Maryland commuter contract to Amtrak

Written by Railway Age Staff
MARC commuter locomotive

MARC MP36PH-3C 14 idles between runs at Washington Union Station, March 8, 2018. Railway Age photo by Stuart Chirls

Amtrak has been awarded a five-year contract by Maryland Department of Transportation-Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) to continue operating commuter rail services.

MTA launched the tender a year ago for services on Marc’s Penn Line linking Washington, BWI Airport, Baltimore and Perryville, and received a number of bids. MTA rated Amtrak’s technical proficiency as the highest among the bidders.

“MTA selecting Amtrak for this contract speaks volumes about the high-quality service we have provided over many years to Maryland and Marc passengers, and the strong operating relationship we have developed with Marc during that time,” said Stephen Gardner, Amtrak’s chief commercial officer. “Commuter contracts help Amtrak expand our business and meet our financial goals.”

The MARC system also includes Harford County, Brunswick, and Frederick, Md., and Martinsburg, W. Va. Services operates Monday through Friday with limited weekend service on the Penn Line.

Tags: , , , ,