Who We Are

The Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland (RTA) is a multi-jurisdictional public transit agency connecting riders across the heart of Maryland — one network, built by neighbouring communities that decided they were stronger together.

Our story

Before RTA, each jurisdiction in Central Maryland ran its own small transit system. A rider crossing a county line often had to change systems, buy a second fare and hope the schedules lined up. In 2013 those separate services — including Howard County’s Howard Transit and the Connect-A-Ride network — were brought together under a single regional agency so that one trip could cross the region on one system.

That founding idea still drives everything we do: transit should follow the way people actually live, not the lines on a map.

Jurisdictions we serve

RTA is funded and governed jointly by the communities it serves:

• Howard County — Columbia, Ellicott City, Elkridge, Savage and the Gateway corridor.
• Anne Arundel County — Arundel Mills, Maryland City and BWI Airport.
• Northern Prince George’s County — Laurel-area service, with connections to Greenbelt Metro.
• City of Laurel — the Towne Centre Laurel hub and local service.

What we operate

RTA runs fixed-route bus service across the region and RTA Mobility, our paratransit service for riders who cannot use fixed-route buses. Day-to-day operations are delivered by Transit Management of Central Maryland on the agency’s behalf from the Central Maryland Regional Transit Facility at 8800 Corridor Road, Annapolis Junction.

How we are governed

RTA is overseen by the Central Maryland Transportation & Mobility Commission (CMTMC). Each partner jurisdiction appoints two representatives to the Commission, which meets in public every quarter. Riders can have their say at every public meeting and at the Rider Quarterly Forum.

Leadership

• Jason Quan, General Manager — jason.quan@transitRTA.com
• Victor Jimenez, Manager of Customer Service and RTA Mobility — Victor.jimenez@transitRTA.com

What we are working toward

More frequent service on the corridors that carry the most riders, easier fare payment, a cleaner fleet, and a network that keeps pace with a fast-growing region. Our Transit Development Plan (PDF, opens in a new tab) (2023 draft) sets that direction, and it is shaped by rider feedback.

Partners & regional transit

RTA partners

• Howard County Office of Transportation (opens in a new window)
• Anne Arundel County Office of Transportation (opens in a new window)
• Prince George’s County (opens in a new window)
• City of Laurel (opens in a new window)

Other transportation resources

• Howard Commuter Solutions (opens in a new window)
• Transportation Association of Maryland (TAM) (opens in a new window)
• Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) (opens in a new window)
• Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) (opens in a new window)
• Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) (opens in a new window)
• Prince George’s County TheBus (opens in a new window)
• Anne Arundel County Transit (opens in a new window)
• Montgomery County Ride On (opens in a new window)