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Budget constraints will likely end Connect-A-Ride's D route, which services passengers between Laurel and Burtonsville Crossing Shopping Center.

The route, which costs $100,000 to run annually, is funded by the city of Laurel and state dollars, according to spokeswoman Sharon Smith. When the funding was not immediately renewed for this fiscal year, Smith said Connect-A-Ride opted to use miscellaneous funds it had in its budget with the hopes that funding would eventually be restored.

That was in August. Months later, with hope of funding faded, the route will end service by early February, Smith said.

Laurel resident Anna James, who takes the route regularly, was upset upon hearing the news that the service may stop running.

"There's no good connection between Laurel and Silver Spring," she said. "It's landlocked, you know? Maybe I'll just have to move from here."

The majority of the route runs through Prince George's County, though it ends in Burtonsville, she said. On average, it serves 36 people a day. The organization had been working with Prince George's County Councilman Thomas E. Dernoga (D-Dist. 1) of Laurel to try to restore funding but have not had any luck.

"Right now, we don't see the money coming from anywhere," she said. "But should something happen — a miracle — the dollars would come and we'd be able to continue the route."

Because the route is mostly in Prince George's County, Connect-A-Ride has not approached Montgomery County about funding the route, she said.

The D route makes stops at Laurel Mall; Montrose and 10th; Sweitzer Lane and Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission; and Burtonsville Park and Ride. It arrives at the Park and Ride about once an hour during rush hour, according to the bus schedule.

Smith also noted that Metrobus Z29 route covers the same general area as Connect-A-Ride's D route, so it shouldn't be too much of an inconvenience for commuters. But James said that although the Z29 route is an option for her, the service does not come at similar times.

"This is the only good connection," she said while waiting for the D route last week. "The Z is coming, but it's so limited."

Connect-A-Ride is currently undergoing a mandatory 30-day comment period, which will conclude Dec. 28. A public meeting 7 p.m. Jan. 7 at 312 Marshall Ave. will discuss the route's elimination.

Smith said that while the meeting is being held as a part of their required protocol, it is possible resident input could lead to change.

"We've had situations where citizens come to the public meeting, make suggestions, and we take them into consideration and use them," she said.

Public comments on the

elimination of Connect-A-Ride's D route may be sent to:

Corridor Transportation Corporation Customer Service, 312

Marshall Ave., Suite 102, Laurel, MD 20707 or e-mailed to

shelly.johnson@corridortransit.com.