LocalLink 36 (BaltimoreLink)
| Company type | Public transit service |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Predecessor | Route 55 |
| Founded | 1973 |
| Headquarters | Baltimore , United States |
Area served | Baltimore and surrounding communities |
| Products | Bus service |
| Owner | Maryland Transit Administration |
LocalLink 36 is a bus service managed by the Maryland Transit Administration operating within Baltimore and its surrounding communities. This route connects Towson to Fox Ridge, making stops in Parkville, Overlea, Rosedale, Essex, and the Essex campus of the Community College of Baltimore County.
History
The origin of Route 36 dates back to 1973 when it was designated as Route 55, running between Overlea and Towson with branches along Joppa Road and Taylor Avenue, also providing service to Hunt Valley. However, one year later, service to Hunt Valley was cut back to terminate at Towson following the launch of Route 9.
In 1977, Route 55 combined with Route 2, which previously offered limited trips between Overlea and Fox Ridge. For approximately twenty years afterward, the route operated from Towson to Franklin Square Hospital, with certain peak-hour services extending to Fox Ridge. Express trips connecting Towson directly to Essex were introduced but discontinued by 1992.
By 1997, all scheduled trips were extended to Fox Ridge. The subsequent year saw the elimination of two daily trips via Taylor Avenue passing through Parkville.
As part of the Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative in 2005, there were proposals to enhance Route 55 by increasing its frequency to every half hour and adding Sunday service without altering its path. Nevertheless, these plans faced delays due to public resistance related to other route modifications.
In 2006, the MTA suggested adjusting Route 55 so that it would loop at Towson Courthouse instead of GBMC, with other routes covering the remaining segments. This revised Sunday schedule commenced on October 8, 2006.
Despite concerns about additional transfers required for access to Towson University and nearby medical facilities, these adjustments were put into effect daily starting February 17, 2008.
On June 18, 2017, as part of the BaltimoreLink overhaul, Route 55 was renamed LocalLink 36.