ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Governor Wes Moore announced the Maryland Transit Administration will provide free MARC and commuter bus service to federal workers during the ongoing government shutdown.
The governor made the announcement at a resource fair in Howard County, where state political leaders outlined additional support measures for the 269,000 federal workers living in Maryland, according to the state Department of Labor. This figure does not include Marylanders on active duty in the military.
“This is what Maryland does in times of crisis: We band together and we help each other out,” said Gov. Moore. “But while Maryland is mobilizing to ease the shutdown’s burden on our people, let’s be clear, no state can fill the gap created by the federal government. The longer this shutdown lasts, the more pain we will feel, so it’s time for Donald Trump to come to the negotiating table on health care and open the government.”
Governor Moore announces free transit for federal workers during shutdown
The free service will be provided from now through the remainder of the federal government shutdown.
Anyone with a federal ID badge can ride for free by showing their badge to the operator.
SEE MORE: Resources for Marylanders during the Government shutdown
The free transit program is the latest in a series of state benefits designed to ease the financial burden on federal employees during the shutdown. Other assistance already offered includes unemployment insurance for furloughed workers and contractors, a loan program, and job placement assistance.
When asked whether the state could cover additional federal benefits like SNAP or WIC, Moore said no, explaining that no state has the resources to cover those costs.
"We're going to do everything that we can do to support our people," Moore said. "We're going to do everything that we can do to make sure that we are covering down for the federal government that is just completely inept and can't get their job done. And it gets me because the federal government is doing something the states can't do. Like Maryland's not going to shut down. No family, no parent is looking at their children saying, you know what, I'm shutting it down. Who does that? Only Washington, I guess."
The resource fair in Howard County provided federal workers with information about available state assistance programs as the shutdown continues without signs of ending.
