Key Points:
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Adds 5,600 fixed route service hours to the current system
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Increases fixed route service hours by 4%
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Adds 2 new Routes (403 and 414) to allow for direct/efficient routings and shorter ride times
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Adjust schedules to improve reliability
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Streamlines routes and schedules to be easier to understand and use such as the elimination of Loop A and Loop B on the existing Route 405
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Eliminates 2 hour frequencies to make service more convenient for riders
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Increases frequency to 30 minutes and one hour
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New or expanded service on Sunday on Routes 404, 405, 407, and 408
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Reduces service span on underperforming route such as Route 409 and Route 409B
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Reduces service on eves of Christmas, New Years and Thanksgiving
Summary of Key Service Changes By Route:
401 Clary’s Forest
Route Change: None
Key Service Change:
- More Monday to Friday midday half-hour service for successful route.
- Saturday service increases to every half-hour during the day.
403 Dorsey’s Search Village Center
Route Change: New Route (Serves part of Existing Route 405)
Key Service Change:
- Provides a direct connection and Sunday service to Columbia Town Center from Dorsey’s Search Village Center, Selbourne House, Red Branch Road, and Columbia 100 Parkway.
404 Hickory Ridge
Route Change: Split into 2 Routes – 404 & 414
Key Service Change:
- Increases service to every hour on Sundays. Robinson Nature Center will be served only Saturday and Sunday by request
- Route will terminate at Hickory Ridge
405 Ellicott City
Route Change: Elimination of Loops A & B, and Dorsey’s Search Village Center
Key Service Change:
- Reduces ride time between Ellicott City and Columbia Town Center by 30 percent
- Increases service to every hour on Saturday
- Expands to provide Sunday service with service every hour
- Dorsey’s Search Village Center will be served by the New Route 403
406 Columbia Gateway
Route Change: Shorter Routing
Key Service Change:
- Provides a more direct connection and reduced ride time to Snowden Square and the Howard County Complex in Gateway by 50%
407 Kings Contrivance
Route Change: Same w/ Minor Modification
Key Service Change:
- Increases frequency to half-hour between Columbia Mall and Owen during the daytime (Monday – Saturday)
- Columbia Medical Plan currently served by the route will be served by Route 408
408 Sherwood Crossing
Route Change: Serves Parts of Existing Route 406
Key Service Change:
- Increases service to every half-hour service between Columbia Mall and Columbia Crossing (Target)
- New hourly service on Sunday
- MD Food Center currently served by route will be served by Routes 409 and 501
- Oakland Mills currently served by route will be served by Route 407
- Stop on Tamar Drive and Carriage House Lane will no longer be served
409 & 409B Towne Centre Laurel/Elkridge
Route Change: Combined 409 & 409B
Key Service Change:
- Combines 409 & 409B to more efficient and easier to understand
- Reduces service span in the evenings due to low productivity
- Buses will maintain hourly service Monday to Saturday
- Eliminates service to underperforming locations such as Route 100 Industrial Park and Dorsey MARC Station (Savage MARC Station will continue to be served)
414 Kings Contrivance
Route Change: New Route (Serves part of Existing Route 404)
Key Service Change:
- Provides a direct connection the day between Kings Contrivance, Howard Community College and Columbia Mall, Monday to Friday
- Reduces ride time by 50%
501 Arundel Mills Mall
Route Change: Slight Modification for More Efficient Routing
Key Service Change:
- Increases to half-hour service between Columbia Mall and Snowden Square
- Broken Land Parkway Park and Ride will no longer be served due to low ridership
- Ride time to Arundel Mills Mall from Columbia Mall will be reduced by 11%
- Sunday service increases to every hour
