Montgomery County Releases Fiscal Year 2025 Climate Action Plan's Annual Report
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and County Council President Natali Fani-González announced significant progress in the County’s Climate Action Plan (CAP), releasing the Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Report and marking milestones that advance sustainability and resilience.
On June 29, 2025, the MCDOT implemented a zero fare policy for all Ride On, Ride On extRa, Ride On Flex, and Flash buses. In addition, the report announces additional electric buses added MCDOT's Ride On fleet.
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The County’s three existing bus maintenance facilities are located within or adjacent to Equity Emphasis Areas. Transitioning these facilities from combustion engine operations to zero emission bus (ZEB) operations will bring direct benefits to the surrounding communities including a reduction in both noise pollution and harmful emissions.
MCDOT also made great strides in advancing the Flash Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network. The Veirs Mill Road BRT reached the 95% design milestone, and the County continues working with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) toward a Federal grant.
MCDOT executed a $2 million grant with the US Department of Transportation to form a Regional Infrastructure Accelerator that will develop strategies to more quickly and efficiently advance the BRT network, including funding and financing strategies.
MCDOT expanded transit services in the Great Seneca Life Sciences corridor with two limited-stop and high-frequency services designated as Pink and Lime routes maximizing access to jobs and students at The Universities at Shady Grove.
MCDOT installed three new pedestrian hybrid beacons to enhance pedestrian safety in the Equity Emphasis Areas of Flower Avenue and Plymouth Street in Silver Spring, Cedar Lane and Parkhill Drive in Bethesda, and Old Columbia Pike and Oakhurst Drive in Burtonsville.
These efforts are helping to reduce emissions, improve air quality, and make it easier for residents to choose cleaner ways to get around.
View the FY25 Annual Climate Action Plan Report that covers the period from July 1,2024 to June 30, 2025.
New Ride On Flex Zone 918 Servicing Sandy Spring to White Oak
Ride On’s new Flex Zone 918 launches on Monday, Feb 2. This, on-demand bus service will serve the Ednor, Sandy Spring, Norwood, and Cloverly communities, providing easy connections to New Hampshire Avenue and the White Oak Transit Center.
Instead of following a fixed route or schedule, riders can request a trip through the Ride On Flex app or by calling 240-301-3842, and will be picked up by a Ride On Flex vehicle, making local travel more flexible and accessible.
Visit the Flex website for more details.
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Transportation Trivia Tuesdays
Get ready to put your knowledge to the test with Transportation Trivia Tuesdays through Saturday, Feb. 28. Learn more about the people, programs and services that keep Montgomery County moving.
New questions are posted every Tuesday. Earn points for each correct answer for a chance to win a MCDOT prize pack. Answers will be posted on the website the following Monday.
Start playing at montgomerycountymd.gov/commute.
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Ride On Bus Service Changes to Improve Efficiency
MCDOT adjusted 36 Ride On bus route schedules on Sunday, Jan.11, to improve efficiency and on-time performance. The changes reflect a shift of resources to allow for more reliable service where demand is higher. The new schedules are available at rideonbus.com and in print. Bus routes with more than one change are counted once.
Bus route changes include:
- Thirty-one (31) routes have timetable changes: 5, 7, 8, 12,
13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 37, 45,
46, 55, 61, 65, 73, 76, 78, 79, 90, 101, extRa Lime, and extRa Pink.
- Six (6) routes have bus bay changes: 34, 36, 42, 70, 81, and extRa Pink.
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MCDOT Will Honor Rosa Parks on ‘Transit Equity Day’ on Sunday, Feb. 4
Transit Equity Day commemorates the life and legacy of Rosa Parks on her birthday. Ride On buses will display internal placards celebrating Rosa Parks and her lasting influence in establishing transportation equity as a fundamental civil right. Ride On will also reserve a seat on each bus in honor of Rosa Parks.
Transit Equity Day is part of a larger recognition of the contributions of Black Americans and the role of Black history in the pursuit of racial justice and equality, which is celebrated during February, Black History Month.
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PUBLIC MEETINGS & HEARINGS
In all public meetings and hearings, written comments carry the same weight as oral comments and information provided will become a matter of public record.
Public Information Meeting on the MacArthur Boulevard Bikeway and Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project in Potomac to be Held on Wednesday, Jan. 28
On Wednesday, Jan. 28, at 7 p.m., MCDOT will hold a hybrid public meeting (online and in-person) to discuss the proposed MacArthur Boulevard Bikeway (Old Anglers Inn to Falls Road) and Pedestrian Safety Improvement project in Potomac. MCDOT will present the project concepts, details, costs and the project schedules. MCDOT will also obtain public comments and answer questions. Public input is encouraged and may influence the project's design.
The MacArthur Boulevard Bikeway Planning Study will provide two options for 10-foot shared-use paths along MacArthur Boulevard, beginning at Old Anglers Inn and traveling north to the intersection of MacArthur Boulevard and Falls Road. Five percent concept plans have been developed for both options.
The in-person meeting will be held in the All-Purpose Room of Potomac Elementary School, 10311 River Road in Potomac.
Please register online to attend the hearing virtually. The public is encouraged to visit the project website and provide feedback via the online comment form or by email to Project Manager Cameron McAllister at Cameron.McAllister@montgomerycountymd.gov by Friday, Feb. 27.
Virtual Public Hearing on the Redwing Road Sidewalk Proposal in Bethesda to be Held on Wednesday, Feb. 11
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On Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 6:30 p.m., MCDOT will hold a virtual public hearing to discuss the proposed Redwing Road Sidewalk Proposal in Bethesda. MCDOT will present the project concept plan, details, costs and the project schedule. MCDOT will also obtain public testimony and answer questions. Public input is encouraged and may influence the final decision regarding the installation of all or a portion of the project.
The Redwing Road Sidewalk Proposal will provide a five-foot-wide concrete sidewalk on the west side of Redwing Road between Stardust Lane and Goldsboro Road (MD 614) in Bethesda.
Please register online to attend. The public is encouraged to visit the project website and provide feedback via the online comment form or by email to Planning Specialist Lori Main at Lori.Main@montgomerycountymd.gov by Wednesday, Mar. 11.
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PARTNER NEWS
Purple Line Construction Update: Silver Spring Metro Station to Close This Weekend
Beginning Jan. 12 to Jan. 16, the north metro entrance to the WMATA platform will close. South entrance and platform will remain open.
Saturday, Jan. 17 to Monday, Jan.19, the entire metro station closes. Busses will bridge the gap to get riders to the next stations.
The Silver Spring Transit Center will be open and not affected by the rail closure for bus riders.
For Purple Line construction updates, visit purplelinemd.com/
construction-updates.
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Has Begun Bus Shelter Replacement Work at Shady Grove East Metrorail Station in Rockville
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has begun bus shelter replacement work at Shady Grove East Metrorail Station in Rockville as part of its Bus Shelter Replacement Program. This project will replace existing bus shelters with newer, modern shelters designed to improve comfort, safety, and accessibility for customers.
Phase 1 of construction, impacting bus Shelters A and B, is scheduled for Jan. 5 - 16. Phase 2, impacting bus shelters C and D, is scheduled for Jan. 20 - Feb. 6.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A WINTER STORM
MCDOT Snow Portal to Provide Storm Response and Bus Service Status Updates
MCDOT is encouraging residents to check the Montgomery County Snow Portal during winter storms for storm response updates and service adjustments for the Ride On bus system.
On the snow portal, residents can check the snow-removal status of County-maintained roads, view live traffic cameras for current road conditions, and submit requests to the County's MC311 customer service center. Outside of MC311 operating hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, residents can call the police non-emergency number at 301-279-8000, to report fallen trees blocking the roadway and other non-emergency events. For active downed power lines, dial 911.
MCDOT typically plows County roads after approximately three inches of snow. Primary roads are plowed first, and once complete, residential roads are plowed. Plows are sometimes pulled back to primary roads during long periods of falling snow or freezing temperatures. Once the plowing operation is complete, plows are directed to treat any missed areas or roads that require additional treatment. Residents can request plow services after the operation is finished via the snow portal.
Ride On service level changes will also be posted at the top of the portal page. All County buses are zero-fare, and bus routes are plowed as primary routes.
Bus riders are encouraged to plan ahead and check for service adjustment announcements before their trip using the Ride On Trip Planner app.
Residents should also sign up for Alert Montgomery to receive emergency alerts via text and email.
MCDOT Winter Storm Response Procedures
Click on the image above to learn about MCDOT's winter storm response procedures.
Ride On Bus Service During Winter Storms
Ride On buses run during most weather events and are on primary routes that are given priority by plows. Buses generally run regular service if snow is under 4 inches.
During a snow event, Ride On contractors clear nearly 800 bus stops and work to keep transit centers clear of snow and ice.
At 4 inches, MCDOT Director Chris Conklin, together with the County Executive, decide if buses will operate on an S (Special) Service Plan. This is a reduced schedule in terms of the number of routes, span and frequency of service. If the snow is over 8 inches, the service may be reduced further.
The announcement to operate an 'S' Service Plan will be made by 4 a.m. on the day the plan goes into effect, but rapidly changing weather conditions might require a change during the day or evening.
MCDOT and Ride On social media platforms will often be first to announce a switch to the 'S' Service Plan, so make sure to follow Ride On @RideOnMCT on X, Instagram, Bluesky or Facebook for service announcements related to the weather. Listen to local radio or television stations for an announcement that Ride On will be operating its 'S' Service Plan, or check Ride On’s website at rideonbus.com.
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Salt Use on Roadways
MCDOT is actively working to manage and reduce the use of road salt during winter storms. Salt on roads flows into the Potomac and Patuxent rivers, affecting drinking water quality, and harms plants and infrastructure.
MCDOT has implemented several strategies to minimize salt usage:
- Minimum Salt Application: MCDOT only applies the minimum amount of salt necessary to ensure public safety during snowstorms:
- Plow Bumpers: The department has installed plow bumpers on all plows to allow for early plowing, which helps in reducing the need for salt.
- Salt Brine: MCDOT uses salt brine, a 23 percent solution of salt vs. water, before snow starts to reduce the amount of salt required.
- Sweep the Salt Program: MCDOT's Sweep the Salt program collects excess road salt from sensitive watershed areas after winter storms.
“During winter weather events we monitor the forecast and pavement conditions closely to determine when and how much salt to use,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “We only use what we need to keep roads safe. We avoid salting when temperatures are above freezing or rain is expected, and we use tools like rubber-tipped plows and salt brine to reduce salt use.”
Residents are encouraged to report excessive salt use on County roads and facilities by calling 311 or 240-777-0311 for cleanup efforts after the storm. State roads are managed by the Maryland Department of Transportation.
Residents can help by being Salt Wise.
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Who Plows Where?
MCDOT plows County-maintained roadways.
Other agencies that handle snow removal and laying salt include:
For any plowing requests or to report excess salt for cleanup, residents can call 311 or 240-777-0311. Residents can also visit the website at montgomerycountymd.gov/311. 311 Operators will route requests to the responsible agency.
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Am I Responsible for Clearing Sidewalks of Snow and Ice? YES - If You Own Property, It is Your Responsibility
County residents are required by law to clear sidewalks in front of and alongside their properties within 24 hours of the end of a snowstorm.
Click on the image above to learn about removing snow and ice from sidewalks.
For information on MCDOT programs and services, visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, follow @MCDOTNow on X, Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook and subscribe to receive the latest MCDOT news by phone or email.
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