LocalLink 33 (BaltimoreLink)
| Company type | Public transit service |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Predecessor | Route M-10, Route 66 |
| Founded | 2008-08-24 |
| Headquarters | Baltimore , United States |
Area served | Baltimore and Baltimore County suburbs |
| Owner | Maryland Transit Administration |
| Website | mta |
LocalLink 33, previously known as Route 58, is a bus service managed by the Maryland Transit Administration that operates throughout Baltimore and its neighboring suburbs. This route stretches from the Reisterstown Plaza Metro Subway Station in the west to White Marsh Mall in the east, with certain peak-hour trips ending earlier at Overlea. It serves important neighborhoods including Glen, Cheswolde, Fallstaff, a significant portion of Northern Parkway, and segments of Belair Road located in Baltimore County.
The western portion follows the alignment of the former Route M-10, which has remained mostly consistent since 2005 except for the removal of service to Greenspring Station, now covered by Route 60. The eastern section originates from the defunct Route 66, which was discontinued in 1993.
History
Before 1950, the Greenspring Avenue corridor and Cheswolde neighborhoods were served by the no. 47 streetcar. This line operated from Mt. Washington along Kelly Avenue, preceding the establishment of a light rail stop in that area. Initially planned as part of the Emory Grove Streetcar Line, this route was never fully completed and was eventually abandoned.
Route 58 designation
On August 24, 2008, current Routes 58 and 60 replaced Route M-10. The Route 58 number had been assigned to various bus lines covering overlapping regions but remained unused between 1984 and 2008, during which Metro connection buses provided service.
The first Route 58 began operations in 1948, running from Brighton to Greenspring Manor near Cheswolde. In 1973, it was incorporated into Route 44 as the "Brighton" branch and continued until it was discontinued in 2005 under the Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative; passengers were then advised to use Route M-10.
Another iteration of Route 58 operated between Pimlico and Ranchleigh starting in 1973 but was integrated into Route 5 as a branch in 1975.
From 1973 to 1975, Route 58A ran between Reisterstown Road Plaza and Greenwood via Villa Julie College before merging into Route 5 as a special branch until Metro connection services assumed the route in 1984. Between 1987 and 2005, Route M-12 served this corridor, covering Greenwood, Villa Julie, Stevenson, and Caves Road. Due to poor ridership and continuous reductions, M-12 was eliminated in 2005 under the Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative; it required a subsidy of $9.41 per passenger. Following public resistance, Route M-10 was extended from Greenspring Station to Villa Julie—currently served by Route 60—after proposed cuts along Falls Road.
A distinct Route 58 operated from Reisterstown Road Plaza to Mt. Washington between 1976 and 1978 before being discontinued.
1984-1992
With the opening of the Baltimore Metro Subway in 1984, Routes P-7 and R-2 were introduced. Route P-7 connected Reisterstown Plaza Station to Ranchleigh through Fallstaff, while Route R-2 linked Rogers Avenue Station with Mt. Washington via Cheswolde.
After Phase II of the Metro opened in 1987, Routes P-7 and R-2 were renumbered as M-10 and M-5, respectively. For a brief period, Route M-5 extended service to Towson State University via Ruxton before eventually being discontinued.
1992-2008
The introduction of the Baltimore Light Rail in 1992 prompted the merger of Routes M-5 and M-10 into a unified M-10 line. This combined route served key locations including Reisterstown Plaza and Rogers Avenue Metro stations, Mt. Washington, Falls Road Light Rail stops, as well as most areas previously covered by the individual routes. While Saturday service was initially eliminated, it was restored in 1998, and Sunday service was introduced in 2001.
In 2005, the Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative led to the discontinuation of service along Old Pimlico Road. Instead, trips were redirected through Mt. Washington via Smith Avenue. Weekday trips were extended to Greenspring Station, and peak-hour trips reached Villa Julie College, effectively replacing a portion of the eliminated Route M-12. Although there were considerations to remove Falls Road service altogether, the route was ultimately shortened to terminate at Reisterstown Plaza Metro Station.
2008-present
On August 24, 2008, Route M-10 was divided into two separate routes: 58 and 60. Route 58 maintained the original course from Reisterstown Plaza to Smith and Greenspring before continuing onward to serve the Quarry Lake development. Meanwhile, Route 60 took over full coverage of Clarks Lane and areas east of Greenspring that had been served by the former M-10.
In response to concerns from Quarry Lake residents about bus traffic, Route 58 was modified in February 2009 to include service through Mt. Washington.
On July 3, 2011, Route 58 was extended to White Marsh Mall, taking over segments previously served by Route 15 and enhancing transit access in northern Baltimore County. This extension follows Falls Road, Northern Parkway, Belair Road, and White Marsh Boulevard with hourly service; during peak hours, more frequent trips operate between Reisterstown Plaza Metro Station and Overlea.
With the launch of the BaltimoreLink system redesign in 2017, Route 58 was renamed LocalLink 33.