Maryland Department of Transportation

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Workgroup on the Reorganization of the Maryland Transit Administration

Background: The Workgroup on the Reorganization of the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) was established by HB 517 to study the potential of the reorganizing the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and MTA. The Workgroup comprises legislators, representatives from regional government bodies, MDOT, MTA, and MTA riders. Members specified in the legislation or selected by Governor Wes Moore. MDOT and the Department of Legislative Services (DLS) provide staff support to the Workgroup.

In studying the potential for reorganizing MTA and MDOT, the Workgroup shall consider alternative reorganization plans, weigh the costs and benefits, identify current contractual obligations and agreements of MTA and the necessary steps to transfer obligation and agreements in the event of reorganization, provide cost estimates for any reorganization plan, and analyze the impact of any potential reorganizations on federal funding and regulatory compliance. Specifically, the Workgroup will include options for allowing MTA to continue to provide core Baltimore service, while creating a statewide transit unit within The Secretary’s Office (TSO) and governance changes to the MTA necessary to ensure that Baltimore City has the appropriate oversight and input into core Baltimore transit services.

On or before December 1, 2026, the Workgroup shall develop recommendations regarding the potential for reorganization and submit its findings to the Governor and Maryland General Assembly. In addition, MDOT, in consultation with DLS, shall submit draft legislation to effectuate the recommendations of the Workgroup to the Presiding Officers.

2025 Meeting Schedule:

The Workgroup on the Reorganization of the Maryland Transit Administration will hold in-person meetings in the Governor’s Reception Room located at 100 State Circle, 2nd Floor, Annapolis, MD 21401 or at the Secretary's Office located at 7201 Corporate Center Drive, Hanover, MD 21076. All meetings will be livestreamed, and meeting agendas will be posted in advance of the meetings. Please confirm the meeting's location on the posted agendas.

Public comments will be accepted when noted on the meeting agenda. The Workgroup’s approved public participation policy is available here.

The Governor's Reception Room Livestream is available here: https://vimeo.com/event/4067005

The Secretary’s Office online meeting for Meeting #4 is available here: https://bit.ly/HB517M4.

Workgroup on the Reorganization of the Maryland Transit Administration Roster:

Name Organization
Delegate Mark Edelson Chair or Designee, House Appropriations Committee
Delegate Marc Korman Chair or Designee, House Environment and Transportation Committee
Senator Cory McCray Chair or Designee, Senate Budget and Taxation Committee
Senator Michael Jackson Chair or Designee, Senate Budget and Taxation Committee’s Public Safety, Transportation, and Environment Subcommittee
Acting Secretary Samantha Biddle The Secretary of Transportation, or Designee
Administrator Holly Arnold The Maryland Transit Administrator, or Designee
Jon Laria Chair or Designee, Baltimore Region Transit Commission
Mike Kelly Representative or Designee of the local Metropolitan Planning Organization for Baltimore City
Sameer Sidh, Chair MTA Rider, Appointed by the Governor
Wesley “Wes” Mitchell MTA Rider, Appointed by the Governor

For additional information: Please contact Sean Winkler, MDOT, ([email protected]), Samuel Quist, DLS, ([email protected]), and T. Patrick Tracy, DLS, ([email protected]).