Federal law puts brakes on using public buses for special events

BALTIMORE (Map, News) - A newly enforced federal law says that public bus services can no longer be used as shuttles for special events or tours, in order to keep them from taking business from private charter companies.

Part of the Safe, Accountable Flexible Efficient Transportation Equity Act, which took effect April 30, discourages systems such as Harford Transit, Carroll Area Transit Systems and Howard Transit from using public buses for event shuttles and tours.

In Harford, the regulations have officials searching for alternative means of getting people — especially the elderly — to and from such events as the Bel Air Barbecue Bash this summer, said County Councilman James “Captain Jim” McMahan.

“The big businesses have put pressure on Washington, I guess,” McMahan said. “The bus companies must’ve said they were losing money to public transportation.”

Although Harford had its lawyers poring over the legislation to divine its ins and outs, Howard officials said they had an exception.

“With Howard Transit specifically, some of our buses are not attached to any federal dollars,” said Sharon Smith, director of operations for Corridor Transportation Corp.

“So if we had an event and the county wanted to provide shuttles, Howard County has a few buses that are 100 percent county owned and operated.”

“They don’t want federal money competing against charter companies,” said Ben Pickar, planning supervisor for Howard’s Department of Planning and Zoning.

Baltimore County uses MTA buses for most public transit, and the CountyRide program provides transportation specifically for the elderly and people with physical disabilities, said Arnold Eppel, director of the Baltimore County Department of Aging.

CountyRide, a Qualified Human Service Organization, is exempt from federal restrictions on its busses. Eppel said the county even received more federal funds that would be applied toward increased gas surcharges, but he was unsure if the funding was tied to the recently enforced bill.

The Maryland Transit Authority ended its shuttle services to Orioles and Ravens games in early June because of the new regulations.

Officials for Carroll Area Transit Systems in Carroll could not be reached for comment.

msantoni@baltimoreexaminer.com

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