transit)
Maryland Upper Shore Transit (MUST) is a collaborative public transportation effort between Delmarva Community Transit and County Ride.
Services offered
MUST offers 17 routes and two shuttles to provide fixed route services to the general public throughout Maryland’s Mid-and-Upper Eastern Shore in the following counties: Queen Anne’s, Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, and Talbot.
Additionally, MUST riders can travel to Wicomico, Worcester and Somerset counties by connecting with Shore Transit services.
Fares
Vary, based on route; Discounts available for individuals with disabilities, for students, and for seniors
Passes available from both DCT and County Ride
Caroline County
MUST (Maryland Upper Shore Transit)
Maryland Upper Shore Transit (MUST) is a collaborative public transportation effort between Delmarva Community Transit and County Ride.
Services offered
MUST offers 17 routes and two shuttles to provide fixed route services to the general public throughout Maryland’s Mid-and-Upper Eastern Shore in the following counties: Queen Anne’s, Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, and Talbot.
Additionally, MUST riders can travel to Wicomico, Worcester and Somerset counties by connecting with Shore Transit services.
Fares
Vary, based on route; Discounts available for individuals with disabilities, for students, and for seniors
Passes available from both DCT and County Ride
Dorchester County
MUST (Maryland Upper Shore Transit)
Maryland Upper Shore Transit (MUST) is a collaborative public transportation effort between Delmarva Community Transit and County Ride.
Services offered
MUST offers 17 routes and two shuttles to provide fixed route services to the general public throughout Maryland’s Mid-and-Upper Eastern Shore in the following counties: Queen Anne’s, Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, and Talbot.
Additionally, MUST riders can travel to Wicomico, Worcester and Somerset counties by connecting with Shore Transit services.
Fares
Vary, based on route; Discounts available for individuals with disabilities, for students, and for seniors
Passes available from both DCT and County Ride
Kent County
MUST (Maryland Upper Shore Transit)
Maryland Upper Shore Transit (MUST) is a collaborative public transportation effort between Delmarva Community Transit and County Ride.
Services offered
MUST offers 17 routes and two shuttles to provide fixed route services to the general public throughout Maryland’s Mid-and-Upper Eastern Shore in the following counties: Queen Anne’s, Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, and Talbot.
Additionally, MUST riders can travel to Wicomico, Worcester and Somerset counties by connecting with Shore Transit services.
Fares
Vary, based on route; Discounts available for individuals with disabilities, for students, and for seniors
Passes available from both DCT and County Ride
Talbot County
MUST (Maryland Upper Shore Transit)
Maryland Upper Shore Transit (MUST) is a collaborative public transportation effort between Delmarva Community Transit and County Ride.
Services offered
MUST offers 17 routes and two shuttles to provide fixed route services to the general public throughout Maryland’s Mid-and-Upper Eastern Shore in the following counties: Queen Anne’s, Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, and Talbot.
Additionally, MUST riders can travel to Wicomico, Worcester and Somerset counties by connecting with Shore Transit services.
Fares
Vary, based on route; Discounts available for individuals with disabilities, for students, and for seniors
Passes available from both DCT and County Ride
Somerset County
Shore Transit
Offers five fixed routes
- Three routes Monday through Friday
- Two routes Monday through Sunday
Fares
General Public: $3.00
Senior/Disabled/Medicare: $1.50
Shore Transit Fixed Route Pass for unlimited bus rides (7-day, 14-day, 21-day, and 30-day passes available)
Wicomico County
Shore Transit
Offers five fixed routes
- Three routes Monday through Friday
- Two routes Monday through Sunday
Fares
General Public: $3.00
Senior/Disabled/Medicare: $1.50
Shore Transit Fixed Route Pass for unlimited bus rides (7-day, 14-day, 21-day, and 30-day passes available)
Worcester County
Shore Transit
Offers five fixed routes
- Three routes Monday through Friday
- Two routes Monday through Sunday
Fares
General Public: $3.00
Senior/Disabled/Medicare: $1.50
Shore Transit Fixed Route Pass for unlimited bus rides (7-day, 14-day, 21-day, and 30-day passes available)
Ocean City
Coastal Highway Beach Bus
Services offered
South Division Street Transit Station to/from 144th Street Transit Station
Fare
$4 Ride-All-Day fare ($2 reduced Ride-All-Day fare for individuals with disabilities)
Operational times
Summer: May 24 – September 15, 2024
Fall: September 16 – October 27, 2024
Ocean City Boardwalk Tram
Services offered
Atlantic Avenue (Boardwalk) South 1st Street Tram Station to/from 27th Street Tram Station
Fare
$5 Per-Person, Per-Boarding, One-Way
Operational times
West Ocean City Park-N-Ride Beach Bus
Services offered
South Division Street Transit Station to/from West Ocean City Park-N-Ride at 12848 Ocean Gateway, Ocean City, MD 21842
Fare
Free (except on designated special event dates)
Event day: $4 Ride-All-Day fare ($2 reduced Ride-All-Day fare for individuals with disabilities)
Operational times
Summer: May 24 – September 2, 2024
Event times:
Express Beach Bus Shuttle for Special Events
Service offered
OC AIRSHOW August 24 – 25, 2024
Sunfest October 24 – 27, 2024
Fare
$4 Ride-All-Day fare
$2 reduced Ride-All-Day fare for individuals with disabilities
Planning Your Adventure
It’s great to have public transportation resources available, and the next step is learning how to make them work for you. First, check out the available options, including operating hours and routes. Sometimes these can seem overwhelming, and the Free Bridges Helpdesk is always available to provide as much or as little assistance as you need – please feel free to call on us anytime.
Please contact the Free Bridges Helpdesk anytime
- Via our Accessible Web Form
- Email: Helpdesk@imagemd.org
- Visit our Bridges Helpdesk website
- Text or Leave a voice mail message: (410) 357-1546
This unique project is being coordinated through The IMAGE Center of Maryland, a center for independent living in Towson, and it is funded by a grant from the Maryland Department of Education Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services.