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MTA offers mass transit options for Preakness attendees

Posted at 11:00 AM, May 15, 2018
and last updated 2018-05-15 11:00:29-04

More than 120,000 spectators are expected to pack Pimlico Race Course for the 2018 Preakness Stakes, as the event has boasted record-setting attendance figures in recent years. 

With so many people descending on the venue's Northern Parkway location, travelers may be interested in utilizing transit options other than driving. The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration is encouraging attendees to utilize public transportation for both Saturday's races and Friday's Black-Eyed Susan Day.

“The Preakness has been a Maryland tradition since the race’s inception in 1873,” said MDOT MTA Chief Operations Officer Sean Adgerson. “We urge everyone heading to Pimlico for all Preakness Day festivities to take transit so they can fully enjoy the day.”

MDOT MTA expects between 5,000 and 6,000 riders taking the Light RailLink, Metro SubwayLink, or Local Bus on Preakness Day, as the services operate between 7:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. One-way fares are $1.80, $3.60 for round-trips, and $4.20 for a Day Pass that provides unlimited rides among the different systems.

BUS

LocalLinks 30 (via Northern Parkway), 31 (via West Belvedere Avenue), 34 (at Northern Parkway and Park Heights Avenue) and 85 (via Park Heights Avenue) all stop near the racetrack.

Shuttle buses also will run from the Rogers Avenue Metro SubwayLink Station and from Poly-Western High School to take people to and from Pimlico Race Course.

LIGHT RAILLINK

Take Light RailLink service to the Cold Spring Lane stop. Then, take the connecting shuttle bus to Pimlico. Shuttle bus service to the track begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m. Return shuttle bus service runs all day to the Cold Spring Lane stop with expanded return service beginning at 6:15 p.m. and ending at 7:30 p.m. A $4.20 Day Pass is required.

METRO SUBWAYLINK

Take Metro SubwayLink to the Rogers Avenue Station. Then, take the connecting shuttle bus to the track. Shuttle bus service to Pimlico begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m. Return shuttle bus service runs all day to the Rogers Avenue Station with expanded return service beginning at 6:15 p.m. and ending at 7:30 p.m. A $4.20 Day Pass is required.

MARC TRAIN

For those traveling outside Baltimore, MARC Weekend Service on the Penn Line is the perfect option. Take MARC Penn Line service to Baltimore Penn Station. Take the Penn/Camden Light RailLink shuttle bus to the Mt. Royal/MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art) Light RailLink stop and transfer to a northbound train to the Cold Spring Lane stop. Take the connecting shuttle bus service to the track. Shuttle bus service to Pimlico begins at 8 a.m. and ends at 2 p.m. Return shuttle bus service runs all day to the Cold Spring Lane Light RailLink stop with expanded return service beginning at 6:15 p.m. and ending at 7:30 p.m. A MARC Train ticket and $4.20 Day Pass are required.