LocalLink 93 (BaltimoreLink)
| Company type | Public transit bus route |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Predecessor | Routes 8, 8B, 55, and Route 9 |
| Founded | 1974 |
| Headquarters | Baltimore , United States |
Area served | Baltimore suburbs, including Lutherville, Timonium, Cockeysville, Hunt Valley, Towson |
| Owner | Maryland Transit Administration |
| Website | mta |
LocalLink 93 is a bus route managed by the Maryland Transit Administration serving the suburbs of Baltimore. This line connects the Lutherville Light Rail Stop with International Circle near Hunt Valley Town Center, covering the communities of Timonium and Cockeysville.
This route replaced segments formerly covered by Routes 8, 8B, and 55. Following the BaltimoreLink restructuring on June 18, 2017, Route 93 took over the entirety of Route 9’s service area and extended operations to Downtown Towson.
History
Established in 1974, Route 9 took over multiple transit lines running along the York Road corridor north of Towson. Historically, areas south of Towson along York Road were served by the no. 8 streetcar and bus services. The earliest transit on York Road north of Towson was provided by the Towson and Cockeysville Railroad from 1912 to 1923.
Prior to 1974, the no. 9 designation referred to various Baltimore transit routes: the Halethorpe Streetcar (1900–1926), which was later incorporated into the no. 3 streetcar (present-day Route 35); the Ellicott City Streetcar (1927–1952), subsequently converted to bus routes now partially operated by Route 150 and Route 23; and a shuttle service between Sparrows Point and Ft. Howard (1971–1973), which ceased after interim coverage by Routes 4 and 6 ended in the late 1990s.
Origin
Initially, Route 9 ran between downtown Baltimore and Towson State University during peak periods, with no weekend service until limited trips were introduced in 1986.
As northern Baltimore County experienced growth, Route 9 expanded its reach to include International Circle, Loveton Business Park, and newly developed residential and commercial zones.
With the launch of Baltimore’s Central Light Rail in 1992, Route 9 eliminated all trips south of Northern Parkway except for a few early morning runs.
By 1993, service frequency during midday and evenings improved from hourly intervals to every 15 minutes. To prevent duplication with Route 8, the southern off-peak terminus shifted to Lutherville Light Rail Stop. Weekend service increased to every 45 minutes on Saturdays and hourly on Sundays.
In response to the light rail extension reaching Hunt Valley in 1997, midday bus service was reduced by half.
In 2000, Route 9 was consolidated with Route 8; certain Route 8 trips were extended beyond Lutherville to Hunt Valley, ensuring uninterrupted bus coverage along York Road.
Overhaul and return of service
Under the Greater Baltimore Bus Initiative in October 2005, Route 9 was restored after a five-year absence when Route 8 reverted to its original route. Initially, service to Loveton Business Park was discontinued; however, International Circle service resumed in February 2006.
Because Hunt Valley Town Centre imposed weight restrictions on MTA buses starting June 2005, Route 9 was curtailed to terminate at International Circle for layovers.
Presently, Route 9 consistently operates between Lutherville Light Rail Stop and International Circle, with schedule modifications mainly during peak hours aimed at improving frequency and reliability.
BaltimoreLink
As a component of the BaltimoreLink transit system redesign, LocalLink 93 succeeded Route 9 on June 18, 2017. While maintaining the original routing, this updated service expanded its southbound coverage to include Towson.
External links
- Route 9 map and schedule, effective June 14, 2009