Mobility Coordination

Transportation Mobility Coordination

An informational flyer has been prepared to assist individuals with finding available transportation options, to help citizens understand how to use the STS transit bus system, and to provide guidance on completing Paratransit applications for STS transportation. The flyer was prepared with assistance from the Human Services Transportation Coordination Committee and includes names, e-mail addresses and phone numbers in order to provide direct transportation assistance for those in need of service. Other transportation service providers are also provided to help address your mobility needs. For additional information on St. Mary's County Americans with Disabilities, visit our website. For more information on access and inclusion, visit the United States Access Board website.

Transportation Development Plan (TDP) On June 25, 2013 the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) approved a 5-year Transportation Development Plan (TDP) to improve public transportation service in St. Mary's County. The Commissioners of St. Mary's County unanimouslysupported the plan and directed staff to begin implementing the service improvements and route alternatives identified in the Plan. During the multi-year implementation of the Plan, the MTA will continue to evaluate the local STS transit system against Performance Standards that were developed for all transit systems in the State of Maryland. These standards include factors such as cost per vehicle hour, cost per vehicle mile, cost per passenger trip, passenger trips per vehicle mile and trips per vehicle hour. Our rural community-based transit program will continue to accomplish an essential mobility mission of the County, connecting people, communities, workplaces, educational institutions, recreational opportunities and many other essential destinations on a regular and continuous basis.

Public Transportation

There are 10 different public transportation routes that operate through Charlotte Hall to California to Leonardtown and Ridge and make connections to both the Charles and Calvert County transit systems. The hours of service range depending on the route (schedules). The buses travel on a State approved series of what are called "fixed" routes which basically means that they must stay on the approved routes and stops and generally cannot deviate, which also helps maintain the bus schedules. Many of the established stops and transfer points are located at major destinations such as shopping centers (i.e. First Colony, Wildewood, San Soucci, Lauren Glen, Hickory Hills) that were established as a part of an evaluation of ridership, population density, service demand, customer surveys, etc. It is important to note, that along these public routes, there are what are referred to as "stop requests" and "flag stops" that allow customers to be picked up and dropped off at various locations along the public routes. For example, there are "stop requests” for the Bean Medical Center (California Southbound Route) and Social Security Administration (Northern Route) that actually drop off passengers at the front door of these facilities. All current Stop Request locations are identified on the STS bus schedules. However, not every public route can provide this type of service and still maintain their schedule, so "flag stops" assist people by allowing passengers to be picked up and dropped off at or near locations of their choice that are not formal bus stops. Discount fare service on the Public Transportation buses for persons with disabilities and seniors are $0.50 for a one way trip and $0.75 with a transfer.

Demand/Response

The Statewide Specialized Transportation Assistance Program is a transportation service designed to serve elderly and persons with disabilities in all other areas in St. Mary's County that are not served by Public Transportation (described above) or ADA transportation (described below). This general purpose transportation is a demand-response service that requires a door-to-door service and provides transportation to employment, to all the senior centers, medical appointments, shopping, hair appointments, health department, personal errands, etc. SSTAP service provides door-to-door transportation to all the senior centers five days a week. It is also designed to operate in separate areas (called "zones") on different days of the week. These zones were established in order to try and accommodate as many passengers as possible that request service in the same general area on the same days. Staff work closely with riders to accommodate their schedules and appointments. The basic zones are as follows:

Zone 1: Monday - STS will serve the Ridge, Lexington park, Great Mills, Callaway, Piney Point, Tall Timbers, St. lnigoes areas and Mechanicsville areas.
Zone 2: Tuesday - STS will serve the Mechanicsville, Charlotte Hall and Golden Beach areas.
Zone 3: Wednesday - STS will serve the Leonardtown, Hollywood, Breton Bay, Lexington park, Compton, Avenue, Chaptico, and Wicomico Shores areas.
Zone 4: Thursday - STS will serve all Zones or all County on this day. (All areas).
Zone 5: Friday - STS will serve the Lexington Park, Wildewood, California, Hollywood and Oakville areas.

Job Access

St. Mary's Transit System (STS) operates Evening and Saturday bus service under a grant funded program called Job Access. As of August 20, 2006 Sunday Service will be provided along the California / Great Mills Loop. Hours of weekend route services range from 6am to 9pm. This particular STS grant initiative is unique to the Tri-County Council of Southern Maryland and is also referred to as the Job Access / Reverse Commute Program. This program provides transportation to unemployed and underemployed individuals as a part of statewide Welfare-to-Work initiatives. Services includes transportation in one direction opposite the main flow of traffic. This service operates in California, Great Mills, Lexington Park, Leonardtown, Loveville, Mechanicsville, and Charlotte Hall. The funding is made up of a combination of Federal , Transit Administration, St Mary's County Department Of Social Services, St. Mary's County Commissioners of St. Mary's County funds, and passenger fares.

ADA Paratransit

Americans with Disabilities Act transportation service is required by law to provide complementary paratransit service to persons with disabilities. ADA paratransit service is also required to offer next-day service. This Paratransit service is available to anyone that qualifies that wants to be picked up or dropped off at any location within three quarters of a mile of all the public transportation routes. Staff works closely with these riders to accommodate their schedules and appointments. Please contact Mary Ann Blankenship by email at [email protected] or by phone at (301) 475-4200 ext. 1120 to obtain an Application Form to determine if you qualify for this program.

Special Event Trips

If you would like information on available carpools, vanpools or other general transportation resources in Southern Maryland, please contact the Tri-County Council at (301) 274-1922.

Disability and Senior Discount Fare Cards

Discount cards are available to persons with disabilities and seniors that can ride the Public Transportation buses. Public Transportation operates Monday through Sunday. Discount fare service on the Public Transportation buses for persons with disabilities and seniors are $0.50 for a one way trip and $0.75 with a transfer. Please contact Mary Ann Blankenship by email at [email protected] or by phone at (301) 475-4200 ext. 1123 to find out how to qualify for these discount programs.

Other Transportation Providers

Other transportation service providers in the County that may also be able to be utilized include but are not limited to; the St. Mary's Hospital, Health Department, Pathways, Cedar Lane Apartments, Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, the Department of Human Services, Center for Life Enrichment, Medical Adult Day Care Centers, ARC of Southern Maryland, and the Developmental Disabilities Administration - Independent Support Services.