City to launch Circulator Green Route today
Baltimore will add a third line to its Charm City Circulator service Tuesday, with Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake joining other city officials for the launch of the new Green Route at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
The Green line will run from Hopkins Hospital through Fells Point and Harbor East before heading north to City Hall and the Fallsway. It will then head back to Hopkins along the same route.
The Green joins the east-west Orange Route, launched in January 2010 as one of the last acts of former Mayor Sheila Dixon’s administration, and the north-south Purple Route, which got its start later that year. The Orange runs from Hollins Market to Central Avenue, while the Purple goes from South Baltimore to Penn Station.
The new line will directly interconnect with the Orange Route at Harbor East, but reaching the Purple Route will require about a three-block walk. The Green Route also interconnects with the Metro at Hopkins Hospital and the Shot Tower/Market Place stations and with the water taxi to Canton and Tide Point at Maritime Park in Fells Point.
The city plans to launch a fourth line, running from the Inner Harbor to Fort McHenry, next year.
The Circulator is financed by the city’s parking taxes. It begins its winter schedule Tuesday, during which it will run Monday-Thursday 6:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m.; Friday: 6:30 a.m.-midnight; Saturday: 9:00 a.m.-midnight, and Sunday: 9:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
With the launch of the Green, the city has discontinued running its temporary East Side Shuttle service. Which ran as an extension of the Orange Route connecting at Harbor East.
Comments
More of my hard earned tax dollars going to fill some rich executives pockets while providing a local entitlement paid for by people that park in parking garages. Circulator doesn't even offer a park and ride option, that's how lopsided the system is. Get more cars off the streets but don't give those cars a 'free' parking lot.
Posted by: Phillip | November 1, 2011 9:29 AM
Thje idea behind the CCC is great. However the design of the routes could use improvement. It is as if whoever designed the routes does not know what needs and should be connected.
Posted by: Dunn | November 1, 2011 9:29 AM
Phillip,
Are you in favor of removing parking subsidies and requirements in the city as well?
Posted by: Anonymous | November 1, 2011 5:41 PM
I continue to be concerned that the neighborhoods that have less access to vehicles and parkways and that are more dependent on public transportation are being left out of the Circulator route plans. I am thinking in particular of Northeast Baltimore. Can we get a CCC on Loch Raven Ave, Greenmount or Harford Road going north south? Let's examine demographics of who is served (and who is not) by these routes. Thank you.
Posted by: Sharon | November 2, 2011 12:48 PM
I ride the purple route a couple times a month. Going south from Penn Station through Mount Vernon in the mornings, it's not much faster than walking. But when it's raining and I don't have to wait long, I'll hop on. I'm a fan! I just wish the overhead speakers didn't scream "STOP REQUESTED" every time someone needed to get off.
Posted by: Sam Sessa | November 2, 2011 1:07 PM
Anonymous ,
Go ahead and remove the parking subsidies and remove the tax that commuters must pay for this 'free bus' to operate. In a capitalist society it will work itself out. Businesses will leave the city if they have workers not willing to pay for the parking, less tax will be needed to be collected because theft organizations such as the Baltimore Parking Authority will cease to exist. Businesses that do stay will work out payment deals with the garages (or larger businesses will just buy the parking garage) . People that want to work in the city will start taking the light rail, sub way, bicycle, walking, or MTA bus service. Heck, if the city is that great maybe people will move back into it.
Posted by: Phillip | December 5, 2011 11:34 AM