LocalLink 70 (BaltimoreLink)
| Company type | Public transit bus route |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Predecessor | Baltimore and Annapolis Railroad |
| Founded | 1973 |
| Headquarters | Baltimore , United States |
Area served | Baltimore, Annapolis, Maryland |
| Parent | Maryland Transit Administration |
LocalLink 70 is a bus route managed by the Maryland Transit Administration that links Baltimore with Annapolis, Maryland. Its main corridor begins at the Patapsco light rail station located in the southern part of Baltimore County, with select trips terminating early at Jumper's Hole in Pasadena. Ranking among MTA’s lengthiest local lines, it traces the parallel path of Ritchie Highway, servicing neighborhoods such as Brooklyn Park, Glen Burnie, Pasadena, and Severna Park. When Light Rail service is interrupted, LocalLink 70 extends its route into downtown Baltimore via Hanover Street.
This bus route evolved from the former interurban Baltimore and Annapolis Railroad line. Formerly identified as Route 14, it was distinctive under MTA’s previous zone-based fare system—which ended in 1996—for reaching Zone 5, the most distant and highest-priced fare zone from Baltimore City.
History
The Annapolis and Baltimore Short Line Railroad initiated steam-powered rail service between Baltimore and Annapolis in 1887, later converting to electric operation in 1908. After reorganizing as the Baltimore and Annapolis Railroad in 1935, bus services were introduced to complement the rail line; these buses completely replaced train operations on February 5, 1950. The Maryland Transit Administration took over this bus line in 1973, assigning it the Route 14 designation.
Prior to 1973, the number 14 was assigned to a streetcar route running from Ellicott City to downtown Baltimore until its discontinuation in 1954. Present-day service westward to Catonsville is provided by Route 23, while limited trips to Ellicott City are covered by Route 150.
Following the launch of the Central Light Rail Line in 1992 along part of the former interurban corridor, Route 14 was truncated to terminate at Patapsco during Light Rail operational hours, with certain runs extending to Bay Meadow Industrial Park. In 1993, a reroute was added to serve the Cromwell light rail stop.
A new branch introduced in 1996 via Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard took over a portion of the discontinued Route 17 service.
The Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative of 2005 proposed dividing Route 14 into two separate routes: one connecting Patapsco and Jumper's Hole, and another less frequent Route 41 serving Annapolis; however, public opposition prevented this restructuring.
In 2008, Route 14 was segmented into two branches: one maintained the original path to Annapolis, while the other served Jumper's Hole through Quarterfield Shopping Center, which includes a Wal-Mart Supercenter. This branch operates daily except on Sundays.
During the BaltimoreLink network redesign in 2017, Route 14 was renamed LocalLink 75.
External links
- Route 14 map and schedule, effective June 17, 2012.