With one big veto, Maryland governor chooses roads over rail
Written by RT&S Staff
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan’s recent veto will not give extra assistance to rail maintenance.
Maryland MTA
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has rejected a bill that would have provided millions of dollars a year to rail and bus systems.
The Transit Safety and Investment Act would have provided additional funds for maintenance, specifically rail maintenance, and environmentally friendly technologies. The measure would have supplied $123 million annually.
According to state Sen. Cory McCray, who was one of the sponsors of the bill, there is over a $2 billion backlog of maintenance infrastructure for light rail, MTA subway and MARC trains.
Opponents of the bill, however, said the veto was the right move because more money needs to be concentrated in road and bridge work.
McCray vowed to continue the fight for rail maintenance. He said a more robust approach will be taken either in a special session this year or a session next January to make sure the state is moving in the right direction from a transit perspective.
Read more articles on rail maintenance.
