TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES
Ride a Bus
- Take a free Ride On “Red Line Shuttle” between the Grosvenor-Strathmore and Shady Grove stations via I-270 weekdays every 10 minutes from 5:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. MCDOT is extending peak-hour service to 4 ½ hours in both the morning and afternoon.
- Take the enhanced Ride On Route 46 bus. Ride On will increase bus frequency to every 10 minutes during peak travel times between Grosvenor-Strathmore and Rockville via White Flint and Twinbrook stations. Regular fares apply.
- Check other bus options:o Check Park and Ride Lot options using this interactive map.o Ride Ono Metrobus
Board Metrorail at Other Red Line Stations
- Board at Twinbrook, White Flint or Grosvenor rather than at Shady Grove or Rockville.
- Parking is typically available at Twinbrook and White Flint. Check 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.)
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.
Explore Commuter Services Options
- Consider allowing employees to flec 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
- 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.
- Join a “Learn the Route” free, guided ride, co-sponsored by Montgomery County Commuter Services and led by the Washington Area Bicyclist Association. Call 240-777-8380 or email for more information.
Consider Driving as a Last Resort
For those with limited choices, driving may be the best option, but expect more traffic congestion than usual.
- 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.
To improve
Metrorail safety and reliability, WMATA has accelerated its maintenance of
Metrorail to complete three years’ worth of work in one year. This effort is
limiting service in certain areas at scheduled times, which Metro is calling
Safety Surges. Montgomery County will be most affected by Surges 6, 7 and 10.
For more information, visit Montgomery
County SafeTrack, Metro
SafeTrack Surge #6, Metro
SafeTrack Surge #7 or Montgomery
County Commuter Services.
Montgomery County’s 311 Call
Center is extending its hours to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday from
August 1 through 18. Call 311 from within the County, 240-777-0311 from outside
the County or use Maryland Relay Services. Online help from 311 is
always available.
