Decorated Flash Buses Celebrate Valentine’s Day Throughout February
MCDOT is celebrating love during the month of February with its Flash Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service. Five Flash BRT buses servicing Colesville Road/Columbia Pike (US 29) are decorated with neon heart lights and colorful red lights framing the buses.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to take pictures of the lighted buses and post them to social media to be entered into a weekly drawing for a $35 gift card. To enter, snap a picture of a decorated LoveFlash bus and post it on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, Threads or X, and tag and follow @MCDOTNow. The contest will run until Saturday, Feb. 28.
The US 29 Flash BRT route has 12 stops and connects Downtown Silver Spring and Briggs Chaney, with high-frequency bus service. The line extends to Burtonsville on weekday rush hours.
BRT is a limited-stop bus service that is gaining popularity in metropolitan areas across the U.S. and worldwide. BRT systems such as Flash are designed to arrive every few minutes, have upgraded amenities, pre-boarding payment, priority traffic light signaling, and dedicated lanes where possible. Flash BRT, like all County Ride On Buses, are zero-fare.
The County has a vision to expand the Flash network with seven additional corridors and an extension of the US 29 Flash to Howard County. The Howard County expansion is expected to open in the fall of 2026. The Veirs Mill Road Flash will be the next full corridor to be built out. Utility construction started this past fall and the project is estimated to be complete in 2028. The central section of Rockville Pike/355 and the North Bethesda corridor will follow.
For more information on how to ride the Flash bus, visit RideTheFlash.com.
Montgomery County Expanded an On-Demand Bus Service to Sandy Spring and White Oak
MCDOT added a new Ride On bus service area for Flex, an on-demand shared shuttle service. Flex Zone 918, which began service on Monday, Feb. 2, provides peak-period, book-and-go, transit service to the Ednor, Sandy Spring, Norwood, and Cloverly communities, as well as New Hampshire Avenue between Maryland Route 108 and the White Oak Transit Center. The Flex zone includes connections to the wider transit network, including Ride On bus, US 29 (Colesville Road) Flash Bus Rapid Transit, Metrobus and Metrorail.
Riders can reserve trips using the Flex mobile app or the call center at 240-301-3842 to reserve a pickup time and location. The Ride On Flex app is available for free download in the Apple iStore, and Google Play store and tracks the vehicle live providing arrival time estimates.
Flex 918 service hours are Monday through Friday from:
- 6 a.m. - 10 a.m.
- 2:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Ride On Flex Zone 918 also restores transit access for most neighborhoods previously served by Metrobus Z2, offering a flexible and accessible option for local travel.
All Montgomery County buses, including Flex, are zero fare for all riders. Visit the Flex website for more details.
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MCDOT Addresses Potholes from Winter Storm
MCDOT is conducting a “Pothole Blitz” on Wednesday, Feb. 11, and Thursday, Feb. 12, to quickly service potholes on 5,400 lane miles of County-maintained roads. More than 125 MCDOT employees will be deployed over the two-day period to repair roads damaged in the recent winter storm.
Residents are urged to report potholes on County roads online here or by calling the County call center 311, or 240-777-0311.
Pothole requests after the blitz will still be accepted and addressed within three business days, weather permitting.
Residents can submit requests for pothole repair on state roads to the Maryland State Highway Administration – State Highway Administration (MSHA-SHA) via the or by calling 301-513-7300. State roads are identified by having a road number assigned such as MD 355 or Route 97/Georgia Ave.
Residents living within local municipalities including the City of Rockville and Gaithersburg, and should submit pothole repair requests to their own municipalities.
The latest winter storm was followed by the third-longest stretch of consecutive days of subfreezing temperatures in over 100 years. Ice forming in pavement cracks are known to damage pavement. In the last year, since February 2025, MCDOT has filled 2,727 potholes on County roads.
‘Heads Up, Phones Down’ Teen Video Contest Accepting Entries Through Saturday, Feb. 28
MCDOT is hosting its annual “Heads Up, Phones Down” teen video contest through Saturday, Feb. 28. MCDOT invites high school students to create a 30-second Public Service Announcement (PSA) video promoting driving and pedestrian safety. Students can win prizes worth up to $800 and earn up to five Student Service Learning (SSL) hours for their efforts.
County public and private high school students are eligible to submit contest videos in English or Spanish. Entries can be submitted individually or from a group of up to four students.
- Individual entries can win an Apple Mac Book Air, an Apple Watch, or tripod.
- Winning group submissions will split an $800 grand prize, $400 second prize, and $200 third prize, with a Visa gift card for each member.
Students can submit their video through this online entry form. Videos must be submitted via YouTube as a public video so it can be reviewed. Students also may qualify for up to five SSL hours for successfully completing an entry.
Winning schools will be visited by MCDOT staff and will have their videos posted on MCDOT’s Safe Routes to School website on Monday, March 16. Last year's winning videos can be viewed online.
Visit the contest website for more information at montgomerycountymd.gov/HUPD. Students can send contest-related questions to pedestrian.safety@montgomerycountymd.gov.
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Taxicab Meter Rate Change in Montgomery County
As of Monday, Feb. 2, all Montgomery County taxicabs including wheelchair accessible vehicle taxicabs have implemented a rate change from $2 per mile to $2.50 per mile. Additionally, a nighttime surcharge of $1 was established for trips between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. There has not been a taxi meter rate change in more than 15 years.
The $1 nighttime surcharge is designed to improve late-night service availability by compensating operators for working during hours when demand could be lower and operating costs are higher. There is also a public health and safety aspect to incentivizing more taxicabs to be on the road in the evenings.
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NOTE UPDATED CONSTRUCTION DATES: Closure of Medical Center Bus Loop in Bethesda to Impact Ride On Bus Routes 34 and 46 on Select Sundays Through Spring 2026
Due to Metrorail construction, the bus loop at the Medical Center Metro Station will be closed on select Sundays through Spring 2026, which will impact MCDOT’s Ride On Bus Routes 34 and 46.
As depicted in the map above, Ride On Bus Routes 34 to Wheaton and 46 to Montgomery College Rockville will use Bus Bay H (stop #25504) and Bus Routes 34 to Bethesda and 46 to Medical Center will use Bus Bay G (stop #25646) on Rockville Pike during the closures. Ride On Routes 30, 33, 70, and Ride On extRa 101, which use the loop during weekday service, will not be impacted as they do not operate on Sundays.
Construction work will take place from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22, Sunday, March 1 and Sunday, April 26.
For more information on Ride On routes and services, visit RideOnBus.com or download the free Ride On Trip Planner app.
Free Travel Training in Germantown to Help Older Adults Master Local Transit
The free three-hour Travel Training workshop from the Connect-A-Ride program is designed to help Montgomery County residents aged 50+ get comfortable using public transportation.
The travel training will be held on Friday, Feb. 27 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Germantown Library located at 19840 Century Boulevard in Germantown. Online registration is required to participate. No walk-ins are allowed. Swag, giveaways and refreshments will be available. Everyone who registers and attends the training will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win a Visa gift card.
For questions, contact Connect-A-Ride by phone 301-738-3252 or email connectaride@accessjca.org.
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Commuter Benefit Pre-Tax Limit Increases This Year
Commuters are eligible for an increase to their pre-tax commuter benefit limit. The monthly limit for both qualified transportation fringe benefits and qualified parking in 2026 will be $340, up from $325 in 2025, following changes to national policy.
This adjustment provides greater savings for employees who use pre-tax dollars for commuting costs, including public transit passes, parking fees and other eligible expenses.
This change is part of the IRS’s annual inflation adjustments, which aim to keep up with the rising cost of living. Employers offering commuter benefits can help employees take full advantage of this increase to reduce taxable income and support sustainable commuting options.
MCDOT’s FareShare Program is a subsidy program that makes it easier and more affordable for employers to offer transit benefits to their employees.
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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.
TODAY: In-Person Community Meeting on the Proposed Executive Boulevard - Grand Park Avenue Bike Lanes Project in North Bethesda to be Held on Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 7 p.m.
This evening, Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 7 p.m., MCDOT is holding an in-person community meeting at the Luxmanor Elementary School located at 6201 Tilden Lane in North Bethesda, to discuss the proposed bike lanes along Executive Boulevard and Grand Park Avenue in North Bethesda. The proposed bike lanes will run along Executive Boulevard from Nicholson Lane to Marinelli Road and then continue along Grand Park Avenue from Marinelli Road to Old Georgetown Road.
At the public meeting, MCDOT will present the project conceptual design and traffic study and obtain public feedback and answer questions. Public input is encouraged and may influence the project's design.
Following the community meeting, a Mandatory Referral hearing at the Montgomery County Planning Board is expected in late Spring 2026. A recording of this meeting will be posted on the project website on the following day.
The public is encouraged to visit the project website and submit comments and questions to the Bikeways Coordinator, Matt Johnson at matt.johnson@montgomerycountymd.gov by Saturday, Feb. 28
MCDOT Seeking Feedback on MacArthur Boulevard Bikeway and Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project in Potomac
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.
Public input is encouraged and may influence the final design and the decision on installing all or a portion of the project.
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.
MCDOT Seeking Feedback on the Redwing Road Sidewalk Proposal in Bethesda
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. Public input is encouraged and may influence the final design and the decision on installing all or a portion of the project.
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, March 11.
Governor Moore Announces Maryland Traffic Fatalities Drop in 2025, Reaching Decade-Low Levels
On Feb. 3, Governor Wes Moore announced significant progress toward safer roads in Maryland in 2025, with traffic fatalities falling by approximately 18% statewide, according to preliminary data. Motor vehicle crash deaths declined from 582 in 2024 to 480 in 2025, marking the first time fatalities have fallen below 500 since 2014.
Traffic Alert in Bethesda Due to PEPCO Work
PEPCO is doing emergency underground utility repairs requiring 24/7 lane closures for approximately 6 weeks. Northbound Fernwood Road is reduced to 1 left-turn lane and 1 right-turn lane and westbound Democracy Boulevard is reduced to 1 through lane and 1 left-turn lane.
Please plan extra travel time and use alternate routes when possible.
Regional Survey Shows Commuting Returning to Pre-Pandemic Patterns
The Commuter Connections 2025 State of the Commute Survey Report shows that while telework rates have decreased from their pandemic peak, satisfaction with public transportation has risen significantly, contrasting with a decline in satisfaction among those driving alone.
Transportation Planning Board Releases 2025 Annual Report
The TPB released its 2025 Annual Report in January. The report covers key milestones including the Visualize 2050 National Capital Region Transportation Plan, DMVMoves, regional roadway safety initiatives, the launch of Commuter Connections’ Commuter Cash app, resilience planning, and more. Read the annual report and watch a short video.
New Fees for Maryland Travelers Without REAL ID on Monday, Feb. 1
Starting on Monday, Feb. 1, the Transportation Security Administration began charging a $45 fee to attempt the airport screening process without a REAL ID.
The additional screening can take 10 to 30 minutes and can be prepaid at pay.gov to speed up the process. There’s no guarantee they will be able to identify all travelers.
Go Farther as a Student with 50% Off MARC Fares
High school, college/university, and vocational students can now save 50% on MARC train service. Visit MARC’s Student Saver Program website for more information and to apply.
The Public has Until TODAY, Tuesday, Feb. 10 to Provide Feedback on WMATA’s Fiscal Year 2027 Proposed Budget and Service Changes
Submit feedback online by 5 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 10. View all hearings on YouTube at MetroForward.
Metro Rolls Out New Bike Lockers Encouraging More Cyclists to Use Rail
Metro introduced new bike lockers at two of its stations, Foggy Bottom and Eastern Market, with more lockers on the way for this year.
Cyclists can reserve lockers through the BikeLink app for five cents an hour, capped at $1 per day.
The new system replaces Metro’s older annual-rental lockers, which cost about $120 a year. The pay-as-you-go model is designed to give cyclists more flexibility and lower the cost for occasional users.
Metro plans to install 450 bike lockers, 50 oversized lockers for cargo bikes, and 100 self-locking bike racks at 73 rail stations across the region. Find more information about Metro’s bike lockers online.
Survey: Most Americans Are Quite Open to Ditching Their Cars
A stunning 18 percent of car-owning U.S. residents indicated that they were "strongly interested" in living car-free, and another 40 percent said that they were "open" to it, according to a survey conducted by Arizona State University.
Read the Streetsblog USA article.
Why Transit, Density, and Walkability Matter for Social Connection
There are many wonderful benefits to having reliable transit and being well-connected to jobs, housing and services. It costs less than relying exclusively on a car, it creates a smaller carbon footprint and it’s safer than driving. However, being well-connected also provides significant social benefits that are often overlooked.
Read the T4America.org article.
Bikeshare Beat: CaBi Broke Annual Record With Nearly 6.7 Million Rides in 2025
Capital Bikeshare (CaBi) broke its all-time annual ridership record in 2025, as 6,662,647 trips were recorded across the Washington region. Ridership increased 9% from 2024, marking the fourth consecutive year the regional bikesharing network has broken its annual ridership record.
Read the Greater Greater Washington article.
For information on MCDOT programs and services, visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, follow @MCDOTNow on X, Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and subscribe to receive the latest MCDOT news by phone or email.
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