The Maryland Transit Administration has released a plan detailing next steps for advancing and improving the MARC passenger rail service, including expanding service amid growing ridership.
The MARC Growth and Transformation Plan is the product of in-depth analysis and extensive stakeholder and community engagement.
The plan provides a blueprint with 5-year, 10-year, and unconstrained service scenarios, including service opportunities and projects needed to achieve each scenario. This look ahead considers MARC’s recent significant surge in ridership — 58% overall, just since January 2025. The MARC Penn Line is up by 52%, the Camden Line by 66%, and the Brunswick Line by 85%. Compared to the same time period in 2024, overall MARC ridership rose by 23%, the Penn Line increased by 20%, the Camden Line by 46.5%, and the Brunswick Line by 24%.
“Thanks to Maryland’s additional transportation revenues, MTA has funding to help move MARC Train forward on the track towards growth,” said Paul J. Wiedefeld, Maryland Transportation Secretary in a statement. “This plan serves as a roadmap for how MTA can advance MARC into the future and elevate the commuter rail system into a train for everyday life.”
Based on an evaluation of current service operations, the MARC Growth and Transportation Plan outlines opportunities for expanded services, improved mobility, connectivity, and economic development. The plan calls for more accessible, frequent, all-day service, including on weekends. It proposes expanded weekday peak service hours, improved weekday off-peak and weekend service and service to new areas, all to meet the growing needs of the MARC ridership.
“Our riders have asked for more frequent and convenient service across the state,” said Holly Arnold, Maryland Transit Administrator. “The MARC Growth and Transformation Plan represents an important step forward in a vision for a more connected and sustainable transportation network.”
The plan suggests implementing the changes in phases to allow for smooth transitions and more flexibility in putting together the funds. Gov. Wes Moore’s investment in transportation will help MTA embark upon the early stages of the plan, including a $3 million project to plan and design a new station track at Silver Spring to increase service at one of the busiest stops on the MARC Brunswick Line. There is also a $13.7 million project for the continued planning and design of the Penn-Camden Connector in Baltimore.
MARC Train Service is a commuter rail system that includes the Brunswick Line, the Camden Line, and the Penn Line. They provide direct access to Washington, D.C. from Penn Station in Baltimore with stops along the way. The Camden and Brunswick Lines operate on weekdays only, and the Penn Line operates seven days per week.
To see the full MARC Growth and Transportation Plan, click this link.
