Maryland Transit Times

This episode of MTA's Transit Times is dedicated to the Women in Transit and features MTA Director of Metro Operations Carissa Nichols and MTA Electronic Technician Aesha Darby discussing their careers and group support and participation.

Amy Freedman speaks with Ondoria Harmon Director of the Baltimore City Office on Older Adult Affairs. To discuss the 2nd annual Older Adults Thriving in Baltimore City Summit which is scheduled for Thursday, September 26th.

This edition is dedicated to Artscape and features Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts Chief Executive Officer Rachel Graham with information on the annual event which begins Friday.

This edition of MD. Transit Times is dedicated to AFRAM Saturday, June 22nd and Sunday, June 23rd at Baltimore's Druid Hill Park. Baltimore Department of Recreation and Parks Deputy Director of Administration Nicole Green discusses this annual celebration of African American culture, history and art.

MTA Manager of Metro Rail Car Maintenance Wilson Wallace discussing his MTA career, remembrances of Metro's start in this 40th Anniversary Year, and various milestone moments in Metro's history. #TEAW

Transit Times podcast host Amy Freedman interviews Deputy Administrator and WTS- Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership Award winner Minilla “Mini” Malhortra. Tune in now at https://on.soundcloud.com/8FviY #WomensHistoryMonth

This edition of MD. Transit Times features MTA Bus Roadeo Champion Antawan Briscoe discussing the MTA Rodeo, the national rodeo competition and his reign as champion.

This edition of MD. Transit Times is dedicated to the upcoming Older Adults Thriving in Baltimore Senior Health Summit taking place Tuesday, December 12th at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor.

Transit Times: MD State Fair 2023 by MTA Maryland

Transit Times host Amy Freedman speaks with Pride Parade Organizer Richard Finger. As well as MDOT MTA Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Kelly Fenner.

This Transit Times podcast is dedicated to the upcoming Jazz on the Rails event Saturday June 17th, 2023, The Steven P. Vann Foundation is presenting the 1st Annual Jazz on The Rails.

Transit Times host Amy Freedman sits down the MDOT MTA's Deputy Director of the Office of Customer and Community Relations, Eleni Flannery, to discuss Preakness in Maryland and how transit makes it easy to get there. Listen in!

MDOT MTA's Manager of Project Development in the Office of Planning, Jamie Richardson, talks about her career as an engineer, the women's STEM mentoring program she's a part of, and women engineers at the agency.

Transit Times host Amy Freedman sits down with MDOT MTA Acting Director of Metro Operations Carissa Nichols who discusses her career path and the important position she has within the agency.

Maryland Transit Times host Amy Freedman sits down with B&O Museum Executive Director Kris Hoellen to talk about the museum's new permanent exhibit- The Underground Railroad: Freedom Seekers on the B&O Railroad.

MDOT MTA Transit Times host Amy Freedman talks about the 20th Annual Pigtown Festival taking place Saturday October 8, 2022 from 12:00pm to 7:00pm. Accessible via the CityLink Yellow and a short walk from Light Rail at Camden Yards.

MDOT MTA Administrator Holly Arnold sits down with the Transit Times team to discuss the five year anniversary of the launch of BaltimoreLink and what the future holds

In celebration of Earth Month, Maryland Transit Times host Amy Freedman speaks with MDOT MTA's Environmental Planning Manager Lauren Molesworth about the agency's zero-emission bus pilot program.

As we come to the end of Women's History Month, Maryland Transit Times host Amy Freedman speaks with several of MDOT MTA's engineering superstars.

In this episode of Maryland Transit Times host, Amy Freedman talks about the new exhibit at the B&O Railroad Museum called "Working Women on the Rails". This tour will focus on pioneering women railroad workers throughout history and how their lives and achievements in the railroad industry have left a lasting impact on our world to this day. The B&O Railroad has impacted American history in more ways than just transportation. To get to the museum on transit, take CityLink Navy, Orange, and LocalLink #76 to the 900s block of West Pratt Street. #ExploreBaltimore

In observance of Black History Month, this edition of Maryland Transit Times features a discussion about late Pioneer Civil Rights Activist Dr. Lillie Carroll Jackson and the Baltimore civil rights museum, which bears her name. #MDOTcares

MDOT MTA is seeking public input on the 50-year Statewide Transit Plan during the comment period, which ends on Friday, February 18, 2022. To learn more about this draft transit plan, click the link below to hear our latest podcast, or visit mta.maryland.gov/statewide-plan. #MDOTcares

Maryland Transit Times host Amy Freedman takes you on a magical MTA sleigh ride throughout the area to Baltimore's best holiday events. To learn more, click on the link below. #ExploreBaltimore #MDOTmoves

Maryland Transit Times host Amy Freedman talks with Morgan State University Assistant Professor Dr. Jewell Debnam about the legendary singer Billie Holiday. Who is honored and memorialized throughout Baltimore City. To hear the full interview, click on the link below.

Maryland Transit Times host Amy Freedman talks about the new exhibit at the Baltimore Museum of Industry called Women of Steel. This exhibit highlights and honors the dignity of the women who worked at Bethlehem Steel in Sparrow Point. To hear how this exhibit came together, click on the link below.

As we come to the end of Women's History Month, Maryland Transit Times host Amy Freedman talks with Kate Sylvester, MDOT MTA Director of Planning and Capital Programming, who was recently named 40 under 40 in transit by Mass Transit Magazine. Kate is an innovator who combines civil engineering and community planning to make transit more accessible in the Baltimore area. To hear the full interview, click on the link below. #MDOTexpert

MDOT MTA's MARC Tracker recently has undergone a complete makeover. Maryland Transit Times host Amy Freedmen talked with MARC Train Cheif Transportation Officer David Johnson about the new updates and integration of MARC Tracker to the Transit app. #MDOTmoves

The Baltimore County Farmers Market is considered an essential food source by the MD Department of Agriculture and is open every Wednesday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM now until October 28th at the Maryland State Fair Grounds. "Our market offers high-quality, fresh from the farm produce, flowers and more," said Baltimore County Farmers Market Manager Bill Langlotz. To hear the full interview on Maryland Transit Times with Amy Freeman, click on the link below. To get to the market on transit, take Light RailLink to Timonium Fairgrounds. Also, a friendly reminder to help us continue to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 by wearing a face-covering. #MDOTcares

The Baltimore Farmers’ Market & Bazaar is one of Baltimore’s best weekend traditions and is open every Sunday from 7:00 AM to Noon now until December 20th. After a brief delay from their scheduled opening in April, the market has undergone changes to provide a safe shopping experience for its customers and vendors. According to Samuel Hanson from the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts (BOPA), face masks are required to enter the market. They have also redesigned the vendor's layout to provide enough space between the vendors as well as customers. To hear the full podcast with our new Maryland Transit Times host Amy Freedman, click on the SoundCloud link below or hear us on iTunes Podcast: Maryland Transit Times. To get to the market, you can take CityLink Blue, Yellow, Green, Red, or LocalLink 54. #MDOTmoves #BaltimoreFamersmarket #ExploreBaltimore

Theresa Laster joined MDOT MTA back when the agency was called the Mass Transit Administration in 1974 and she is the longest-serving female employee. A lot has changed since Theresa joined MDOT MTA as a bus operator, from no power steering on buses to Light RailLink and SubwayLink services. Theresa has seen it all in the 45 years she’s been at MDOT MTA. #MDOTStories

The Addielicious Walk to Help, family fun walk will be held on Saturday, March 28th at the Towson Town Center Mall to raise awareness and support for epilepsy through the Stroup Kids For Kids Epilepsy Foundation. The event starts at 9:00 AM and will take place inside the mall. To learn more about the event, visit their website http://stroupkidsforkids.org/walktohelp. To get to the mall by bus, take CityLink Red, Green, LocalLink 36, 51 or 93. #MDOTcares

Before there were light rails trains and buses in Baltimore, streetcars enables residents to travel from one end of the city to the other. And even though the street car system ended in 1963 its rich history is still with us. The Baltimore Streetcar Museum is dedicated to preserving the city’s public transit history and if you are interested in learning more about this wonderful museum, visit http://www.baltimorestreetcar.org. To get to the museum, take CityLink Green, Silver, LocalLink 51, and 95. #ExploreBaltimore

The Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum are calling for entries for The Saturday Visitor Awards. This new award is presented by Poe Baltimore and recognizes Edgar Allan Poe's continued legacy in the arts and literature around the world. To learn more about the museum and to submit our work in The Saturday Visitor Awards, visit https://www.poeinbaltimore.org. The Poe House and Museum is located at 203 N. Amity Street in Baltimore. To get to the museum on transit take CityLink Orange and LocalLink 80. For #ExploreBaltimore

Considered a prominent scientist in earlier American history, Benjamin Banneker was born on November 9, 1731, in Baltimore County. He had little formal education and was largely a self-taught scientist, astronomer, and surveyor who is known for being part of the team that surveyed the borders in the District of Columbia. In 1998 a park and museum on the site of his former farmstead located in Catonsville, Maryland was dedicated to his honor. #MDOTscenes

2020 is the 15th anniversary of the Reginal F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture here is Baltimore City and Maryland Transit Times host Ken Berger talked with the museum’s executive director Jackie Copeland to learn more about its history and the exhibits that are on display. To hear the full interview, click on the link below. #ExploreBaltimore

Keeping MDOT MTA’s buses clean is a 24/7 process at all four bus divisions. In this episode of Maryland Transit Times, Ken Berger chats with “A” Repairman Doug Reed and Mike Millar, Superintendent of Bus Maintenance at Bush Division. Keeping the buses clean and ready for our riders at all times is just one part – but a very important part – of MDOT MTA’s commitment to world-class customer service. Click on the SoundCloud link to hear more. #MDOTexperts

Maryland Transit Times host Ken Berger chats with MDOT MTA Director of the Office of Customer and Community Relations Roan Bennett to talk about how to prepare for inclement winter weather. Every year MDOT MTA publishes a Snow Guide brochure as part of its Know Before You Go winter storm campaign, with key information and numbers to call in case of a winter storm. This year we also include all service alerts on the Transit App. For the latest printable Snow Guide brochure, please visit www.mta.maryland.gov/ #snowmd #MDOTsafety

The Holiday Bus is a Baltimore tradition for the last 41 years. #MDOTcares

Toys for Tots at Union Station is right around the corner starting on Wednesday, December 11th and runs through Thursday, December 12th from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. In the last five years, the Toys for Tots campaign at Union Station has averaged over 1,300 toys per drive and collected over $41,000 in donations. #MDOTcares

The Maryland Charity Campaign (MCC) ends on December 17th and MDOT MTA is encouraging State Employees to sign up before the deadline ends. MCC provides State Employees and MDOT MTA employees a platform where they can contribute to charitable organizations in an orderly and uniform process through one annual campaign. And this year MCC has made it easier than ever by creating a new platform to donate through automatic payroll deductions. For more details, click on the following link https://mcc.maryland.gov. This year’s goal of $2.8 million will provide over 1000 pre-screened charities with the funds needs to make a difference in their communities. #MDOTcares

You can discover seven thousand years of artwork right here at the Walters Art Museum. The wonderful art collection at the Walters Art Museum is open to the public and admission is free. The museum is located on Charles Street in the Mt. Vernon area and you can get there by taking CityLink Green, Silver, Pink, LocalLink 51, or 95. To hear the full interview, click on the link below. #ExploreBaltimore

The Baltimore Book Festival and Light City have combined forces to present a ten day, one-of-a-kind international event at the Inner Harbor, beginning November 1st thru the 10th. Maryland Transit Times host Ken Berger met with Baltimore Office of Promotion and Arts Festival Manager Susan Fortkiewicz, who was happy to share her view of why the festival’s showcase of books, performances, food and the art of light will make this the place to be in November. For more about the festival, visit https://brilliantbaltimore.com. #ExploreBaltimore #BrilliantBaltimore (Photo Credit – BOPA)

Have you downloaded your CharmPass yet? If you haven’t yet, you just might after you hear this. Maryland Transit Times host Ken Berger interviews MDOT MTA Director of Treasury Tom Randall about the success of CharmPass in the last year. With over 1.7 million fares purchased on the app, it’s one of the fastest growing mobile transit fare apps in the nation. Interested in downloading the app? Visit https://www.mta.maryland.gov/charmpass. #OneInAMillion #MDOTinnovates #MDOTmoves

Maryland Transit Times host Ken Berger met with Baltimore Running Festival Founder Lee Corrigan to talk about the upcoming race that will take place this Saturday, October 19, 2019 from 6:00 AM and 3:00 PM. With participants coming from all 50 States and 17 counties, this festival contributes a significant economic impact to the city. The Baltimore Running Festival will also bring numerous bus diversions to many routes throughout Baltimore City during the race. And in order to help riders get around the city, MDOT MTA’s TICC will be open this Saturday, October 19th from 5:00 am to 5:00 pm and the Mondawmin kiosk will be open from 7:00 am – 3:00 pm. We encourage riders to plan accordingly for potential delays. For more information visit https://www.mta.maryland.gov/2019-running-festival. (Photo Credit - Baltimore Running Festival) #MDOTmoves

MDOT MTA celebrated the opening of the new Camden Station in the downtown Baltimore area earlier this month with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. MDOT Secretary Pete Rahn and MDOT MTA Administration Kevin Quinn spoke about the historical significance surrounding the station; it is the oldest continuously operating transportation terminal in the country. The newly completed, $7 million facility will provide an improved transit experience for MARC Train and Light RailLink riders. To hear the full interview on Maryland Transit Times with host Kent Berger, click on the link below. #MDOTScenes

Maryland Transit Times host Ken Berger interviewed Lee Sessions who recently celebrated his 50th anniversary with MDOT MTA. Working with the agency has given Lee the ability to provide for his family and also make a significant contribution to the community. He started his career in 1969 when the agency was called the Baltimore Transit Company. Let’s congratulate Lee for his dedication to his job and MDOT MTA passengers. To hear the full interview, click on the link below. #MDOTExperts

Maryland Transit Times Host Ken Berger sits down with Andy Cashman the General Manager of the 138th Maryland State Fair. During the interview, Andy talks about the history of the State Fair, what the best attractions are at the Fair, and also encourages Fair goers to get there by Light RailLink. #ExploreBaltimore

Maryland Transit Times host Ken Berger visited the Baltimore Museum of Art to speak with Senior Communication Director Anne Brown about their current exhibits as well as their screening of Solange Knowles’ new film “When I Get Home” at their Lexington Market BMA branch. The BMA is located next to the Johns Hopkins Homewood campus and is free to everyone looking to enjoy great works of art. To get to the museum you can take CityLink Silver and LocalLink 51 to Charles and Art Museum Dr. To learn more about their film screening and art exhibits, visit https://www.artbma.org.

Maryland Transit Times host Ken Berger visited the B&O Railroad Museum and had a chance to speak with Kris Hoellen, the executive director of the museum about their new WWI exhibit that tells the story of B&O railroaders who went overseas to run the trains that carried supplies and armament to the frontline. The First to Fight Railroaders in WWI exhibit will run until the end of August. The museum also has several other events and programs for students to participate in, such as First Responders Day on September 14th and Restore Baltimore a workforce development program that works with inner-city youth and is part of CCBC's youth tech program. To get to the museum on transit, take CityLink Navy, Orange and LocalLink #76 to the 900s block of West Pratt Street. #ExploreBaltimore

Maryland Transit Times host Ken Berger talks about the 2018 MDOT MTA Superstars winners in his latest podcast. Let’s congratulate the following winners: Bus Operator of the Year goes to Bruce Brown from Northwest Bus Division, Rail Operator of the Year is Mark Williams from Light Rail, the Administrator’s Award goes to both Heidi Tarleton from the Office of Finance and Steve Gladstone from the Office of Communications & Marketing. Last but not least, the Brake Shop team received the Maintenance Division of the Year award for the second year in a row. Job well done. #MDOTExperts

Maryland Transit Times host Ken Berger met up with MDOT MTA Bus Operator Juarez Lee Shelton of Northwest Bus Division to talk about his passion for sharing historical point of interest insights with this passengers along his route. Juarez is not your typical bus operator for MDOT MTA, he has a background in history and loves to share these historical insights with his passengers. He is currently driving on the LocalLink 80 route and connects with his passengers through history.