$960K Grant Will Help Officials Purchase 2 Transit Buses To Extend Route 409 By 5 Miles

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — A $960,000 federal grant announced by four U.S. legislators from Maryland will enable the Maryland Department of Transportation and Howard County to purchase two, heavy-duty transit buses to extend existing Route 409 by five miles from its current terminus in Elkridge to Lansdowne Station in Baltimore County.

This extension will provide commuters with additional local transit options and complete an essential connection to regional transit services in Baltimore City.

The funds are provided through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Buses & Bus Facilities Grant Program.

“Regional public transportation not only helps connect communities across the state, it also opens more doors of opportunity for Marylanders. With this federal investment, we are laying the groundwork for more accessible, efficient public transit from Howard County to Baltimore and greater economic mobility throughout the region. These types of investments are exactly why we fought to pass the infrastructure modernization law, so across our state and our country we can bring our transportation systems into the 21st century, improve Americans’ commutes, and boost our economy,” said U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen.

“Mobility and connectivity across our public transportation system drive economic growth and expand equity. Connecting Howard County with the greater Baltimore region with new, modern buses is a win-win for the region and for our collective effort to address the on-going climate crisis,” added U.S. Senator Ben Cardin. “This is another example of Team Maryland’s commitment to bringing more federal investment to strengthen our state and local communities.”

“The addition of two new buses in Howard County to extend Route 409 will provide those who live and work here with more reliable commuting options and increase access to locations and transit services in and around the city of Baltimore. Bolstering public transportation in our region helps to not only advance social equity but also enable more economic opportunity for all,” noted U.S. Congressman John Sarbanes.

“The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is transformative legislation that continues to modernize Maryland’s infrastructure and is the largest federal investment in public transit in American history. This compelling announcement not only makes it easier for Baltimoreans to commute to other parts of our great state, but also does so in a manner that is environmentally friendly and is in line with our collective duty to combat the climate crisis,” added U.S. Congressman Kweisi Mfume.