Go Montgomery - August 19, 2016

Ride On Wants to Hear from Riders about its Supplemental Service During SafeTrack Ride On wants to hear comments from passengers about their commuting and travel experiences during SafeTrack. Your feedback will help MCDOT and Ride On better prepare for October’s SafeTrack Surge #10, which will also affect the Metrorail Red Line. Read more. New Interactive Park & Ride Lot Map Especially Helpful During SafeTrack The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has created an online, interactive Park & Ride Lot map to help drivers plan their trips. The map allows users to find the nearest lot and see what transit options are available. Or, consider using the lots as a meeting point for carpools and vanpools.   MCDOT Launches Program to Display Ads in Parking Garages The Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) Division of Parking Management (DPM) began selling ad space in some of its most highly used public parking garages in Bethesda and Silver Spring. Space will be made available in additional garages based on demand. Read more. Don’t Miss the Deadline -- Submit Your PARK(ing) Day Application by August 26 Turn your favorite metered parking spot into a pocket park for a day. International PARK(ing) Day is Friday, September 16. Read more. County’s Rock Spring Shuttle Bus Project is Having Early Success Montgomery County has begun an innovative pilot program designed to transform the Rock Spring office park by enhancing transit options. Read more. Employers in TMDs Eligible for FareShare To help employers located within Transportation Management Districts (TMDs) encourage their employees to use transit and vanpooling, Montgomery County is introducing a FareShare matching subsidy program. Read more. MCDOT Employee Publishes Article about Mobile Mapping MCDOT's Edward Glawe, a Survey Crew Chief for the Division of Transportation Engineering, published an article entitled “Demystifying Mobile Mapping”, which covers geospatial disciplines for professionals. Read more. MTA Announces Start of Some Preconstruction Work for Purple Line This week, the Purple Line Transit Partners (PLTP) began making a series of preconstruction, subsurface, geotechnical borings on behalf of the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) in preparation for the design and construction of the Purple Line. Read more. August 19, 2016 Reminder: SafeTrack Surge #7 Extended Through August 21 WMATA will continue single tracking trains between Shady Grove and Twinbrook, on Friday, August 19, with a complete shutdown over the weekend between Shady Grove and Grosvenor-Strathmore. .Read more. Ride On a Popular Choice During SafeTrack During WMATA’s SafeTrack Safety Surges, Ride On has provided free shuttle and other bus service during peak travel times. Read more. Starting September 3, Seniors Ride Free Program Expands to Saturdays Ride On’s free program for seniors and persons with disabilities will be expanded to include Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. beginning Saturday, September 3. Read more. Preview Metro's New Website The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority announced that a test version of its new website is available and has invited users to try it out.

Go Montgomery is distributed by Montgomery County Government Department of Transportation.

MCDOT Employee Publishes Article about Mobile Mapping

Montgomery County Department of Transportation's (MCDOT) Edward Glawe, a Survey Crew Chief for the Division of Transportation Engineering, published an article entitled “Demystifying Mobile Mapping” in the June edition of xyHt Magazine, which covers geospatial disciplines for professionals. The article looks at the effectiveness of a popular mobile mapping system. Read the full article.

Reminder: SafeTrack Surge #7 Extended Through August 21

On Friday, August 19, WMATA will continue single tracking trains between Shady Grove and Twinbrook, providing service every 30 minutes to Shady Grove and Rockville. In addition, WMATA announced another complete shutdown of the Red Line between Shady Grove and Grosvenor-Strathmore over the weekend on Saturday, August 20 and Sunday, August 21. Read more.

Ride On a Popular Choice During SafeTrack

During WMATA’s SafeTrack Safety Surges that have affected the Metrorail Red Line since August 1, Ride On has assisted travelers looking for alternatives by providing free shuttle service between affected stations and enhancing existing service to increase frequency during peak travel times. For example, for six days during Surge #7, from August 9 to 14, Ride On transported nearly 9,400 people. During Surge #6, Ride On’s shuttles carried an average of 1,600 passengers a day.

Starting September 3, Seniors Ride Free Program Expands to Saturdays

Ride On’s free ride program for seniors and persons with disabilities will be expanded to include Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. beginning Saturday, September 3. Currently, those with a Metro Senior SmarTrip card or a Metro Disability ID card can ride free on weekdays during the same hours. 

Ride On Wants to Hear from Riders about its Supplemental Service During SafeTrack

Ride On wants to hear comments from passengers about their commuting and travel experiences during SafeTrack. Take  a minute or two to fill out a five-question SafeTrack survey. Your feedback will help MCDOT and Ride On better prepare for October’s SafeTrack Surge #10, which will also affect the Metrorail Red Line.

Since August 1, WMATA's SafeTrack safety repairs have affected the Metrorail Red Line in Montgomery County, reducing train service. To assist travelers during this time, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has provided additional services, including Ride On shuttle buses and more frequent service on an existing route. 

New Interactive Park & Ride Lot Map Especially Helpful During SafeTrack

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has created an online, interactive Park & Ride Lot map to help drivers plan their trips. The maps allow users to find the nearest lot and see what transit options are available from each one. Or, consider using the lots as a meeting point for carpools and vanpools.  

MCDOT Launches Program to Display Ads in Parking Garages

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) Division of Parking Management (DPM) began selling ad space in some of its most highly used public parking garages in Bethesda and Silver Spring. Space will be made available in additional garages based on demand. Read more.

Don’t Miss the Deadline -- Submit Your PARK(ing) Day Application by August 26

Turn your favorite metered parking spot into a pocket park for a day. International PARK(ing) Day is Friday, September 16. Read more.

County’s Rock Spring Shuttle Bus Project is Having Early Success

 

Montgomery County has begun an innovative pilot program designed to transform the Rock Spring office park by enhancing transit options.

At the direction of County Executive Ike Leggett, the Rock Spring Express bus service began operating on Monday, July 25 between the Grosvenor Metro station and the Rock Spring office park. The free service runs at 10-minute intervals from 6 to 9 a.m. and from 4 to 7 p.m. with no stops between the two locations. Read more.

Employers in TMDs Eligible for FareShare

To help employers located within Transportation Management Districts (TMDs) encourage their employees to use transit and vanpooling, Montgomery County is introducing a FareShare matching subsidy program. The short term County subsidy will match the employer's transit benefits and help them offset their commute benefit program start-up costs. 

FareShare will match the employer-provided transit benefit up to a maximum of $50 a month per participating employee (and up to $10,000 in one year to any one employer). Employers can offer their employees any amount up to the maximum of $255 a month permitted by Federal tax law as a tax-free commute benefit.

How does the program work?

• For employers that do not offer a direct transit/vanpool benefit, the County will assist in starting a commuter benefits program and will match the benefit offered by the employer up to $50 per employee per month.
  
• For employers already offering a transit benefit but less than the maximum allowable $255 a month, the County will match any increase in the transit benefit up to $50 a month.
  
• Transit and vanpool benefits must be offered through WMATA's SmartBenefits program.
  
• Employers are eligible for a Maryland state tax credit of 50 percent of their contribution, up to a maximum of $100 per employee per month. This credit is available to both for-profit and nonprofit organizations.

Employers can learn more by calling 240-773-BWTW (2989) or emailing.

Get information about other assistance available from Commuter Services by visiting their website.

MTA Announces Start of Some Preconstruction Work for Purple Line

 

This week, the Purple Line Transit Partners (PLTP) began making a series of preconstruction, subsurface, geotechnical borings on behalf of the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) in preparation for the design and construction of the Purple Line.

The work on Wisconsin Avenue will take place Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. in the public right-of-way and take about two to three weeks to complete. Intermittent lane closures will be required; motorists are advised to look for signs directing them through the work zone. Sidewalk access will be available at all times.

PLTP is conducting geological studies to explore soil, rock and groundwater conditions along the Purple Line corridor to better understand underground conditions. 

Preview Metro's New Website

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority announced that a test version of its new website is available and has invited users to try it out.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: SafeTrack Update*

WMATA Announces Extension of Current SafeTrack Surge #7; Single Tracking to Continue on Friday, August 19 with Another Complete Shutdown Between Shady Grove and Grosvenor-Strathmore Over the Weekend The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) today announced that it is extending SafeTrack Surge #7 through August 21. On Friday, August 19, WMATA will continue single tracking trains between Shady Grove and Twinbrook, providing service every 30 minutes to Shady Grove and Rockville. In addition, WMATA announced another complete shutdown of the Red Line between Shady Grove and Grosvenor-Strathmore over the weekend on Saturday, August 20 and Sunday, August 21. MCDOT will continue providing the following assistance to travelers on Friday, August 19: A free, non-stop Ride On “Red Line Shuttle” between the Grosvenor-Strathmore (Bus Bay D) and Shady Grove (Bus Bay E) 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 has extended peak-hour service to 4 ½ hours in both the morning and afternoon. Enhanced Ride On Route 46 bus service. Ride On has increased bus frequency to every 10 minutes during peak travel times between Grosvenor-Strathmore (Bus Bay E) and Rockville (Bus Bay A) via White Flint and Twinbrook stations. Regular fares apply. Over the weekend, MCDOT will once again provide 10 additional, free buses to supplement WMATA’s bus bridge on Saturday and Sunday, August 20-21 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  The buses will provide service to every Metrorail station from Shady Grove to Grosvenor-Strathmore. Ride On buses provided the same service during WMATA’s complete shutdown of the same track segment last weekend as well. Learn more about other travel options on the County’s website or read more about WMATA’s SafeTrack schedule changes. www.montgomerycountymd.gov/safetrack August 16, 2016

Go Montgomery is distributed by Montgomery County Government Department of Transportation.

Go Montgomery - August 4, 2016

First of Three Red Line SafeTrack Surges Nearly Over: SafeTrack Surge #7 Affecting the Red Line Begins August 9 SafeTrack Surge #7: Shady Grove to Twinbrook.  The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) SafeTrack Surge #6 is winding down and will end on August 7. From the following Tuesday, August 9, through August 18, WMATA will start SafeTrack Surge #7 to repair the portion of the Metrorail Red Line between Shady Grove and Twinbrook. Read more. Commuter Services Video Encourages Employers to Offer Telework as a Commuting Option During SafeTrack MCDOT's Commuter Services has created a quick, one-minute video aimed at employers to encourage them to consider telework during SafeTrack and beyond. Read more. Chris Conklin is New MCDOT Deputy Director for Transportation Policy Christopher Conklin has been appointed as the new Deputy Director for Transportation Policy with the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT).  Conklin spent 23 years at the planning, engineering, and environmental firm VHB, where he most recently was Managing Director for the National Capital Region.Read more. MCDOT to Sponsor Parking Day Celebration; Residents/Businesses Encouraged to Participate MCDOT is encouraging artists, planners, businesses, organizations, groups and individuals to participate in International PARK(ing) Day on September 16 by temporarily transforming a metered parking space into a fun, parklike spot. Read more. Kagan Wins Agreement from Hogan to Fund Shuttle Bus Service During Metro SafeTrack Repairs Senator Cheryl C. Kagan, backed by a broad coalition of Chambers of Commerce, transportation advocates, environmental groups and municipalities, urged Governor Larry Hogan to cover Ride On’s $1 million cost of providing shuttle bus service during Metro's SafeTrack maintenance of Montgomery County’s Red Line..  Read more.  Council Asks Governor to Provide Critical Safety Improvements at the Veirs Mill Road/Turkey Branch Parkway Intersection Following Another Fatal Accident Following a second fatal accident within a few months at the Rockville-area intersection of Veirs Mill Road and Turkey Branch Parkway, the Montgomery County Council has asked to take more aggressive action.. Read more. 2016 Walk & Ride Fall Challenge Registration Now Open Register now for the 2016 Walk & Ride Challenge that runs from September 11 through October 1. Read more. New Respect the Space Campaign Focusing on Disability Parking Signs Montgomery County’s continuing “Respect the Space” campaign has launched a new initiative to help ensure that the signage for disability parking spaces complies with legal standards. Read more. Carroll Avenue in Takoma Park Closed for One Year for Bridge Construction As part of a $12 million MD 195 (Carroll Avenue) Bridge rehabilitation project, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) has closed MD 195 between Jefferson Street and Flower Avenue for one year. Read more. Leggett Joins Hogan at Announcement of $229.6 Million Plan to Reduce Congestion along I-270 Corridor County Executive Ike Leggett joined Governor Larry Hogan at his announcement that he is investing $100 million for innovative congestion management ideas on I-270 and $129.6 million for an interchange at I-270 and Watkins Mill Road. Read more. Construction Begins on Nebel Street Separated Bike Lanes MCDOT has begun constructing separated bike lanes on Nebel Street in White Flint. MCDOT hopes to begin work this fall on separated bike lanes along Spring Street in Silver Spring. Read more. Adopt a Road Volunteers Making Our Environment a Better Place During fiscal year 2016, more than 1,150 volunteers reported collecting litter from County roadways under the Adopt a Road program. Read more on how you can help to maintain a clean and attractive environment and protect the Chesapeake Bay. August 4, 2016 Leggett Hails $10 Million Federal Grant for County Bus Rapid Transit Along Route 29 County Executive Ike Leggett congratulated MCDOT on the news that Montgomery County has been selected by the United States Department of Transportation for a $10 million TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant. Read more. MC311 Extending Hours During SafeTrack To help travelers during SafeTrack, MC311 will be open an additional two hours from August 1 through August 18. Read More. County Reports This Week Features MCDOT's Director Al Roshdieh and Ride On's Phil McLaughlin Talking About Safetrack. View the show online.  MCDOT Prohibiting Metered Parking  MCDOT is prohibiting metered parking along some main corridors to improve bus operations and traffic flow during SafeTrack Surge 6. Update on Road Maintenance Projects The Montgomery County Department of Transportation's (MCDOT) Division of Highway Services current list of residential paving projects. Transit Awards Honor Bus Operators with No Preventable Accidents Last month, Ride On bus operators were honored for their good driving records during calendar year 2015. Read more.

Go Montgomery is distributed by Montgomery County Government Department of Transportation.