What is MCDOT Doing to Help Travelers?
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is assisting travelers during SafeTrack as outlined below.
For Riders
- MCDOT is extending peak-hour service on its free shuttles to 4 ½ hours in both the morning and afternoon to encourage commuters to travel before 7 a.m. or after 9 a.m. and before 4 p.m. or after 6 p.m.
- For Surge #6: Provide free Ride On “Red Line Shuttles” between the Silver Spring, Takoma and Fort Totten Metrorail stations and the 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. MCDOT is extending peak-hour service to 4 ½ hours in both the morning and afternoon.
- For Surge #7: Provide free Ride On “Red Line Shuttles” between the Grosvenor-Strathmore station and Montgomery College 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.
- For Surge #7: Provide enhanced Ride On Route 46 bus service (which operates between Montgomery College-Rockville and Medical Center), increasing frequency between Grosvenor-Strathmore and Rockville via White Flint and Twinbrook stations to every 10 minutes during peak travel times.
- Work with the Maryland Transit Administration to provide more MARC train cars on the Brunswick Line, sell tickets on some station platforms and provide tickets to MCDOT to sell at its TRiPS store in Silver Spring, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Provide commuter services assistance, including telework, alternate work schedules, carpooling, vanpooling and use of car-sharing.
- Post bike route “SafeTrack Detour” signs at station entrances to connect West Hyattsville on the Green Line, with the Takoma, Silver Spring, Forest Glen, Wheaton and Glenmont stations.
- Co-sponsor “Learn the Route” free, guided bike rides in advance of each SafeTrack surge.
- Create an interactive map of Park and Ride Lot options.
- Coordinate with Montgomery County Police to provide traffic control to improve bus operations at the Silver Spring Transit Center and other key locations.
- Offer free Bikeshare memberships, training and helmets to qualified, low income residents through the MC Liberty program.
For Drivers
- Monitor traffic flow and adjust traffic signals in areas most affected by SafeTrack to improve bus operations and traffic flow.
- Suspend MCDOT road repair projects along key commuter routes affected by surges.
- Request that the Maryland State Highway Administration restrict lane closures and construction projects along key routes affected by surges.
- Prohibit metered parking along MD 355, MD 97 and US 29 corridors to improve bus operations and traffic flow.
Educate Travelers
- Provide Ride On staff at affected Metro stations to assist passengers, direct them to shuttles and distribute information.
- Hold “pop-up” events at Metrorail stations to educate passengers about upcoming surges.
- Post interior and exterior Ride On bus and bus shelter ads.
- Display informational posters at all Transit Centers.
- Use social and traditional media to communicate with customers and the public.
- Promote the Fare Share commuter benefits matching program in Transportation Management Districts and to major employers.
