For decades, Marylanders have looked at maps of what could have been: a sprawling, interconnected rail network linking neighborhoods from Owings Mills to the Inner Harbor and beyond. While Washington, D.C. successfully colored in its transit lines, Baltimore was left with a "single metro line" and a light rail system described as "two systems flying in loose formation" that fail to feed each other. The dream of a comprehensive network has been stalled by shifting political winds, funding hurdles, and a lack of sustained regional advocacy.
In this episode, hosts Dori Henry, Josh Kurtz, and David Nitkin explore the past, present, and uncertain future of transit in Maryland. They are joined by John Porcari (former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation), Delegate Robbyn Lewis (D-Baltimore City), Ron Hartman (former MTA head), and Mike Kelly (Baltimore Metropolitan Council) to dissect the pivotal 2015 cancellation of the Red Line and the potential for its revival. They discuss why Maryland is unique in having its transit run by a state agency without a board of directors, the "radicalizing" effect of stalled projects on local leaders, and whether "Bus Rapid Transit" is a viable, high-speed alternative to traditional rail.
Why This Episode Matters
Transit is more than just "the widget" used to move people; it is an engine for economic development, a tool for dismantling historic segregation, and a necessity for a functioning democracy. The gap between transit-rich regions and those left behind reveals deep-seated issues of power, influence, and racial history in Maryland. Understanding the "flabby" failures of the past and the new push for local governance is essential for any resident who wants to see a more connected and equitable state. Whether you are a daily bus rider or a commuter waiting for the next rail extension, this conversation offers the context needed to understand why Maryland’s transit system remains a work in progress.
Links & Resources
Maryland Now is brought to you by Blended Public Affairs and produced by Carper Cre8tive.
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Note: The voice of Mileah Kromer heard in this episode is a synthetic AI model reading excerpts from her book. Not a live recording.
- (00:00) - Red Line Fallout
- (00:33) - Meet the Hosts
- (00:44) - Are We Transit Riders
- (02:45) - Riding Baltimore Metro
- (04:12) - LA Metro Detour
- (05:22) - The 1960s Rail Dream
- (08:09) - Music Transition
- (08:13) - How Maryland Runs Transit
- (09:51) - From Streetcars to MTA
- (11:16) - Schaefer Era Expansion
- (12:45) - Light Rail Missteps
- (14:50) - Planning the Red Line
- (16:24) - Hogan Cancels It
- (19:20) - Why No Outcry
- (20:55) - Race Power and Redlining
- (22:51) - Robin Lewis Radicalized
- (28:05) - Purple Line vs Red Line
- (29:35) - Buses and Funding
- (34:05) - Who Governs Transit
- (36:37) - Red Line Relaunch
- (37:11) - Bus Rapid Transit Future
- (39:23) - Transit as Democracy
- (44:21) - Wrap Up and Subscribe
What is Maryland Now?
Maryland Now is a podcast that goes beyond the headlines to explore the forces shaping Maryland’s politics, policy, and public life. Hosted by Dori Henry, Josh Kurtz, and David Nitkin — three veteran journalists and public‑affairs leaders with more than 60 years of combined experience — the show brings depth, context, and historical perspective to the issues facing Maryland today.
Each episode blends reporting, interviews, and insider knowledge. You’ll hear directly from the people driving decisions in Annapolis and across the state: agency heads, lawmakers, advocates, strategists, and longtime policy experts. The hosts draw on their decades covering and working in Maryland government to connect past decisions to current debates — revealing how we got here, what’s been tried before, and what’s at stake now.
Season One follows the 2026 General Assembly session and election cycle, with deep dives into housing, energy, the state budget, public health, and more. The conversations are smart, candid, and grounded in real reporting — not hot takes.
If you want to understand Maryland — its politics, its communities, and its future — Maryland Now is for YOU