About CMRT

• Brief History of the Organization
• CMRT Board of Directors
• CMRT Staff Directory
• CMRT Media Archives
• Bus Safety and Security
• Title VI Policy Statement

Brief history

The Corridor Transportation Corporation (CTC) began in May 1987 as a fledging demonstration transit project birthed through a private-public partnership. CTC began transit service in 1989 as a system of 9 buses on 5 routes and carrying 178,000 passengers in its first year of operation.

In the Beginning

In the early and mid-‘80s employers were in much the same situation they are now. Businesses needed employees and they needed a bus system oriented from suburb to suburb, traveling to jurisdictional boundaries. The Baltimore Washington Corridor Chamber (BWCC) heard the pleas of the business community for more workers and a transit mode to get them to the workplace.

The BWCC and CTC boards of directors worked in tandem with elected officials to create the CTC model. Then Prince George’s County Councilman Frank Casula, Maryland State Senator Arthur Dorman and the Prince George’s County Executive at the time—former Governor Parris Glendening—committed funds and lent their support to apply for a grant from the Federal Transit Administration.

In May 1989, Governor William Donald Schaefer donned a driver’s cap and ceremonially inaugurated what was then—and continues to be—the only transit system in the United States managed by a chamber of commerce.

New Name for CTC

For more than two decades Corridor Transportation Corporation (CTC) has managed regional public bus service in the Baltimore-Washington corridor.   A few things have changed since the first day of service on May 15, 1989.  A staff of one grew into a team of 18.  The number of buses increased from 4 to 60.  Ridership expanded from 178,000 to 2 million. The service area grew from one city to four counties – Anne Arundel, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George’s.  As the organization moves forward into the next twenty years it does so with a new name and logo.  Effective January 1, 2010, Corridor Transportation Corporation (CTC) is now known as Central Maryland Regional Transit (CMRT).

Organization Model

Established as a charitable 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, CMRT has a 15-member volunteer board of directors that includes advisory representatives from the National Security Administration (NSA) and the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT).

CMRT manages transit service contracts for the State of Maryland, Howard County and the Anne Arundel Department of Social Services. CMRT administers the four-county Connect-A-Ride system, serving approximately 657,000 passengers annually. This includes the Jobs Access Reverse Commute (JARC) services in West Anne Arundel County. Also, under contract to Howard County, CMRT manages Howard Transit, the County’s fixed-route and paratransit service. Total ridership for Howard Transit is estimated at over 863,700 annually.

Board of Directors - FY 2010

CMRT Staff

CMRT Media Inquiries

Central Maryland Regional Transit (CMRT) wants to respond promptly and completely to news media inquiries. Above all, we want to ensure that the information furnished is accurate. If you are a member of the working press and have an inquiry concerning general company issues including policy, bus and paratransit service, safety, marketing, etc. you can contact the Director of Marketing and Customer Development.

Events
Central Maryland Regional Transit welcomes you.

Press Releases
Specific questions regarding programs and projects identified in press releases should be forwarded to the Director of Marketing and Customer Development, Sharon R. Smith. General questions about route and schedule information should be directed to customer service at 800-270-9553.

Service Changes and Updates
CMRT is committed to an effective means of disseminating changes in transportation services and program activities to customers, partnering agencies and organizations and state/local officials.

Upon approval by the appropriate governing body, changes in policies/procedures that directly affect passengers and/or partnering agencies, organizations or local government shall be disseminated as follows:

CMRT will hold 1-2 public meetings to announce proposed service changes. The meeting(s) will take place at a facility served by public transit.

The Director of Marketing and Customer Development is responsible for organizing and implementing notification of service changes. Notification includes dissemination of press release to multi-media outlets, distribution of flyers (posted inside buses and on bus shelters), posting announcements on the Automated Vehicle Location system and website.

Bus Safety and Security

Welcome Aboard!
Our goal is to get you to your destination safely and on time. We take our job seriously, so you won’t be surprised when we say “Customer Safety is Priority One.” We want you to enjoy your trip, but more importantly we want you to be safe. Please keep the following information in mind when using public transportation. Thanks for riding and Have a safe trip!

Boarding and Exiting the Bus
• Keep a safe distance from the curb as the bus pulls into the stop.
• Never run alongside the bus as it moves into or away from the stop – the driver cannot see you!
• When getting off the bus, NEVER cross the street in front of the bus – wait for it to leave the stop.
• Watch your step when boarding or exiting the bus especially when wet are icy conditions exist.
• Always stay clear of doors when closing.
• Cross streets only at designated crosswalks.
• Obey all traffic signals.
• Look Left-Right-Left before crossing the street.

Emergency Equipment on Board
• First aid kit
• Fire extinguisher
• Hazardous spill kit
• Highway warning triangle
• All of the above are located in the driver area and will be deployed by the driver.
• Ceiling Escape Hatch
• Escape windows located on both sides of bus

While Riding the Bus
• Keep arms and hand inside vehicle.
• Never lean against the doors.
• Stand behind the vehicle safety line.
• When standing, hold on to overhead hand rails or hand grips on back of seats.
• Keep aisle clear.
• Never block door from closing.
• Attend to your children at all times.

Drivers are Not Permitted to…
• Carry passengers’ packages.
• Smoke on the vehicle.
• Leave the vehicle unattended while engines are operating.
• Play audio or video equipment.
• Use cell phones for personal use.
• Accept tips.

Central Maryland Regional Transit’s Responsibilities
• CMRT is dedicated to providing quality bus service.
• Professional and courteous service.
• A safe and dependable ride.
• Accurate and reliable information.
• Clearly displayed fare rates.
• A report process for incidents and disputes.
• A timely response to complaints and inquiries.
• A process for recommending improvement to the Transit system.

Passengers Responsibilities
To provide our passengers with the highest level of safety, please comply with the following procedures:
• Have exact fare ready when boarding.
• Present transfer to driver (unfolded and in one piece).
• Give Priority Seating to riders with disabilities and seniors.
• Take your seat in an orderly manner and remain seated until the bus comes to a complete stop.
• Do not occupy more than one seat.
• Close any stroller you bring on board and have children seated at all times.
• Do not distract the drive while the vehicle is moving.
• Remain behind the vehicle safety line.
• Do not eat, drink or smoke on the vehicle.
• Do not bring bicycles on the vehicle; use the bike rack on the front of the bus.
• Do not litter on the bus or at bus stops or shelters.
• Do not bring animals onto the vehicle (except service animals).
• Refrain from vulgar acts and language.
• Limit packages to two parcels.
• Do Not Transport Hazardous Materials on the bus.

Safety Features
In an emergency, listen to and obey the instructions of the driver; he or she is trained for this type of situation.

Your bus is equipped with different safety features including emergency escape windows and a ceiling escape. You can identify them by the label and distinctive red handles. Instructions for use are next to the handle.

TITLE VI POLICY STATEMENT

CMRT shall not, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, as provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 (PL 100.259) exclude any person from participation in, deny any person the benefits of, or otherwise subject any person to discrimination under any program or activity.  The Title VI and EEO Coordinator is responsible for initiating and monitoring Title VI activities, preparing required reports, and other responsibilities as requested by Title 23 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, and Title 49 CFR Part 21.