Big Changes Coming for Penn Line, Including Special Express Train to Odenton

The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) has announced several changes to the schedule on the MARC Train's Penn Line, citing the need to reduce crowding and avoid scheduling conflicts with Amtrak. 

The changes would start on March 14 and are pending approval by the Maryland Board of Public Works. 

Among the changes include the addition of two trains during morning and afternoon rush hours, and a special limited-stop train to Odenton from Union Station in the afternoon.

A northbound express train would leave Washington, D.C. at 5:10 p.m. and arrive in Odenton at 5:35 p.m., stopping only in New Carrollton along the way. The limited-stop train would make the the northbound trip to Odenton about five minutes shorter than most other trains. 

The new schedule includes five additional trips from Martin State Airport and seven more trips from the rail station at BWI/Thurgood Marshall International Airport.

The MTA made the changes after an analysis revealed too many standing-room-only trains during rush hour, while other trains during the day had capacity. Under the new plance, some train sets will have fewer cars, which will open up more capacity during peak times. About 1,000 new seats will be available during rush hour periods, the MTA said. 

All Penn Line trains will now have six or seven cars during rush hour. While this will reduce capacity for some trains that once had as many as nine cars, it will allow MARC to operate trains more frequently. The shorter trains will also be less taxing on locomotives, MARC said. 

Under the new schedule, commuters coming from Union Station during rush hour will never have to wait more than 20 minutes between trains, and in most instances will wait five or 10 minutes.

MARC officials have come under fire for delays and crowding on the Penn Line, and endured a bout of bad publicity last June when a train broke down in sweltering heat.  

From Feb. 28 to March 9, MARC officials will appear at stations during evening rush hours to answer any questions about the changes. The Board of Public Works will review the proposed changes on Feb. 23.

The proposed new schedule can be viewed here. Riders can also read a special FAQ about the changes. 

There are no changes being announced to MARC's Camden or Brunswick Lines.

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The eight new Penn Line trains are as follows:

NORTHBOUND

- Departing Union Station at 6:15 a.m., stopping in Odenton at 6:42 a.m., Penn Station at 7:10 a.m. and Perryville at 7:54 a.m.

-Departing Union Station at 9:05 a.m., stopping in Odenton at 9:20 a.m., at Penn Station at 9:57 a.m., and Martin Airport at 10:10 a.m.

-Departing Union Station at 4:10 p.m., stopping in Odenton at 4:39 p.m. and at Penn Station at 5:05 p.m.

-Departing Union Station at 5:50 p.m., stopping in Odenton at 6:18 p.m., arriving Baltimore at 6:55 p.m.

SOUTHBOUND

-Departing Baltimore's Penn Station at 5 a.m., stopping in Odenton at 5:26 a.m. and arriving at Union Station at 5:57 a.m.

-Departing Penn Station at 6:45 a.m., stopping in Odenton at 7:13 a.m. and arriving at Union Station at 7:45 a.m.

-Departing Martin Airport at 4:00 p.m., stopping at Penn Station at 4:15 p.m., stopping in Odenton at 4:37 p.m. and arriving Union Station at 5:05 p.m.

-Departing Perryville at 6:25 p.m., arriving Baltimore at 7:08 p.m. (No stop in Odenton.)