CONNECTING PEOPLE
TO OPPORTUNITIES
The Central Maryland Transportation Alliance was formed in 2007. We are a transportation advocacy organization with an agenda to improve and expand transportation options for the residents and businesses of Central Maryland. We advocate for policies and infrastructure that make our transportation system work better for everyone.
Updates and CMTA in the News
Why Transportation Matters.
Transportation Provides Access.
While many of us would jump at the chance to be able to leave our home and have all of our needs – work, housing, education, services, and entertainment – within walking distance, the reality is that most of us must rely on other forms of transportation for access to one or more of these elements. Inefficient, unreliable or non-existent transportation options severely limit this access.
Transportation impacts business attraction and retention.
The last significant expansion of passenger rail in Central Maryland was in 1997, while regions we compete with for business and talent have heavily invested in commuter and light rail over the past decade. We are falling behind and the resulting decrease in quality of life and access to jobs and housing dampens economic growth and vitality.
The average wage earner spends over half of his/her income on housing and transportation costs...
…and transportation costs are increasing as job growth in Central Maryland has become increasingly decentralized from the urban core. Access to efficient and reliable public transportation will lower household transportation costs by as much as half for transit by choice and transit-dependent residents.
Transportation is a critical factor in efforts to address environmental pollution.
Transportation is the fastest-growing source of US Greenhouse Gasses (GHG), and is also the largest end-use source of CO2, which is the most prevalent greenhouse gas. Increased use of public transportation takes vehicles off the road, resulting in decreased oil consumption and air pollution.