Transportation
3430 Court House Drive
Ellicott City, MD 21043
United States
About Us
The Office of Transportation, within the Department of County Administration, oversees transportation planning efforts related to bicycle and pedestrian facilities, public transportation services, comprehensive regional planning, and Transportation Demand Management. It also oversees Complete Streets policy implementation, e-scooter permitting, and the Howard County Bikeshare program. It receives guidance from the Multimodal Transportation Board and the Bicycle Advisory Group.
What's Happening
Check here for the latest public meetings, events and updates from the Office of Transportation.
Alternative Transportation Options in Howard County
Bike Lanes through Resurfacing FY23 Public Meeting
Biking Directions for July 4th at the Lakefront
Bikeshare System Closure
Howard County Electric Scooters Sharing System Launched June 3
MTB Monthly Meeting - June 28, 2022 at 7pm
RTA Service Adjustments Begin February 6, 2022
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Free Student Bus Passes
All Howard County Public School System middle and high school students are now able to ride Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland buses for FREE! Visit your school office for details on how to get your FREE student bus pass good through next September. More info: howardcountymd.gov/News082521
New Howard County Circuit Courthouse Served by RTA Route 403
The new Howard County Circuit Courthouse, located at 9250 Judicial Way, Ellicott City, MD 21043, is served by the Old Annapolis Road/Bendix Road stop on Route 403. For more information on routes and schedules, visit: transitrta.com/routes/ For more information on the new courthouse, visit: howardcountymd.gov/News071321.
Programs and Resources
Title
Active Transportation Open House
Content
The Active Transportation Open House, formerly the BikeHoward Open House, is held annually to update the public on the County’s goals, priorities, and progress toward make Howard County bikeable and walkable.
Title
Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning and Implementation
Content
The Office of Transportation takes lead in the design and planning stages of bicycle and pedestrian planning projects in the county.
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Boards and Advisory Groups
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The Multimodal Transportation Board (MTB) advises the County Executive and County Administration on transportation matters, particularly involving the County’s local bus system contractor, the Regional Transportation Agency, and other multimodal issues and initiatives. The Multimodal Transportation Board holds meetings on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. The Webex meetings are open to the public, but registration is required.
The Bicycle Advisory Group (BAG) advises the County Executive and County Administration on matters of bicycle transportation, particularly the implementation of the Bicycle Master Plan. The BAG meets at least quarterly. Meetings take place in the Columbia/Ellicott Room at the George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive in Ellicott City. Meetings are held virtually on the Webex platform during the pandemic.
The Transit and Pedestrian Advisory Group (TPAG) advised the County Executive and County Administration on matters of public transit and pedestrian transportation. Having ended on April 5, 2021 its duties and responsibilities were reassigned to the Multimodal Transportation Board.
Title
Complete Streets Policy Implementation
Content
Howard County has adopted a Complete Streets Policy and is developing a Complete Streets Design Manual to be completed by October 2021. These initiatives were recommended in both the Howard County General Plan (PlanHoward) and the Howard County Bicycle Master Plan (BikeHoward), and were required by the adoption of Council Resolution 35-2016.
Title
Go Howard
Content
Transportation Demand Management is moving people, not vehicles, and creating a more efficient use of our roadways. It's providing and encouraging Transportation Options for those who want them such as biking, walking, taking the bus or train, commuting at non-peak hours/days or even the commute you don't make: working from home. Go Howard is the Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program of Howard County, Maryland, funded by the Maryland Department of Transportation -- Maryland Transit Administration and the Howard County Office of Transportation.
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Regional Transportation Agency
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The Office of Transportation manages and oversees the contract under which the Regional Transportation Agency (RTA) provides fixed route bus and paratransit services in Howard County, Anne Arundel County, Prince George’s County and the City of Laurel. Funding is shared by the partner jurisdictions with support from federal and state sources to offset the gap between farebox and other revenues and capital and operating costs. The RTA runs 15 fixed routes, provides complementary paratransit service to people with disabilities, and general-purpose transportation for both elderly people and people with disabilities.
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Transit Development Plan
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The Howard County Transit Development Plan (TDP) is a short-term (typically a five-year period) plan to guide transit system development. The TDP provides a vision of the future public transportation system.
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Transportation Studies & Projects
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The Office of Transportation coordinates closely with the Department of Planning and Zoning, the Department of Public Works and state agencies to develop transportation plans and projects for all modes.
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Transportation Town Hall
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The Office of Transportation participates in the County Executive's Transportation Town Halls along with representatives from the Department of Public Works, the Howard County Police Department, the Regional Transportation Agency as well as various state agencies covering issues such as transportation safety, Complete Streets, transit and regional planning.
In addition to the Town Hall, feedback about the County's transportation system is always accepted. Comments and questions may be sent to different offices and agencies depending on the nature of the comment.
Transportation and transit planning, and Complete Streets Policy implementation:
transportation@howardcountymd.gov
Traffic control concerns such as intersection safety, traffic calming, and mis-timed traffic signal or school flashers:
traffic@howardcountymd.gov
Traffic enforcement concerns:
hcpd@howardcountymd.gov
RTA transit service:
consumer@transitRTA.com
