BALTIMORE — All light rail service will be suspended effective Friday, Dec. 8, due to mechanical problems, Maryland Transportation Authority officials said.
MTA Director Holly Arnold said the decision to suspend service was based on two issues. A hole in the high-voltage conduits was discovered after a fire in October, in which a occupant was injured.
Also, machines that connect light rail cars, called intercarrier cables, caused six smoke events between November 2021 and November 2023.
🚨 MTA officials say that starting tomorrow, all light rail systems will be suspended. Inspections show damage to the high voltage channels. There were smoke issues and even a small fire in October. They tow cars for repairs. Additional buses will be provided @wjz
-Kelsey Kushner (@KelseyKushnerTV) December 7, 2023
“The risk level for this particular issue, at that time, was determined to be a moderate level requiring mitigation and the risk level was available for continued work,” Arnold said.
An updated safety risk assessment was carried out on Monday and Tuesday.
MTA officials say they felt out of an abundance of caution it was necessary to close the light rail.
There will be shuttle buses at all light rail stations starting Friday, and once enough cars are available, the schedule will be reinstated.
“The safety of our riders is paramount,” Arnold said. “We recognize this is important transit service and this is not a decision we make lightly.”
Officials say 53 light rail cars were affected, ranging in age from 21 to 34 years old.
However, there will be express shuttle service to the Ravens game on Sunday.
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