MTA seeks relief after Purple Line delay and $425 million contract modification; senators press on commuter‑bus and safety issues

The Maryland Transit Administration told the Public Safety, Transportation, and Environment Subcommittee that the agency's proposed FY25 operating budget increases by about $59.4 million (5.3%) to roughly $1.2 billion while the capital program rises about $54.1 million to $660.4 million.

Carrie Cook of the Department of Legislative Services walked senators through ridership and performance metrics (MTA roughly 65% of 2019 ridership overall; mobility services higher; commuter bus lagging at about 35% of pre‑pandemic ridership) and highlighted personnel increases: more than 108 new positions in FY25 and additional apprenticeship pins for EV bus support.

During the hearing MTA announced a P3 contract modification for the Purple Line. "This change will adjust the project opening date from spring of 2027 to winter of 2027 and provide additional compensation of up to $425,000,000 to the concessionaire," Holly Arnold, MTA administrator, said; the modification ties payments to major milestones including vehicle delivery and major project work on the University of Maryland campus.

Senators probed MTA about two recent service incidents: a July electrical fire at a metro substation that suspended metro service for five days and a December light‑rail shutdown for emergency inspections and repairs. DLS said the substation incident stemmed from an improper installation by a contractor and that MTA is still calculating costs; the light‑rail event should be reimbursed by the overhaul contractor, DLS reported.

Lawmakers also focused on commuter bus service, which the governor's introduced budget would have eliminated but which the first supplemental restored with $28 million so lines could be reduced rather than canceled. MTA officials said they released a service plan and will run five public hearings on proposed commuter‑bus adjustments; they emphasized equity and ridership data in designing the adjustments.

MTA officials highlighted a recent federal rail vehicle replacement grant award (about $213.7 million) that will fund new light rail vehicles and noted ongoing work on the Red Line alternatives analysis and other regional projects. The committee asked MTA to continue reporting on Purple Line progress and to provide follow‑up information on the security contract for employee facilities (agency dollars expected) and commuter‑bus contractor negotiations.

Next steps: MTA will seek Board of Public Works approval for the Purple Line contract modification and the committee requested bimonthly Purple Line status reports as DLS recommended.