LocalLink 51 (BaltimoreLink)
| Company type | Bus route |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Predecessor | Route 11 |
| Founded | 2017-06-18 |
Area served | Baltimore, Maryland, United States |
| Owner | Maryland Transit Administration |
Route 51 is a bus route managed by the Maryland Transit Administration serving Baltimore and its surrounding suburbs. It operates between Towson and Downtown Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, following the Charles Street corridor. This route took over from Route 11 on June 18, 2017, as part of the BaltimoreLink transit system restructuring.
As part of the Bus Network Improvement Project, Route 11 was shortened to cover only the stretch between Towson and the Inner Harbor, with its eastern portion replaced by the newly introduced Route 31 beginning February 22, 2015.
Since February 17, 2008, Route 11 had run from Towson to Canton, reflecting changes from its former long-standing alignment. Although it consistently operated along Charles Street, its branches and southwestern extensions—such as service to Riverview via Washington Boulevard—evolved over time.
The adjustments made in 2008, which were initially proposed nearly ten years earlier and accelerated after 2005, primarily involved substituting the southern segment with an extension of Route 36.
This Charles Street routing is a continuation of the historic 11 Bedford Square streetcar and bus Route O. In February 2015, under the Bus Network Improvement Project, southeastern service was cut back to Light & Lee streets and fully transferred to Route 31.
History
The "Charles Street Line" railroad commenced operations in 1862. The no. 11 streetcar service along Charles Street began in 1929; prior to that, the no. 11 designation had been assigned to lines on Roland Avenue and in Dundalk.
In 1953, Route 11 extended to Murray Hill by merging with Route 56, which had served north of Bedford Square since 1948. By 1959, this line transitioned to bus service and combined with Routes 27 and 52 along Washington Boulevard to offer crosstown connectivity.
Since then, Route 11 has expanded coverage to important locations such as:
- Historic Lutherville
- Towson
- Towson University
- Goucher College
- Greater Baltimore Medical Center
- Rodgers Forge
- Ruxton
During the 1990s, service reductions in Baltimore County occurred due to decreased ridership:
- In 1992, trips to Lutherville Light Rail Stop were rerouted via Kenilworth Drive toward Towson; service to Ruxton via Bellona Avenue was cut back. Osler Drive (then called "Towson State") trips were extended to Towson following the opening of the Central Light Rail Line.
- In 1996, Osler Drive trips were discontinued and shortened to Rodgers Forge because of low demand.
- In 1997, all Kenilworth trips were extended to Goucher College; Saturday service was increased and frequency improved to hourly intervals.
- In 2003, due to resident concerns, Goucher College trips were redirected via Towsontown Boulevard; other trips continued serving Charles Street and areas near the Beltway.
Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative
In 2005, as part of the Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative, MTA proposed changes for Route 11. The northern segment would maintain service with a modified routing through Rodgers Forge in Towson, ending at Greater Baltimore Medical Center. After passing through downtown Baltimore, buses would serve Canton instead of Riverview. The southern section would be replaced by an extended Route 36. This proposal aimed to establish direct connections between Charles Village, Penn Station, and Canton.
The plan experienced delays and revisions in 2006: the northern terminus was altered to Towson Courthouse, and a new peak-hour branch was added to serve Roland Park, replacing the planned elimination of Route 61. After several postponements, these modifications went into effect on February 17, 2008; however, Route 61 continued operating peak-hour service to Roland Park.
BaltimoreLink
On June 18, 2017, the BaltimoreLink network was introduced, resulting in the complete substitution of Route 11 by LocalLink 51.