MDOT MTA
The MDOT MTA on Jan. 21 announced the launch of a new student discount program that will save students 50% on a one-way or monthly MARC Train ticket.
Students enrolled in a high school, vocational/trade school, formal technical training program, college or university, including undergraduate and graduate programs, can take advantage of the MARC Student Saver program, which the agency says, “reflects its commitment to connecting students to educational institutions, jobs and opportunities throughout the region.”
“The MARC train is a tremendous asset for our region, and we’re excited to welcome new student riders to the system,” said Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold. “This program ensures that students, regardless of income, can access education, internships, jobs, and community events without transportation being a barrier.”
Eligible students must complete the registration process and confirm enrollment in a qualifying educational institution. Once registered, students will be able to purchase tickets through CharmPass, the agency’s official mobile ticketing app, for trips taken on any of MARC Trains three lines: Penn, Camden or Brunswick. Students must register annually and provide updated documentation to continue participating in the program. Detailed instructions and FAQs on how to register for the program are available here.
The MARC Student Saver program, MDOT MTA says, “will make it easier for students to travel throughout the region and state, and expands on the agency’s ongoing efforts to enhance rider connectivity.” In August 2024, the agency established a cross-honor program with Virgina Railway Express (VRD) and in 2025 released the MARC Growth and Transformation (G&T) Plan and began construction to modernize the Martin Maintenance Yard, “a key component to delivering more frequent service that better serves markets as outlined in the G&T plan.”
DART
DART on Jan. 21 announced that it has agreed to hold off on issuing new debt until after November elections, following a formal request from the agency’s Board of Directors Chairman Randall Bryant. “The promise comes amid pending elections on May 2, where voters in five DART member cities are expected to decide the fate of the agency in their city,” the agency noted.
“In an effort to address the concerns raised by DART member cities, I have directed our President & CEO, Nadine Lee, to ensure that no long-term debt issuance requests are brought for DART Board consideration until after the November 2026 election date,” said Bryant. “We welcome feedback from our partners on solutions that benefit all cities while ensuring DART continues to provide critical public transportation services for our residents and communities.”
By law, DART says it “will continue to collect sales tax from cities whose voters choose to leave DART until the city’s portion of its statutory obligation is recovered.”
“DART will agree to hold off on issuing more debt as North Texas residents head to the polls to vote on DART. Our priority has been to our riders from the outset of this process, and this allows us to release some of the urgency our member cities feel as they make decisions in the coming months.” said Lee. “This will delay some of the scheduled and promised updates the DART staff has been working on, but as good-faith partners in these negotiations, we will honor this compromise.”
DART has received formal requests from three of the five cities with elections on the calendar. Before elections were called, DART, member cities and the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) engaged in mediation to find a solution to a series of previous requests from the cities. The next step of that process is for DART to complete a rate study that explores and explains the all-in costs by mode of providing transit services, according to the agency.
PRT
PRT on Jan. 20 announced a new tool to increase accessibility for riders across Allegheny County. Beginning yesterday, Deaf and hard-of-hearing riders can connect instantly with a live ASL interpreter through the new Aira ASL app, “making PRT one of the most accessible transit systems in the nation,” according to the agency.
With just a tap, riders can launch the Aira ASL app and be connected in seconds to a professional ASL interpreter. Using the caller’s smartphone camera and microphone, interpreters help bridge conversations in real-time—whether riders are purchasing fares at the Downtown Service Center or communicating with others. The service is available anywhere in PRT’s transit network 24/7/365 with no advance scheduling required.
This launch, the agency says, “builds on PRT’s existing partnership with Aira, which already powers Aira Explorer, an on-demand visual interpreting service for blind and low-vision riders. With the addition of Aira ASL, PRT becomes the first public transit system in the country to offer both on-demand visual and ASL interpreting services.”
“This is another step toward our commitment to equitable and inclusive transit for all,” said PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman. “By teaming up with Aira and embracing this innovative technology, we’re making it easier than ever for riders of all abilities to travel confidently and reach the destinations that matter most.”
“Aira is proud to partner with PRT as they expand their on-demand interpreting offerings,” said Henri Grau, Director of Deaf Community Engagement at Aira. “The addition of Aira ASL at PRT means Deaf and hard of hearing riders can count on smoother communication, improved experiences, and access to information whenever the need arises.”
