Route 55 (MTA Maryland)
Encyclopedia
Route 55 is a bus route operated by the Maryland Transit Administration
in Baltimore
and its suburbs. The line currently runs from Towson
to Fox Ridge, serving Parkville
, Overlea
, Rosedale
, and Essex
, and the Essex campus of the Community College of Baltimore County
(formerly Essex Community College).
and Taylor Avenue, and to Hunt Valley. A year later, as the Route 9 was introduced, the Hunt Valley service on this line was truncated to Towson .
In 1977, Route 55 was combined with Route 2, which had operated limited service between Overlea and Fox Ridge. For the next 20 years, the line operated from the Towson area to Franklin Square Hospital, with selected trips, mostly during rush hour, continuing to Fox Ridge. Express trips to the Essex area from Towson were also introduced, but were eliminated in 1992.
In 1997, all trips were extended to Fox Ridge.
In 1998, two daily trips which operated via Taylor Avenue through Parkville were discontinued.
In 2005, as part of the Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative
, it was proposed that Route 55 would operated every 30 minutes versus the previous 40, and Sunday service would be introduced. No routing changes were planned initially to Route 55. But this plan was later delayed due to public outcry over changes to other routes.
In 2006, under a revision, MTA made plans for Route 55 to loop at the Towson Courthouse rather than GBMC, and for service on the remainder of the route to be provided on other lines. This plan was not implemented immediately. But on October 8, 2006, Sunday service was introduced, reflecting this new routing.
On February 17, 2008, these changes were implemented seven days a week, despite public outcry over transfers that would be required to reach Towson University
and area hospitals.
Maryland Transit Administration
The Maryland Transit Administration is a state-operated mass transit administration in Maryland, and is part of the Maryland Department of Transportation. It is better known as MTA Maryland to avoid confusion with other cities' transit agencies who share the initials MTA. The MTA operates a...
in Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
and its suburbs. The line currently runs from Towson
Towson, Maryland
Towson is an unincorporated community and a census-designated place in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States. The population was 55,197 at the 2010 census...
to Fox Ridge, serving Parkville
Parkville, Maryland
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 31,118 people, 13,044 households, and 8,243 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 7,352.1 people per square mile . There were 13,550 housing units at an average density of 3,201.4 per square mile...
, Overlea
Overlea, Maryland
Overlea is an unincorporated community and a census-designated place in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States. The population was 12,148 at the 2000 census. Students attend Overlea High School. Area roads include Belair Road and Kenwood Avenue. Contrary to most local residents believe,...
, Rosedale
Rosedale, Maryland
Rosedale is an unincorporated community and a census-designated place in Baltimore County, Maryland, United States. The population was 19,199 at the 2000 census.- History :...
, and Essex
Essex, Maryland
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 39,078 people, 15,952 households, and 10,336 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 4,104.1 people per square mile . There were 16,997 housing units at an average density of 1,785.1 per square mile...
, and the Essex campus of the Community College of Baltimore County
Community College of Baltimore County
The Community College of Baltimore County is an accredited community college located in Baltimore County, Maryland in the United States with three main campuses and two extension centers.- Programs and enrollment :...
(formerly Essex Community College).
History
Route 55 started operating in 1973 between Overlea and Towson, with branches via Joppa RoadJoppa Road
Joppa Road is a road that runs across the northern suburbs of Baltimore, mostly parallel to the Baltimore Beltway. Joppa Road today is used by motorists as an alternative to congested I-695 traffic, which often causes the road to become congested itself....
and Taylor Avenue, and to Hunt Valley. A year later, as the Route 9 was introduced, the Hunt Valley service on this line was truncated to Towson .
In 1977, Route 55 was combined with Route 2, which had operated limited service between Overlea and Fox Ridge. For the next 20 years, the line operated from the Towson area to Franklin Square Hospital, with selected trips, mostly during rush hour, continuing to Fox Ridge. Express trips to the Essex area from Towson were also introduced, but were eliminated in 1992.
In 1997, all trips were extended to Fox Ridge.
In 1998, two daily trips which operated via Taylor Avenue through Parkville were discontinued.
In 2005, as part of the Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative
Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative
GBBI redirects here. For the broadband index, see Government Broadband Index The Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative was a sweeping overhaul planned by the Maryland Transit Administration under the administration of then-Maryland Governor Robert Ehrlich and his transportation secretary Robert...
, it was proposed that Route 55 would operated every 30 minutes versus the previous 40, and Sunday service would be introduced. No routing changes were planned initially to Route 55. But this plan was later delayed due to public outcry over changes to other routes.
In 2006, under a revision, MTA made plans for Route 55 to loop at the Towson Courthouse rather than GBMC, and for service on the remainder of the route to be provided on other lines. This plan was not implemented immediately. But on October 8, 2006, Sunday service was introduced, reflecting this new routing.
On February 17, 2008, these changes were implemented seven days a week, despite public outcry over transfers that would be required to reach Towson University
Towson University
Towson University, often referred to as TU or simply Towson for short, is a public university located in Towson in Baltimore County, Maryland, U.S...
and area hospitals.