Slogan Fast. Friendly. FREE! Locale Baltimore, Maryland Routes Bus: 4
Water Taxi: 3 | Commenced operation January 11, 2010 Service area Downtown Baltimore | |
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Parent Baltimore City Department of Transportation | ||
The Charm City Circulator (CCC or Downtown Circulator) is a privately funded, public transit shuttle bus service giving riders connection to historic sites, parking, and businesses throughout downtown Baltimore for free. The newest system in Maryland was established in 2008, but did not begin inaugural service until January 11, 2010 because of funding issues. The system currently operates four routes on major streets throughout downtown. The system also connects to the city's water taxi and MTA Maryland.
Contents
History
The Charm City Circulator started as a plan by former mayor Sheila Dixon to make Baltimore an eco-friendly city and utilize transport throughout Downtown without the patron spending a dime. The plan was to launch three routes connecting across the inner-city, but delays in bus delivery caused routes to be implemented over 18 months rather than all at once. Service is seven days-a-week, with ten-minute intervals between buses. On January 11, 2010; the Orange Route became the pilot service for the Charm City Circulator travelling east-west via Pratt Street/Lombard Street, Central Avenue, and Baltimore Street. As soon as three months after service of the first line begin, the "CCC" reached the 100,000 riders milestone. Nearly six months later on June 4, the Purple Route began service travelling north-south via Charles Street & St. Paul/Light Streets. The much anticipated Green Route recently began service just outside downtown connecting City Hall to Johns Hopkins Medical Center via Broadway, Fleet Street, and President Street. On August 15, 2011, the city of Baltimore received $1.6 million in federal funds to expand service to Fort McHenry sometime in early 2012. The new route branded the "Banner Route" color branded as Blue Route will relieve congestion and make it easier for visitors to get to/from the famous landmark as well just in time for the War of 1812 bicentennial celebration. The expansion comes as the line's operator is the subject of some protests in Europe over its operations in Israel.