Starting Oct. 1, the Maryland Transit Administration will begin suspending or banning riders who harass or assault others on buses or trains, the agency announced Tuesday. The change follows a new law passed in Annapolis this year, granting the authority.
The updated Rider Code of Conduct also formally bans a range of behaviors on MTA vehicles and at stations, including smoking, theft, and unlawful possession of a firearm. Violations could lead to citations or, in more serious cases, police involvement. Assaults and harassment, including threats with a weapon, spitting, or unwanted sexual contact, may result in suspension or permanent removal from the system. Riders who are banned will be given information on how to appeal.
MTA Administrator Holly Arnold said the new policy is intended to deter crime and set clear expectations. “We don’t want that one bad experience to turn people off of transit,” Arnold said. While most rides are uneventful, Arnold added, the goal is to ensure safety across the MTA’s extensive bus and rail network…