BaltimoreLink riders: proposed MTA fare tariff changes effective Aug. 11, 2026—how to comment by July 31

BaltimoreLink riders get a chance to weigh in on MDOT MTA’s proposed Fare Tariff changes for “Baltimore Core Services” (Local Bus, Metro Subway, Light Rail, and related Call-a-Ride services). The proposed updates would become effective on or about Monday, Aug. 11, 2026—but first, the agency is holding a virtual public hearing on Tuesday, June 30, 2026 and taking written comments through Friday, July 31, 2026.

What’s proposed for BaltimoreLink fares

MDOT MTA’s posted proposal (Tariff #2 for the June 30, 2026 hearing) includes four headline fare-policy changes:

• A new “All Access Student Semester” pass: a 155-day (five-month) pass at $150.
• A new low-income fare program: described in the proposed tariff as a program that may be introduced within six months of the hearing date of Fare Tariff #2.
• More free-transit-day coverage: MDOT MTA proposes adding September 22, World Car-Free Day as a free transit day.
• Federal government shutdown option: MDOT MTA would allow the MTA Administrator to authorize free travel for federal employees for up to four weeks during a federal government shutdown (with riders required to show a valid federal government-issued ID identifying them as a federal employee).

The proposal also lays out how “free transit day” rules would work for Baltimore Core Services. On an annual basis, the tariff text says neither Single Trip nor Round Trip fares would be charged to riders who use Core Services on Transit Equity Day (February 4), Earth Day (April 22), or World Car-Free Day (September 22). On a biannual basis, the tariff also says fares wouldn’t be charged on Election Day (the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November in even-numbered years). For riders, there’s also an important operational detail: the tariff text says no credit is given if a previously purchased fare product is used or expires unused on a free transit day.

Who should review the details now

Even if you don’t ride every day, these proposal items are the sort of fare rules that can change what it costs to commute, attend school, and run errands:

• Students and families: the proposed “All Access Student Semester” pass is described in the tariff text as being available to students at schools that participate in the MTA’s FareShare Program.
• Low-income riders: the proposed low-income fare program is tied to participation in Maryland’s SNAP and requires using the CharmPass mobile ticketing application.
• People planning travel around specific dates: the proposal expands the set of days when fares would be charged (or not charged), including World Car-Free Day.
• Federal employees: if a federal government shutdown occurs, the proposal includes a mechanism for the MTA Administrator to authorize limited free travel, with the requirement to show a valid federal government-issued ID.

How to participate: hearing date and comment deadline

MDOT MTA is taking both live testimony and written comments for the official hearing record.

• Virtual public hearing: Tuesday, June 30, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.
  Testimony is audio only. Advance registration is not offered. The posted instructions also indicate real-time captioning and language translation.
• Written comments deadline: Friday, July 31, 2026 (for the official public hearing record).
  Comments may be submitted by email to HearingComments@mdot.maryland.gov with the subject line “Fare Policy Comments”, or mailed to MTA Office of Customer Relations, 6 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21202.

What happens next

This is a proposed fare tariff update, not a final, already-approved change. MDOT MTA is using the June 30 hearing and the July 31 written-comment window to build the record before the proposed effective timing of Aug. 11, 2026.

If you rely on student passes, SNAP-related reduced fares, or free-transit-day rules, now is the time to review the exact proposed language and make your comments specific—especially if your concern is about eligibility, how you’d use a pass or phone app, or how the free-day rules operate.

Sources

• MDOT MTA — Fare Tariff Policy (proposed changes + hearing/comment details)
• Proposed MTA Fare Tariff #2 (June 2026 public hearing) — tariff text for Baltimore Core Services