Cecil Transit Launches New Commuter Connection to Bridge Gap in Commuter Rail Service

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 17, 2018 

ELKTON, MD -- Beginning on April 30, 2018, Cecil Transit will launch a new fixed route service connecting the Perryville and Newark train stations with an intermediate park and ride stop at Cecil College, located in North East, Maryland.

The Commuter Connection will bridge the approximately twenty mile gap in commuter rail service between MARC and SEPTA, the only gap in about 460 miles of commuter rail between Richmond, Virginia and New London, Connecticut. Additionally, commuters who are currently driving to catch a train may now choose to drive and park their vehicles at either the Cecil College Park and Ride or the Newark Train Station.

“The creation of the park and ride was a collaborative effort between Cecil College and Cecil Transit and is an important feature of the new route. Commuters in the region  surrounding Cecil College will have the added benefit of catching the bus at the park and ride versus driving the additional distance to the train station,” said Suzanne Kalmbacher, Cecil Transit Chief.

“After considerable planning, we are very excited to introduce the new Commuter Connection that will serve to bridge the existing commuter rail gap between Perryville and Newark; this stopgap solution provides commuters the opportunity to connect with both MARC and SEPTA services”, added David Trolio, Director of the Cecil County Department of Community Services.

The Commuter Connection will operate two daily shifts. The morning route will begin at the Newark Train Station at approximately 4:25 AM and end at 8:50 AM. The route will resume in the afternoon at 2PM and run through approximately 9:20 PM. Regular fare will be $2.00 per one way trip and half-fare will apply to individuals age 60 or over and those with a disability. Passengers can purchase twelve-ride passes for the cost of ten rides.

The route schedule has been configured to make as may direct connections as possible between the two rail services with an emphasis on the MARC schedule. Direct connections have been provided for five arriving and three departing MARC trains.

Passengers can download the free RouteShout 2.0 application from their smart phone to track buses in real time and receive predicted arrival times.

Cecil Transit will celebrate the start of the new route with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, April 30th at 10AM at the bus canopy adjacent to the Cecil County Administration Buidling in Elkton.

For more information regarding the Commuter Connection, or to learn more about all of the Cecil Transit services, call  (410) 996-5295, Option 2 or visit www.ceciltransit.com.

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