CityLink Red (BaltimoreLink)
| Company type | Public transit route |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Predecessor | Route 8 bus |
| Founded | 1963 |
| Headquarters | Baltimore , United States |
Area served | Baltimore and surrounding areas |
| Owner | Maryland Transit Administration |
CityLink Red (RD) is a MTA BaltimoreLink bus route managed by the Maryland Transit Administration, providing transit service throughout Baltimore and its surrounding areas. The route extends from the University of Maryland Transit Center to the Lutherville Light Rail Stop, traveling along York Road and Greenmount Avenue. It holds the distinction of being the busiest bus line within the MTA system. CityLink Red succeeded the former Route 8 bus as part of BaltimoreLink and continues the legacy of the historic 8 Towson and 7 Govanstown streetcar lines.
History
The streetcar known as Route 8 was electrified in 1895, operating between Towson and Catonsville via York Road, Greenmount Avenue, and Frederick Road through downtown Baltimore. Meanwhile, the "no. 7" streetcar served a shorter route between Govanstown and Irvington until it merged into Route 8 in 1931. The transition from streetcar to bus for Route 8 occurred in 1963, marking Baltimore’s final conversion from streetcar lines to bus service.
Over the years, several branches were introduced, such as Mt. Washington (8A, established 1972), Cockeysville (8B, active from 1973 to 1989), Providence/Springlake (8D and 8E, also from 1973 to 1989), as well as routes serving Eudowood, Towson State University campus, and Stella Maris nursing home (opened in 1980). These extensions have either been discontinued or integrated into other services.
In an effort to enhance schedule reliability and better align service frequency with rider demand, Route 8 was divided into two separate lines in 1982. The redefined Route 8 operated between Towson center and the University of Maryland Transit Center, while a new Route 2 provided service from Catonsville to City Hall. Today, this corridor is covered by Route 10.
Following the inauguration of the Central Light Rail in 1992, Route 8 was extended beyond Towson to reach Lutherville Light Rail Stop on Ridgely Road on all days except Sundays. This extension overlapped with Route 9 service, a redundancy that drew criticism for inefficiency. Despite proposed reductions, branches serving Towson State and Stella Maris remained operational.
To address cost concerns in 1993, MTA removed Route 9 service between Towson and Lutherville during off-peak weekday hours and Saturdays. This adjustment allowed increased frequency on other parts of Route 9 while maintaining weekend service levels.
In 2000, Routes 8 and 9 were merged by MTA, with certain trips on Route 8 extended from Lutherville up to Hunt Valley Town Center—accounting for approximately two-thirds of total trips. This created one of the longest routes in MTA’s network, enabling continuous single-seat travel along York Road at all times while reducing operating expenses.
Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative changes
As part of the Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative in 2005, MTA once again separated Routes 8 and 9 into distinct lines. Route 8 resumed daily operations to and from Lutherville, whereas Route 9 covered areas north of Ridgely Road. Several branches including those to Loveton, International Circle (previously served by Route 9), and Stella Maris were discontinued. To alleviate crowding issues, all Route 8 services began utilizing articulated buses offering increased passenger capacity.
Although public transit service to Loveton was withdrawn, local employers arranged private shuttle transportation for their workforce. In response to community feedback, Route 9 was redirected to International Circle in February 2006. Later, in February 2009, Route 83S was introduced by York, Pennsylvania's Rabbit Transit, providing a connection to the light rail system.
Stella Maris Service
The Stella Maris segment of Route 8 was discontinued but later restored under the new designation Route 12 following public requests.
BaltimoreLink
With the BaltimoreLink system revamp on June 18, 2017, CityLink Red fully supplanted Route 8.
Route 48 Quickbus
Introduced on August 30, 2009, Route 48 Quickbus took over from the Route 8 Express Bus. This marked MTA's second Quickbus line after Route 40 was rebranded in January 2007. Running Monday through Saturday every 15 minutes between 5:30 AM and 6:30 PM, Route 48 largely followed Route 8’s path but omitted the Towson to Lutherville section. Unlike standard local services, it only stopped at major transfer hubs, notable landmarks, and heavily trafficked intersections—making a total of 28 stops.
The number 48 has a longstanding history within Baltimore transit, previously used for a streetcar route during 1949-50, the SEET Shuttle in 1988-89, and various school routes from 1997 to 2004.
On June 18, 2017, as part of BaltimoreLink’s transit overhaul, CityLink Red replaced Route 48.
In Popular Culture
- In Back in the day, author Darrin Keith Bastfield reminisces about riding the Greenmount Avenue bus alongside the future rapper Tupac Shakur.
- The bus is commandeered by actress Jean Hill in John Waters's 1981 movie, Polyester.
External links
- Route 8 schedule and map, effective August 29, 2010