Weekend MARC trains between D.C. and Baltimore will start Dec. 7, O’Malley announces (College Park: college, price)

[Urban Peasant]

I plan to ride MARC from DC to Baltimore this Sunday and I have never ridden the system before. What's the best time to purchase a ticket, a day in advance or right before I board? Does MARC sell roundtrip tickets?

Up here in Boston, you can purchase a ticket for commuter rail anytime even if it means standing room only on busy trains. And yes we too have a $3 surcharge for any ticket purchased on board when the station you boarded from has its own ticket outlet. I assume MARC has a similar policy right?

[picardlx]

You can purchase MARC one-way tickets up to a year in advance. You purchase two one-way tickets for a round trip. You would only request a round trip ticket when you're purchasing onboard and wanting to avoid the $3 penalty twice (i.e. once for each one-way ticket purchase).

[mpheels]

When you're at the station, you can purchase from the ticket counter or from a quick track machine. There is a machine behind the information desk that usually doesn't have a line.

After seeing the crowds this past weekend, definitely give yourself some extra time to get tickets and through the station. It will not be as crowded this coming weekend, but there may still be a long-ish line for tickets with the holiday weekend.

[phoenixmike11]

MTA to introduce bike car to weekend MARC service - Baltimore Sun

new bike car on select trains on MARC weekend service

[phoenixmike11]

MTA expands Camden Line MARC service to bolster university connections - Baltimore Sun

Expanded service on Camden line to College Park beginning 3/9

[Woodlands]

Originally Posted by phoenixmike11

MTA expands Camden Line MARC service to bolster university connections - Baltimore Sun

Expanded service on Camden line to College Park beginning 3/9

From my own self serving position.. I hate the fact that they are adding College Park to the 553 Camden Line train.. that currently expresses to Muirkirk.. BUT.. I understand why they would want to do it....it will just make my Camden Line Trip to Baltimore a little longer...... I never realized that College Park had that much demand.....

I remember when they wanted to cut St. Denis from the Camden Line.. Those resident in that area raised hell.. all two of them.. and service was retained.......LOL>

Also speaking of the Camden Line.. I wonder with the plans surrounding the new Under Armour Development at Port Covington if they will make a DC to Fed Hill Train that would bring service near Port Covington/Federal Hill? They could likely divert two trains a day to Riverside-instead of Camden Yards (the current yard for the Camden Line) and achieve an expanded service

[dogpark]

Originally Posted by Woodlands

Also speaking of the Camden Line.. I wonder with the plans surrounding the new Under Armour Development at Port Covington if they will make a DC to Fed Hill Train that would bring service near Port Covington/Federal Hill? They could likely divert two trains a day to Riverside-instead of Camden Yards (the current yard for the Camden Line) and achieve an expanded service

Now that would be killer! The UA development at Port Covington will be a big deal for the city, and it is perfectly situated for rail service.

[cdmoore125]

Originally Posted by dogpark

Now that would be killer! The UA development at Port Covington will be a big deal for the city, and it is perfectly situated for rail service.

I've thought about this for a while actually, as there were some mentions of using Riverside yard (interview KLynch did with a delegate a year ago), but the space seems tight to be honest. Further, that would really make Camden Station almost useless. I think using Lot O at M&T Bank Stadium would make a better use, as there is plenty of parking there as well. Then UA could have some sort of shuttle. But this way it'd serve more than UA.

[mpheels]

Originally Posted by cdmoore125

I've thought about this for a while actually, as there were some mentions of using Riverside yard (interview KLynch did with a delegate a year ago), but the space seems tight to be honest. Further, that would really make Camden Station almost useless. I think using Lot O at M&T Bank Stadium would make a better use, as there is plenty of parking there as well. Then UA could have some sort of shuttle. But this way it'd serve more than UA.

Rather than have UA provide a shuttle, it would be really nice if MTA would add a transit option between he stadium that provides reasonable service to Port Covington. That would support commuters for UA, and also help city center residents get to the Walmart and the new UA retail complex without needing a car. Right now, the "shortest" MTA option from the stadium is a rambling 30 minute bus ride through Westport and Cherry Hill.

[cdmoore125]

Originally Posted by mpheels

Rather than have UA provide a shuttle, it would be really nice if MTA would add a transit option between he stadium that provides reasonable service to Port Covington. That would support commuters for UA, and also help city center residents get to the Walmart and the new UA retail complex without needing a car. Right now, the "shortest" MTA option from the stadium is a rambling 30 minute bus ride through Westport and Cherry Hill.

Apparently I rep you too often as CityData told me to spread the love. I couldn't agree more with this. While the MTA data is poor, the Transit App is awesome, and I hope it all leads to better and more timely service. If someone can design an app with poor data, I am hopeful that someone can illustrate the standard deviations on the service. Average headway is not a good measure. For example, if one bus is 15 minutes early and one is 15 minutes late, the average headway is in line with schedules. But the standard deviation should differ significantly, depending on whatever the average headway is for the route and time.