CRITICAL INFORMATION
- This Surge affects the second highest number of passengers of all WMATA surges.
- Continuous single tracking between Takoma and Silver Spring will result in major disruptions throughout the entire Red Line.
- The number of trains running between Glenmont and Silver Spring will be cut in half; one quarter of the trains between Silver Spring and NoMa will be available; and service between NoMa and Grosvenor-Strathmore will be cut by a quarter.
- Anticipate significant Metrorail delays that could add an hour each way to commutes.
- Red Line passengers are urged to seek alternate transportation, telework or ride at off-peak hours.
WHAT TO EXPECT ON METRORAIL DURING SURGE
On weekdays
- Between Shady Grove and NoMa, Red Line trains will run every six minutes during peak periods and every 12 minutes during midday and evenings.
- Between Glenmont and Grosvenor-Strathmore, Red Line trains will run every 12 minutes.
- After 10 p.m., trains will run every 15 minutes.
On weekends
- Train frequencies may vary.
TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES
Ride a Bus
- Take a free Ride On “Red Line Shuttle” between Silver Spring, Takoma and Fort Totten Metrorail stations weekdays every 10 minutes from 5:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Connect to the Green/Yellow Line at Fort Totten. Look for shuttles at the following locations:
o Silver Spring (southbound only): Colesville Road (between Wayne Avenue and the Metrorail entrance)
o Takoma (northbound and southbound): Bus Bay A o Fort Totten (northbound only): Alighting Bus Bay (left of main entrance)
- Take a free Ride On “Red Line Shuttle” between Grosvenor-Strathmore, Medical Center, Bethesda and Friendship Heights stations weekdays every 10 minutes from 5:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Look for shuttles at the following locations:
o Grosvenor-Strathmore (southbound only) Bay D
o Medical Center (southbound) Bay D
o Medical Center (northbound) Bay E
o Bethesda Bay A
o Friendship Heights (northbound only) Bay K
- Ride enhanced Metrobus service:
- Check other bus options
Ride the Metrorail Green/Yellow Line
- Use the Greenbelt, College Park or West Hyattsville stations (in addition to Fort Totten).
- Drive, park and ride from a Green Line station. Check typical parking availability on this map.
Take MARC Train(which will add extra rail cars)
- Try the Brunswick Line, which has stations in Rockville, Metropolitan Grove, Garrett Park, Kensington, Silver Spring and Union Station (limited parking available near Garrett Park and Kensington stations).
- Buy MARC train tickets at the station or in advance:
o In Person:
§ Use Quik-Trak ticket vending machines at some stations.
§ On the platform from MARC staff at Rockville and Silver Spring during peak travel times.
§ Onboard with cash only; $20 denominations or less. (Note: MARC charges a $5 surcharge for onboard purchases.)
§ On the platform from MARC staff at Rockville and Silver Spring during peak travel times.
§ Onboard with cash only; $20 denominations or less. (Note: MARC charges a $5 surcharge for onboard purchases.)
o Online: www.mta.commuterdirect.com (Note: When purchasing a ticket, use “Washington, DC” for Union Station.)
o Silver Spring TRiPS store at the Silver Spring Transit Center, Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Check other bus options
Explore Commuter Services Options
View Montgomery County’s telework video and webinar or receive free, expert consulting services from Montgomery County Commuter Services. Call 240-777-8380 or email.
Consider allowing employees to flex their time.
Consider signing up for the County’s FareShare program for employers that allows them to buy-down the cost of transit or vanpooling for their employees. Contact Montgomery County Commuter Services at 240-777-8380 or email.
Try Biking
Ride to the West Hyattsville Green/Yellow Line station.
o
Look for
MCDOT’s bike route “SafeTrack Detour” signs that begin at
station entrances at the Takoma, Silver Spring, Forest Glen, Wheaton and
Glenmont stations.
o
Route distances along the Sligo
Creek Trail, with local street connections, range from about five miles betweenTakoma
and West Hyattsville to 11.6 miles between Glenmont and West Hyattsville.
Use the Georgetown Branch Trail between Silver Spring, Bethesda and Georgetown.
o
This signed trail combines on-street travel with gravel and paved path.
o
Use Route distances are 5.7 mile between Silver Spring and Bethesda and 12.1 miles between Silver Spring and Georgetown.
Use Capital Bikeshare.
o
Access
Capital Bikeshare in Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Friendship Heights,
Bethesda, Chevy Chase Lake, Rockville or Shady Grove. See full station map online,
o
Limited income residents can call Montgomery
County Commuter
Services at 240-777-8380 to learn about eligibility for a free, annual,
Bikeshare membership.
Plan your ride by checking the Montgomery County Planning Department’s Level of Traffic Stress map.
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Consider Driving as a Last Resort
- Drive, park and ride. Check Park and Ride Lot options using this interactive map.
- Check Commuter Connections for ride-sharing information or contact Montgomery County Commuter Services for assistance at 240-773-8747.
- Use a car share vehicle. Montgomery County offers Zipcars at some parking garages.
