LocalLink 62 (BaltimoreLink)
| Company type | Public transit bus line |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | 1971 |
| Headquarters | Baltimore , United States |
Area served | Baltimore suburbs including Essex, Middle River, Rosedale, Dundalk |
| Products | Bus service |
LocalLink 62 is a suburban bus line operating in Baltimore, United States, connecting the Essex campus of the Community College of Baltimore County with Turner's Station in Dundalk. This route services the communities of Rosedale, Middle River, and Essex, including stops at both CCBC Essex and Dundalk campuses. Previously identified as Route 4, LocalLink 62 fully replaced it on June 18, 2017.
History
Service for Route 62 started on November 15, 1971, originally designated as Bus Route 4, operating between Eastpoint Mall and Dundalk. Southbound buses traveled via North Point Road and Wise Avenue, while northbound trips took Merritt Boulevard. A related variant, Route 4A, briefly operated between Eastpoint and Logan Village from 1977 to 1978 before its discontinuation.
Predecessors
Prior to the creation of Route 4, transit along North Point Road was provided by Baltimore Transit Company's Route H from 1925 to 1948 and then by Route 55 from 1948 until 1952 (distinct from today’s Route 55), followed by service from Dundalk Bus Lines. In 1973, Route 4 incorporated Route 9 (operating between 1971 and 1973), extending service to Ft. Howard Veterans Hospital, which had been served by the no. 26 streetcar line until the transition to Dundalk Bus Lines in 1952. Locally, these buses earned the nickname 'the blue bus' to differentiate them from Baltimore Transit Company's yellow buses running on routes 10 and 20.
The no. 4 label was previously assigned to a West Baltimore corridor operated as a streetcar from 1894 to 1935 and later as a bus from 1935 until 1954 before its integration into Route 15, which still runs along that path.
Discontinuation of Ft. Howard service
In 1993, service to Ft. Howard was discontinued on Route 4 following an earlier reduction that decreased frequency to one bus every seventy minutes on remaining segments. This change led to public outcry covered by local news outlets. Subsequently, a private operator temporarily provided transit service until MTA restored limited operations with a newly designated Route 6 running between Eastpoint Mall and Ft. Howard in 1997; however, this route was terminated in 1998.
Extension toward White Marsh
In the year 2000, MTA expanded Route 4 beyond Eastpoint Mall to reach White Marsh Mall, passing through Essex and Rosedale. Additionally, the route extended southward from the Dundalk loop to Turner's Station with a minor reroute to accommodate the CCBC Dundalk campus. This adjustment created the first direct bus connection linking both CCBC campuses on Baltimore’s east side.
Initially, buses traveled through Essex via Mace Avenue, a routing met with local opposition that resulted in rerouting along Rossville Boulevard alongside Route 55. Service frequency was enhanced with buses running every forty minutes during peak hours and hourly during off-peak times. Some trips also included stops at Yellow Brick Road Industrial Park in Golden Ring.
The original routing remained intact: northbound journeys continued along Merritt Boulevard while southbound trips operated on North Point Road and Wise Avenue. Riders were required to transfer within the same line for return travel.
Modifications under the Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative
In 2005, Route 4 experienced major adjustments as part of the Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative:
- The route’s northern endpoint was reduced to terminate at the CCBC Essex Campus following concerns over the discontinuation of direct service by Route 35; passengers traveling to White Marsh were advised to transfer to Route 35.
- Northbound services were rerouted to mirror the southbound path along North Point Road and Wise Avenue, resulting in the removal of stops on Merritt Boulevard; commuters affected by this change faced walks of up to one mile to reach Eastpoint Mall or Wise Avenue.
- Service to Yellow Brick Road Industrial Park was discontinued due to minimal ridership—only 11 daily passengers—and a disproportionately high subsidy per user; a limited number of trips were restored in early 2006.
- During peak hours, bus frequency was decreased to one vehicle per hour consistently. Route 4 shared buses alternately with Route 24, improving operational efficiency until February 2009 when Route 24’s length was shortened. Upon arrival at CCBC Essex campus, buses switched between these two routes.
Adjustment in Middle River
In February 2009, Route 4 was modified to cover Martin Boulevard (Maryland Route 700) in Middle River, an area previously served by the shortened Route 24. Following this change, Route 24 extended its service towards Moravia.
Transition to BaltimoreLink
On June 18, 2017, with the implementation of the BaltimoreLink transit network redesign, LocalLink 62 completely replaced Route 4.
References
- Baltimore's Streetcars and Buses By Gary Helton, pages 89, 125–29,