This is one of those common-sense proposals that need to happen yesterday. Add in some kind of promotion, and I think the state would see significant usage in this service. For example, Empire City in Yonkers, NY for example sells a package where a member of their players club can get round-trip train fare and shuttle bus from Grand Central for ~$15, and they are given $10 food voucher and $10 in slot play. Something like this would work wonders in this area, especially given the fact that the other area slot parlors are nowhere near completion.

Mike,

Your reader and commenter, Justin, makes a good point in that this is a common-sense concept, but I should clarify that the casino service was a request that the Riders Advisory Council made to the MTA and it was not something the MTA had even considered before we brought it up for discussion. While Simon Taylor of the MTA said that he'd look into it and thought it was an interesting idea that they hadn't yet considered, I don't know that they've actually been in touch with the Casino at this point. I received a phone call from Terry Owens of the MTA this morning, who was worried that people may think that the MTA came up with the idea.

Our request stemmed from the fact that there was a proposed early morning train (as part of the rough draft for the new schedule) that goes to Aberdeen and Perryville to service BRAC, but it arrives well before most folks would head out to the casino. There is a later northbound train on the rough draft, however, that ends its run at Martins State Airport where it is stored for the day until the afternoon rush hour.

Our suggestion was to also run that second morning train through to Perryville, where it would arrive somewhere in the 9-10 o'clock hour (since the equipment not being used until the afternoon), and then deadhead it back to Martins. That timing paired nicely with an existing afternoon southbound departure from Perryville that's on the rough draft, which made a day trip to the casino a real possibility and something that we thought might be attractive to casino goers (there's no toll to pay, no driving after you get on the train, etc).

The added frequency, in that sense, kills two birds with one stone. First, it gives BRAC employees an option for flexibility, so if they don't feel constrained by just the one train early in the morning; such a frequency should help ridership numbers among BRAC riders. Second, it provides an alternative to driving for folks who want to head to the casino for the day, similar to the services that Justin mentioned that are popular elsewhere in the country. Simon said that he'd look into the possibility, but he also mentioned that crew availability may be an obstacle.

There is, of course, precedent for this type of service in Maryland. For decades, the MARC Camden Line has provided train service to and from the Laurel Racetrack.

Given the response I received from the MTA this morning, it sounds like they have not made any additional plans to add this service despite the council's request, so folks who want more BRAC flexibility or folks who like the idea of taking a train to the Perryville casino should reach out to the Maryland MTA's MARC team to voice their support (contact info is here: http://mta.maryland.gov/resources/contactmta/). Reiteration of support is probably needed in order to make the casino connection a priority.

Thanks,
Rafi

What about more morning Southbound service from Perryville to Baltimore to cater to the commuters who are heading into Baltimore for work?

I'm surprised that service to Aberdeen and Edgewood have not been increased seeing that overall MARC ridership has increased.

Casino service might be nice. But if this is what the Riders Advisory Group is asking for, they need to be booted. How about reliable, on-time commuter trains so people can get to work on time and shorter trip times so people can get home before their kids are in bed?

Just as long as they get a round-trip ticket. We don't need anyone stranded in Perryville.

Mike - if I may ask a question that's a little off-topic, MARC is currently touting the expansion of their BWI and West Baltimore stations, but they are (it seems) doing absolutely nothing with regard to the new station at Halethorpe that they have been promising for more years than I can recall. MARC "managers" have told me it would be completed by Spring 2011, and then Spring 2012 - it keeps changing, and the first shovelful of dirt has yet to be tossed. What gives?? Exasperated in Catonsville