Ocean City considers bus stop reduction

The officials in Ocean City, MD are considering removing 12 Beach Bus stops out of the town’s 125 stops due to a decrease in ridership. A report from the Transportation Committee shows a 14.8% drop in ridership in January and February 2025 compared to the previous year. The data also indicates that bus revenue is expected to fall approximately 2% short of projections for 2026.

After identifying 18 stops that are less frequently used, the committee narrowed down the list to 12 stops for potential removal. These stops include locations on both the Northbound and Southbound Coastal Highway.

Town leaders believe that while this may inconvenience some riders, it will ultimately improve bus service overall. Local residents have mixed opinions on the proposal, with some like Sammy Barnes feeling that it will not impact them much due to alternative transportation options. However, others like boardwalk visitor Amy Demchak believe that those who rely on the bus system may feel the difference if stops are removed, especially families who use the bus for economic and convenience reasons.

The Transportation Committee states that removing these 12 stops would be considered a “major service change” under Maryland law, requiring public notifications and the opportunity for a public hearing if requested. Although no formal request for a public hearing was made, the Town Council planned one for April 6 to serve the public interest. However, the public hearing did not take place on April 6 as four council members were missing. Discussions on the proposal may continue at the next council meeting scheduled for April 20.