Flash on US 29 is one of the Most Popular Bus RoutesHave you seen the Flash bus on Colesville Road? Ride On’s Flash buses run along Colesville Rd/Columbia Pike (US 29) between the Silver Spring Transit Center, Briggs Chaney and Burtonsville, with stops along the way. The County-operated bus line began in 2020 and offers fast, convenient service running every 15 minutes all day and more frequently during rush hour. The US 29 Flash has been a popular option, providing more than 750,000 rides in 2022. Transporting an average of 2,200 riders each day, it is one of the County’s most-utilized bus routes. Flash bus corridors are different from the County’s other Ride On buses in that they operate large articulated buses with level boarding, they stop at each station, have free wi-fi, and, where possible, run in their own designated bus lanes to bypass traffic. Learn more at ridetheflash.com.   Montgomery County residents are feeling the love from their local transportation department. MCDOT decorated some US 29 Flash buses with pink neon heart-shaped lights in honor of Valentine’s Day. The buses will remain decorated throughout February. “We hope anyone who is looking to try the Flash service will be drawn to do so with this family-friendly promotion,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “Riding the decorated buses is a fun experience for everyone and has been well received by riders. We are working to expand the Flash service to several additional corridors within the County. On the current US 29 Flash route, we are working with Howard County to expand the line north to Columbia and are working on adding more dedicated lanes for even faster service.” Riders are encouraged to post pictures on their Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts using the hashtag #LoveFlash with the reasons they love riding the Flash bus.  MCDOT is working to expand the Flash service to several additional corridors within the County. MCDOT will host multiple opportunities for residents to learn more about these projects and provide feedback this spring. VEIRS MILL ROAD BUS RAPID TRANSIT In September, the Federal Transit Administration officially accepted the project into its Small Starts Project Development program. This is the first step in eligibility for federal funds through the Capital Investment Grant (CIG) program. The grant program is the major funding source for nationwide rail and bus expansion projects. The Veirs Mill Road BRT project will reach the 65% (semi-final) design milestone in August 2023. The project, which will bring limited-stop bus service and twelve stations to Veirs Mill Road, is fully funded through the final design phase and partially funded for construction. The Montgomery County Planning Board will review the project as part of the Mandatory Referral process this spring. MD 355 BUS RAPID TRANSIT Flash BRT on MD 355 will be implemented in phases, starting with the central part of the corridor, between Montgomery College-Rockville and Montgomery College-Germantown. MCDOT shared preliminary design plans with community members and other stakeholders this summer. The design plans show where the Flash BRT lanes will go, where the roadway will be widened, where the stations will be located, and what pedestrian and bicycle facilities will be available at different locations along MD 355. The County will use the public's input and environmental analysis to finalize these roadway design decisions in the next project phase. US 29 PHASE 2 MCDOT is working to add more dedicated bus lanes for faster service. This fall, MCDOT completed its dedicated bus lanes study and recommended a new dedicated bus lane on US 29. The County Executive proposed, and the Council approved funding to advance the project to the design phase in December. The project team is initiating survey work and design activities over the next few months and will complete the preliminary engineering phase in the summer of 2024. BETTER ACCESS TO CASTLE BOULEVARD & BRIGGS CHANEY FLASH STATION MCDOT received State funding to make it easier and safer to walk and bike to the Castle Boulevard and Briggs Chaney Flash stations near the US 29 corridor. The project team is getting input from stakeholders, reviewing previous studies, and analyzing data. Over the next few weeks, the team will visit the stations to identify additional safety issues before developing a list of potential improvements. MCDOT will meet with stakeholders in spring 2023 to determine the next steps and develop an implementation strategy. NORTH BETHESDA BUS RAPID TRANSIT When the North Bethesda BRT study kicked off in 2022, MCDOT worked with local stakeholders to develop project goals and objectives. After analysis and community input, the North Bethesda Metro Station was selected as the eastern terminus for the service. This fall, the team began analysis using multiple metrics, including ridership forecasts, traffic impacts, potential environmental impacts, right-of-way needed, multimodal connectivity, and other factors that align with the project goals and objectives. This spring, MCDOT will review the methodology and results with the public and other stakeholders, and determine the best alternative to move forward with a preferred alternative for further development. NEW HAMPSHIRE AVENUE BUS RAPID TRANSIT The New Hampshire Avenue BRT service will run between the Fort Totten Metro Station and the Colesville Park and Ride just north of Randolph Road, with key connections to the Purple Line at University Boulevard and the US 29 Flash BRT at White Oak. This fall, the project team identified alternatives for further analysis. The alternatives include 1) optimizing transit in mixed traffic, 2) repurposing curbside lanes for dedicated bus lanes south of Piney Branch Road and optimizing transit in mixed traffic north of Piney Branch Road, and 3) repurposing median lanes for dedicated bus lanes south of Piney Branch Road, adding one dedicated transit lane between Piney Branch Road and Lockwood Drive, and optimizing transit in mixed traffic north of Lockwood Drive. The team will analyze each alternative using metrics that align with the project goals and objectives. This spring, the team will review the results with the public and other stakeholders, and determine the best alternative to move forward with into design.   Proclamation for Transit Equity Day, Feb. 4Last week, MCDOT received a Proclamation from the County Council for Transit Equity Day. Thanks to Councilmembers Evan Glass, Kate Stewart and Marilyn Balcombe for the proclamation and for supporting transit. Watch the proclamation here. Over the past year, MCDOT has been working to reassess its transit system to best meet the needs of residents through its Ride On Reimagined Study. The study, influenced by public engagement and feedback, will bring system-wide changes to better serve one million County residents. Equitable transportation in Montgomery County includes investing in clean transportation options and infrastructure. In September 2020, MCDOT launched its first four electric buses and ordered 10 more, to reduce greenhouse gases from the transportation sector. The goal is to convert the entire fleet of buses to zero-emission by 2035, reducing the County's carbon footprint. To learn more about what MCDOT is doing to ensure transit equity and view resources for low-income transportation programs, visit montgomerycountymd.gov/TransitEquity.  Fall 2022 has been busy with many opportunities to engage with the public. Over 51,000 people visited a Flash bus at outreach events while learning what Flash offers our community.  Sep. 24 - Burtonsville Day Flash participated in this great East County event and informed people about service on US 29, and a knowledgeable bus operator was on hand to answer questions. |
 Oct. 30 - HalloWheaton - Monster Flash Monster Flash was a huge success at the 2nd Annual HalloWheaton Event! Adults and children alike enjoyed boarding the bus and checking out the kid-friendly monster decorations. One child couldn’t get enough of Flash! He went through the bus FIVE times! The event was great fun, and we look forward to participating again next year. |
 Oct. 21 - 22 - Montgomery Park's Fairland Briggs Chaney Placemaking Event You might have seen Flash at Fairland Briggs Chaney Placemaking Event. The weather was perfect for people to learn more about Flash, board the bus, and see all it offers. |
 Nov. 19 - Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade The decorated Flash bus debuted at the Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade, with the Flash balloon leading the way! Parade-goers got a first look at the festive Flash bus in all its glory. |
 Nov. 18 Gaithersburg’s Winter Festival S’mores Lights We kicked off the holiday season with Gaithersburg’s Winter Festival S’mores Lights Event! An extension of the Winter Lights Festival at Seneca Creek State Park, attendees of this two-day sold-out event enjoyed seeing Flash dressed up for the holidays inside and out. |
 Dec. 1 - Jan. 3 - FLASHLights Three holiday-decorated Flash Buses hit the streets. The inside of the bus was festively decorated with snow, snowmen, lights, and gingerbread houses. |
Here's What Riders Are SayingFor the most up-to-date service information, riders should follow @RideOnMCT on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. In addition, information is available at RideOnBus.com, by subscribing to receive email alerts, or by texting MONTGOMERY RIDEON to 468311 to receive text alerts. | 
