Greenbelt–BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport Express Line

The Greenbelt–BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport Express Line (commonly shortened to the Greenbelt–BWI Airport Line), designated Route B30, was a weekday-only bus route operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority between Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and the Greenbelt station of the Green and Yellow Lines of the Washington Metro.[1] When it last ran, the line operated every 70 minutes five days a week along the Baltimore–Washington Parkway between these two locations with no intermediate stops, with the exception of the BWI Business District Light Rail Stop and Arundel Mills Mall,[2] and the last bus leaving BWI at 10:09 pm. The trip was approximately 50 minutes long.

B30
Greenbelt–BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport Line
Route B30 at Arundel Mills Mall
Overview
SystemMetrobus
OperatorWashington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
GarageLandover
StatusDiscontinued
Began service2001
Ended service2020
Route
LocalePrince George's County
Anne Arundel County
Communities servedGreenbelt
Landmarks servedBWI Business District station

BWI Airport

Arundel Mills Mall
StartGreenbelt station
ViaBaltimore-Washington Parkway
EndBWI Marshall Airport
LengthNorthbound: 30.7 miles (49.41 km)
Service
LevelDaily
Frequency70 minutes
Weekend frequencyNo Service
Operates6:00 AM – 10:45 PM (weekdays)
TransfersSmarTrip only
TimetableGreenbelt-BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport Express Line
← B29  {{{system_nav}}}  C2 →

Service

Service operates every 70 minutes between Greenbelt station and Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport on weekdays only.[3] WMATA uses 6 2006 New Flyer D40LFRs numbered 6212–6217 to operate on the route based out of Landover Division. However, other buses can be used on the route if the D40LFRs are running on other routes or going under maintenance. The original vehicles used were now retired 1997 Orion Vs numbered 4390–4395. Each bus has suburban seating with overhead luggage racks with a larger luggage rack in the middle of the bus.

Stops

Background

Service began on November 16, 2001 to connect service to BWI Airport from Prince George's County.

The line is unique for being the only WMATA bus line that has a connection with any Maryland Transit Administration non-commuter services, and is responsible for providing a regular link between the two services. The original $3 one-way fare was seen as a bargain compared with other transportation modes in the area, including Greyhound and MARC Train Service.[2]

In 2007, it was reported that the B30 line was partly responsible for BWI Airport ranking as one of the nation's top 10 airports in ease of access.[4] WMATA also provides higher levels of service on the line in special times of need, especially on certain holidays.[5]

The state of Maryland, which provides funds for operating the service, has been criticized for doing little to promote its use.[2]

Between 2016–17, WMATA proposed to eliminate the B30 route completely due to the route under-performing under WMATA standards.[6][7]

On June 25, 2017, weekend service for the B30 was discontinued and the one-way fare for the route was increased to $7.50 making the B30 bus a more expensive option than the MARC train. Buses also increase head-ways from 40 to 60 minutes.[8]

On June 24, 2018, the B30 was rerouted to serve Arundel Mills via Arundel Mills Boulevard.[9]

On December 30, 2018, head-ways were increased from 60 to 70 minutes.[10]

Through the years, WMATA proposed to eliminate all route B30 service due to low ridership and multiple alternative services.[11][12][13] The route last operated on March 17, 2020 due to Metro's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. When WMATA began to increase service in August 2020, the B30 remained suspended. By September 2021, with WMATA beginning improved frequencies on high ridership routes, all suspended routes, including the B30 was no longer mentioned on WMATAs website.[14]

See also

References
  1. Elise H. Ford (2009). Frommer's Portable Washington, Part 3. Wiley Publishing, Inc. p. 12. ISBN 978-0-470-38433-6.
  2. Dresser, Michael (February 12, 2007). "Obscure Third Way Connects Baltimore and Washington". Baltimore Sun. p. 1.B. Retrieved March 20, 2011.(subscription required)
  3. https://www.bwiairport.com/to-from-bwi/transportation/transit/wmata
  4. Scott Dance (August 15, 2007). "BWI passenger access draws industry praise". Baltimore Business Journal.
  5. "Metro to have additional buses and trains on standby in anticipation of Thanksgiving week travel to regional airports" (Press release). WMATA. November 17, 2010. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
  6. Carloan, Alex (13 February 2017). "WMATA wants to eliminate the Greenbelt-BWI bus route. College Park officials disagree". The DiamondBack. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
  7. Vinopal, Courtney (20 July 2017). "With Metro's Cuts to the BWI Bus, Everyday Commuters May Be Hit Hardest". Washingtonian. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
  8. "Be Ready for Metro Changes June 25th, 2017" (PDF) (Press release). WMATA. June 25, 2017. Retrieved June 26, 2017.
  9. "Metrobus Service Changes, June 24 | WMATA". www.wmata.com. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  10. "Metrobus Service Changes, December 30 | WMATA". www.wmata.com. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  11. "MARYLAND Proposed Metrobus Service Changes" (PDF). Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  12. "FY2021 Budget Update; FY2022 Budget Outlook and Approval for Public Hearing for FY21 Budget Amendment" (PDF). Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  13. "Proposed Service Adjustments by Jurisdiction" (PDF). Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  14. "Improved frequency and changes to Metrobus service begin Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021 | WMATA". www.wmata.com. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
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