Route 310 (MTA Maryland)
Encyclopedia
Route 310 is a commuter bus route operated by the Maryland Transit Administration
and contracted to Dillon's Bus Service, operating between Columbia
and Baltimore, Maryland. The line operates between Columbia and Downtown Baltimore
, using the I-95 corridor as its primary route.
's Silver line and the Baltimore Light Rail
, a trip that takes a few hours in one direction.
Original proposal to combine Routes 310 and 311 into a single line to be identified as Route 310 was in 2005 as part of the Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative
. Under the new plan, only 12 trips would be provided each weekday, plus one midday trip on Friday, and service would not be provided to certain points in the Columbia area. The plan was opposed by the Howard County
government, and no changes have been made to the line ever since.
In late 2008, MTA proposed to eliminate both Routes 310 and 311, which were used by a combined 435 riders, and encouraged riders to use MARC Train
service in lieu of buses. In 2009, Route 311 was discontinued and the number of trips on Route 310 was reduced. This came after an initial plan to completely eliminate both lines. Route 150
absorbed some of this service.
Maryland Transit Administration
The Maryland Transit Administration is a state-operated mass transit administration in Maryland, and is part of the Maryland Department of Transportation. It is better known as MTA Maryland to avoid confusion with other cities' transit agencies who share the initials MTA. The MTA operates a...
and contracted to Dillon's Bus Service, operating between Columbia
Columbia, Maryland
Columbia is a planned community that consists of ten self-contained villages, located in Howard County, Maryland, United States. It began with the idea that a city could enhance its residents' quality of life. Creator and developer James W. Rouse saw the new community in terms of human values, not...
and Baltimore, Maryland. The line operates between Columbia and Downtown Baltimore
Downtown Baltimore
Downtown Baltimore is the section of Baltimore traditionally bounded by Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard to the west, Mt. Royal Avenue to the north, President Street to the east and the Inner Harbor area to the south. It consists of four neighborhoods: Westside, City Centre, Inner Harbor, and...
, using the I-95 corridor as its primary route.
History
Route 310 was conjoined with a second service, Route 311. Though each line had a distinct route in the Columbia area, both shared I-95 as the express portion of their route, and both routes had their schedules printed in a joint timetable. The two lines provided a combined 34 trips each weekday, mostly during peak hours. Though MTA does not provide full-time bus service between Columbia and Baltimore, It is possible to travel between these points regularly on Howard TransitHoward Transit
Howard Transit is the primary public transit system in Howard County, Maryland, which grew from the former ColumBus bus system in Columbia, Maryland...
's Silver line and the Baltimore Light Rail
Baltimore Light Rail
The Maryland Transit Administration Light Rail is a light rail system serving Baltimore, Maryland, United States, and the surrounding suburbs.In downtown Baltimore it uses city streets...
, a trip that takes a few hours in one direction.
Original proposal to combine Routes 310 and 311 into a single line to be identified as Route 310 was in 2005 as part of the Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative
Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative
GBBI redirects here. For the broadband index, see Government Broadband Index The Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative was a sweeping overhaul planned by the Maryland Transit Administration under the administration of then-Maryland Governor Robert Ehrlich and his transportation secretary Robert...
. Under the new plan, only 12 trips would be provided each weekday, plus one midday trip on Friday, and service would not be provided to certain points in the Columbia area. The plan was opposed by the Howard County
Howard County, Maryland
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*62.2% White*17.5% Black*0.3% Native American*14.4% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.6% Two or more races*2.0% Other races*5.8% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
government, and no changes have been made to the line ever since.
In late 2008, MTA proposed to eliminate both Routes 310 and 311, which were used by a combined 435 riders, and encouraged riders to use MARC Train
MARC Train
MARC , known prior to 1984 as Maryland Rail Commuter Service, is a regional rail system comprising three lines in the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area. MARC is administered by the Maryland Transit Administration , a Maryland Department of Transportation agency, and is operated under contract...
service in lieu of buses. In 2009, Route 311 was discontinued and the number of trips on Route 310 was reduced. This came after an initial plan to completely eliminate both lines. Route 150
Route 150 (MTA Maryland)
Route 150 is a bus route operated by the Maryland Transit Administration in Baltimore, Ellicott City, and Columbia, Maryland. The line currently operates between the Village of Harper's Choice in Columbia and downtown Baltimore, mostly via US-29 and US-40, serving The Mall in Columbia and...
absorbed some of this service.