LocalLink 73 (BaltimoreLink)
| Company type | Public transit bus service |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Predecessor | Bus Route D (1923–1948) |
| Founded | 1948 |
Area served | Baltimore, Maryland, United States |
| Owner | Maryland Transit Administration |
| Website | mta |
Route 51 is a bus line managed by the Maryland Transit Administration that operates within Baltimore and its surrounding suburbs. The route connects the Rogers Avenue Metro Subway Station with the Patapsco Light Rail Stop, passing through neighborhoods such as Arlington, Ashburton, Mondawmin, Rosemont, Baltimore, Cherry Hill, Mt. Winans, and the suburban area of Baltimore Highlands.
History
The current Route 51 primarily evolved from Bus Route D, which was operated by Auxiliary Bus Lines between 1923 and 1948 along segments of what is now served by Route 51, particularly on Bentalou and Monroe Streets. Additionally, Auxiliary Bus Lines ran a distinct service along Hollins Ferry Road in Baltimore Highlands. The designation "51" was introduced in 1948.
With the inauguration of the Baltimore Metro Subway in 1984, Route 51 was modified to serve three subway stations. Its northern endpoint was extended from the intersection of Belvedere and Groveland Avenues to the Rogers Avenue Station. Furthermore, select trips began servicing the Cherry Hill neighborhood.
In 2001, Route 51 combined with Route 30, which had been in operation since 1993. This merger extended most trips—excluding those to Cherry Hill—to the Patapsco Light Rail Stop via Hollins Ferry Road, covering areas including Mt. Winans and Baltimore Highlands. Trips serving Cherry Hill were also lengthened to reach Patapsco using Hanover Street and Patapsco Avenue.
During the 2005 Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative, MTA proposed discontinuing the Cherry Hill branch while increasing service frequency to Mt. Winans; however, these changes were never implemented. A revised proposal in 2006 suggested extending Route 51 northward to the Reisterstown Plaza Metro Subway Station to substitute for a portion of Route 27, which was slated for elimination. This plan also included removing some deviations to Metro stations to improve scheduling efficiency.
Public resistance prevented the elimination of trips serving Cherry Hill, resulting in these proposed alterations remaining unexecuted.
In 2014, Route 51 was rerouted within southwest Baltimore to include service to the Horseshoe Casino located on Russell Street. The revised path utilized Russell, Haines, Warner, Bayard, and Wicomico Streets.