Before BaltimoreLink...there was GBBI

With MTA's BaltimoreLink project on the horizon, it seemed appropriate to look back at the last major network project, which celebrates 11 years today.

On October 23rd, 2005, GBBI or Greater Baltimore Bus Improvement Project was launched, cancelling several lines, merging others, and all but eliminating buses terminating in Downtown Baltimore.

During the week leading up to the changeover and beyond, I took photos of all the line affected, which you will see below. Since 2005, only a few lines have resurfaced but most of the changes are still in effect...well until June 2017.

*Note: These are scans of slides so the quality isn't as good as the original photo 

0227 at Bullneck Road Loop in Dundalk on the 10. The 10 would be combined with the 2 in GBBI

0243 is the after with the "2" running on Lombard instead of Fayette

The 2/10 was supposed to help riders get used to the change before the line officially became the 10. Here is 0244 at the Baltimore Arena during rush hour. 

One of the cancelled "via" routes was the 44 Brighton that traveled from Sinai Hospital via Cross Country, Fallstaff Road, and Reisterstown Road to Reisterstown Plaza and nearby Brighton

The 35 used to be a limited service that operated on Fayette/Baltimore before GBBI as seen by 8842

 9404 on Guilford & Saratoga to UMTC. GBBI extended the line to UMBC/Blind Industries

 Another via cancellation, the M1 to Milford Mill Station/Bellemore Farms. Only two trips daily by the beginning of GBBI

 9932 at Gywnn Oak Park on the 44 before being extended to Security Square/Social Security as replacement of the M6 in GBBI

 0206 working the 20 on Baltimore Street before moving to Fayette Street. As many know, this was a big deal for BaltimoreLink Phase 1 when CityLink service was proposed on this stretch.

 A then brand new 5049 at Fox Ridge before the 4 ended service at White Marsh Mall due to GBBI

 Before the 31/35 combo, the 31 operated on Maryland Avenue and had trips to Beltway Business Park. Here is 9858 on the last 31 trip out there.

5064 passing by Eastern Division (on the left) on the last day of 23 service using Eastern Avenue & Haven before being moved to Lombard Street and Hopkins Bayview

The "original" 103 from Towson Courthouse to John Hopkins Hospital. Cut by GBBI

5027 on the 23 along Saratoga Street. Moved to Franklin/Mulberry in GBBI

0294 on the 2 on its way to Route 40 & Rolling. Service used Fayette Street to Gilmor then over to Lombard where this photo was taken. 

9947 on the M12 Greenwood on Reisterstown Road. A holdover for maid and workers in the suburban Park Heights Community. 

 0290 passing Patterson Park on the 20

5008 passing the Mitchell Courthouse on the 23. Line was moved to Baltimore Street in GBBI

9836 at Woodlawn "loop". The M6 was cut for GBBI but outcry brought it back in March 2006

 4102 at Rogers Station on the M10. The M10 was cut back to Reisterstown Plaza for GBBI

 9940 at UMBC on the 77. The 77 was extended to Patapsco Station in GBBI. Ironically, it is used to return to UMBC in BaltimoreLink under Route 37.

4041 waiting at a light on Fayette Street before terminating at UMTC. Although not changed in GBBI phase I, it was later extended to Riverview via the 11 line in 2008. 

Some have said service is worse since GBBI first took place 11 years ago while others have enjoyed the changes. Now that BaltimoreLink will soon be here, one has to wonder if these changes will also be for the better or for the worse.