01/15/2009
source - MTA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TRANSIT IS BEST OPTION TO REACH
SATURDAY’S OBAMA EVENT IN BALTIMORE CITY

Take Baltimore Metro Subway and Light Rail to Reach Downtown

January 15, 2009 (BALTIMORE, MD) – The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) is prepared to transport thousands of people to Saturday’s visit by President-elect Barack Obama at War Memorial Plaza in downtown Baltimore. The President-elect is scheduled to speak at 4:15 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

“This will be a special day in the history of one of America’s great cities,” said Governor O’Malley. “President-elect Obama’s decision to stop in Baltimore means that thousands of Marylanders will have the opportunity to wish him well as he assumes the presidency. As is the case on Inauguration Day, we urge people to plan ahead and take transit. Using Metro Subway and Light Rail on Saturday will get people in and out of the area efficiently and reduce congestion on roads in and around the city.”

Vehicle traffic into and out of the downtown Baltimore area is expected to be heavy Saturday as many streets in the city will be closed in advance of the event. MTA’s Metro Subway and Light Rail services are the best transit options to reach the event. The MTA is advising customers who plan to use the Local Bus or Mobility services for travel downtown to expect diversions and delays. For more information about Local Bus diversions, please visit the MTA website at www.mtamaryland.com or call the transit information center at (410) 539-5000. Agents will be available through the weekend to provide information. MTA customers are urged to purchase a round-trip ticket to avoid delays upon leaving the event.

Light Rail:

    * Light Rail will operate on a regular Saturday schedule, 6:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. 
    * Round-trip cash fare is $3.20. 
    * Closest Light Rail Stops to the Event Location: 
            University Center/Baltimore Street
            Lexington Market 
            Convention Center 

     *  Parking is available at the following Light Rail stations:
             • Hunt Valley- 85 spaces
             • Warren Road- 370 spaces
             • Timonium- 851 spaces
             • Lutherville- 286 spaces
             • Falls Road- 110 spaces
             • Mount Washington- 83 spaces
             • Patapsco- 216 spaces
             • Baltimore Highlands- 50 spaces
             • Nursery Road- 37 spaces
             • N. Linthicum- 347 spaces
             • Cromwell- 795 spaces

   • Ample parking also is available at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport where riders can park in airport 
     parking facilities and board Light Rail on the lower level of the airport terminal. 

   Metro Subway:
   NOTE: For security reasons, Shot Tower/Market Place Metro Station will be closed prior to the event. 
  The station will be re-opened at the conclusion of the event.

   • Metro Subway will operate on a regular Saturday schedule, 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight.
   • Round-trip cash fare is $3.20.
   • Metro Subway customers coming into Baltimore City can exit the Metro system at 
      the Charles Center Metro Station or the Lexington Market Metro Station. These are the two closest Metro 
      stations to the event site at City Hall.

Parking is available at the following Metro Subway stations:

    • Owings Mills- 3,500 spaces
    • Old Court- 625 spaces
    • Milford Mill- 1,300 spaces 
    • Reisterstown Plaza- 700 spaces
    • Rogers Ave- 900 spaces
    • W. Cold Spring- 300 spaces
    • Mondawmin- 175 spaces
    • State Center/ Cultural Center- 50 spaces 

Passage of the Inaugural Train through Maryland

The train carrying President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Biden will travel through Maryland Saturday afternoon. The Edgewood MARC station in Harford County is the only location where the Inaugural train will slow to a speed that will allow people to see the President-elect. There will be no parking available at the Edgewood MARC station. Inaugural event organizers said that except for slowing at the Edgewood MARC station and stopping in Baltimore, the Inaugural train will be moving at high speed as it passes through other train stations in Maryland. Those other stations will not be suitable for viewing purposes.

For public safety and security reasons, platforms at all other MARC stations along the Inaugural train route will be closed to the public on Saturday, January 17.

For more information about MTA Light Rail, Local Bus and Metro Subway service go to www.mtamaryland.com or call 410-539-5000.

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MEDIA CONTACTS: 
Jawauna Greene                  Jack Cahalan
Office: (410) 767-3936         Office: 410-865-1025
Cellular: 443-392-2983       Cellular: 443-829-4677