March 28, 2024
Annapolis, US 48 F

MillsRide program launches for employees of Maryland Live! and Arundel Mills

Arundel_MillsEmployees of Arundel Mills Mall and Maryland Live! Casino can now board a free shuttle to the Cromwell Light Rail station and MTA #14 bus during times when transit was not normally available. The new service, MillsRide, is a demonstration shuttle project launched this week by Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation (AAWDC) and The BWI Business Partnership.

The $25,000 MillsRide project was funded by the Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC) grant and Anne Arundel County’s Video Lottery Fund. The JARC grant is administered by AAWDC and the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) with a goal of serving low-income transit individuals as well as current workers in Anne Arundel County.

“While meeting with companies in the area, we learned that employee turnover was extremely high, particularly for the employees in lesser-skilled jobs whose pay rate could not support car ownership,” explained Kirkland Murray, CEO and President of AAWDC. “This, coupled by a lack of reliable commuter transportation, especially during overnight hours, has been specifically identified as a major barrier to employee retention. Additionally, Northern Anne Arundel County residents are not well served by existing transit.”

“This new service removes a major workforce barrier,” said County Executive Laura Neuman. “I commend AAWDC and The BWI Business Partnership for collaborating on this important project. Benefits like the MillsRide project gives businesses another reason to locate and grow in Anne Arundel County.”

maryland-live-casino“MillsRide is a perfect example of how money from the Video Lottery Fund was supposed to be utilized,” said Mike Caruthers, Chair of the Local Development Council. “We are obligated to mitigate the difficulties and help both the citizens and the businesses in the area, and this project does just that.”

“Through this demonstration project, we will track ridership and evaluate the project, so that we can demonstrate the viability of late night service for employees of major employment centers such as Maryland Live! Casino, that have 24 hour / 7 days a week operations,” said Linda Greene, Executive Director of The BWI Business Partnership.

The shuttle is scheduled to operate for 10 weeks under the following schedule:

Monday-Friday:

9:20 p.m. – 12:40 a.m.

Saturdays:

9:20 p.m. – 12:20 a.m.

Sundays/Holidays:

7:20 p.m. – 9:50 p.m.

– Until the last Light Rail train or #14 has arrived at Cromwell Station

For more information about MillsRide and other transportation options, please visit http://www.bwipartner.org/transportation/millsride.

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