Maryland’s Transit Strains Mirror National $140B Backlog

A recent report puts a staggering number on a growing problem: $140.2 billion in needed repairs and upgrades for the nation’s public transit systems. The backlog covers everything from worn-out buses and railcars to aging tracks, tunnels, and safety systems — and it’s accelerating fast.

Maryland’s county leaders don’t need a report to recognize the warning signs. Deferred maintenance and unstable funding streams aren’t just national concerns — they hit home for counties trying to sustain safe, reliable transit.

The report, authored by the Federal Transit Administration, in partnership with the Volpe Center, attributes nearly half the surge in backlog to inflation. But the rest comes from predictable challenges: expanding systems without long-term maintenance plans, outdated data on asset conditions, and rising costs tied to aging infrastructure.

The worst conditions show up in rail systems — especially guideways like tracks and tunnels — and the operational systems that keep them running.

Rail vehicles, subway systems, and commuter trains now drive more of the backlog, while buses, though still the largest share, are slightly down thanks to federal funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

But those funds only go so far. Most IIJA support goes to capital projects, not the day-to-day upkeep that keeps transit systems safe and functional. As pandemic-era aid runs dry, state and local governments are left holding the bag for steep maintenance costs.

The Maryland Transit Administration’s updated Capital Needs Inventory shows nearly $9 billion in unmet needs over the next decade, even after accounting for significant State funding commitments.

MTA maintains $14 billion in transit assets statewide — everything from buses to MARC trains to subway and light rail lines — and projects significant cost increases tied to aging infrastructure, inflation, and its share of Northeast Corridor upgrades.

The current six-year Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) funds more than 90% of MTA’s identified State of Good Repair needs, including a more than $1 billion investment to modernize the aging light rail fleet and make station and infrastructure upgrades to double service frequency.

Even with significant State investment, the problem remains. Maryland’s capital plans cover a large share of urgent transit repair needs, but not all, and they don’t guarantee funding will keep pace. Counties still face the same core challenge: how to sustain safe, reliable transit without long-term, stable funding.

Rethinking Road Revenue: A Rational Approach to Transportation Funding

These issues — from buses to bridges — will take center stage at the MACo Summer Conference session, “Rethinking Road Revenue: A Rational Approach to Transportation Funding.”  The session will examine the history and future of Highway User Revenues (HUR), explore regional tools like transit authorities, and outline options to strengthen local infrastructure investment.

MACo’s Summer Conference, “Resilient. Responsive. Ready.,” is August 13-16, 2025, at the Roland Powell Convention Center in Ocean City, Maryland. This year’s theme is “Funding the Future: The Evolving Role of Local Government.” For more information, please visit the conference website.

Learn more about MACo’s Summer Conference: