Power Outage Hits MARC Penn Line — Crews Working to Restore Service

Power outage at Bowie State University station disrupts MARC Penn Line service

MARC Penn Line Hit by Power Outage at Bowie Station

MARC Penn Line riders faced delays Monday after a power outage disrupted service at Bowie State University station, transit officials said. The Maryland Transit Administration classified the incident as high severity, indicating substantial impact on the commuter rail line that typically carries 9,000 passengers on weekdays. Officials didn't specify how many trains were affected or how many riders experienced delays.

Service Disruption Affects Major Commuter Corridor

The Penn Line is the busiest of MTA Maryland's three MARC commuter rail lines, running between Baltimore Penn Station and Washington Union Station on Amtrak-owned Northeast Corridor infrastructure. The Bowie State University station serves students, faculty, and staff at the university, along with commuters traveling throughout the Baltimore-Washington region. Officials didn't say whether the power issue originated with MTA Maryland equipment or Amtrak's electrical systems. The Penn Line operates on infrastructure owned and maintained by Amtrak, meaning power outages may be outside MTA Maryland's direct control.

Cause and Timeline Remain Unclear

MTA Maryland posted a service alert Monday morning notifying passengers of the disruption but didn't disclose the specific cause of the power outage. Holly Arnold, administrator of the Maryland Transit Administration, wasn't immediately available for comment. Officials haven't provided an estimated time for service restoration or said whether the outage affected other stations on the line. The agency advised passengers to expect delays and potential service interruptions throughout the day. Historical data on power outages at this location wasn't immediately available.

No Timeline Given for Service Restoration

Transit officials haven't said when normal service will resume at Bowie State University station. The agency typically posts updates to its service alerts page as situations develop, but a specific timeline for restoration wasn't provided Monday. Officials didn't say whether alternative transportation arrangements were being made for affected passengers or if shuttle buses would be deployed to bridge service gaps.

Riders Advised to Check for Updates

Passengers planning to use the Penn Line should expect continued delays until the power issue is resolved, officials said. The specific number of affected passengers and cancelled trains hasn't been released. Commuters are encouraged to allow extra travel time or consider alternative transportation options. Moovit provides real-time updates for MARC Train routes, helping riders navigate service disruptions and plan alternative connections throughout the Baltimore-Washington region.