What Is MCDOT Doing To Help Riders
Transportation
alternatives available using buses, MARC train, Metrorail or bikes.
Ride
a Bus
- Ride On: To encourage commuters to travel outside of peak hours, provide Ride On “Red Line Shuttles” between the Silver Spring, Takoma and Fort Totten Metrorail 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. Look for Ride On shuttles at the following locations:
o
Silver
Spring (southbound only): Colesville Road (between Wayne Avenue and the
Metrorail entrance);
o
Takoma
(northbound and southbound): Bus Bay A; and
o
Fort
Totten (northbound only): Bus Bay C.
- Metrobus enhanced service:
o
Route
P6 weekday rush hour service connecting downtown DC and Rhode Island Station;
o
Route
L2 weekday rush hour service connecting downtown DC with Chevy Chase Circle;
and
o
MetroExtra
S9 limited stop service, midday and rush hour, between Silver Spring and
McPherson Square.
- Other bus options:
o
Check
Park and Ride Lot options using this interactive map.
o
Ride On regular bus service.
Ride a MARC Train
- MCDOT is encouraging commuters to try MARC by distributing free round-trip tickets, while they last, at the Silver Spring and Rockville Metrorail stations on Wednesday, October 26 through Friday, October 28 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
- Purchase MARC train tickets at the MCDOT TRiPS store in Silver Spring, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Try the Brunswick Line, which has stations in Rockville, Metropolitan Grove, Garrett Park, Kensington, Silver Spring and Union Station (limited parking available near Garrett Park and Kensington stations).
- Connect with Ride On at many MARC stations. Enter station name here to view transit options.
- Buy MARC train tickets at the station or in advance.
o Use Quik-Trak ticket vending machines at some stations.
o On the platform from MARC staff at Rockville and Silver Spring during peak travel times.
o Onboard with cash only; $20 denominations or less. (Note: MARC charges a $5 surcharge for onboard purchases.)
o Online: http://www.mta.commuterdirect.com (Note: When purchasing a ticket, use "Washington, DC" for Union Station.)
o Silver Spring TRiPS store at the Silver Spring Transit Center, Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ride Metrorail Green/Yellow Line
- Use the Greenbelt, College Park or West Hyattsville stations (in addition to Fort Totten).
- Drive, park and ride from a Green/Yellow Line station. Check typical parking availability on this map.
Ride a Bike
- Ride to the West Hyattsville Green/Yellow Line station.
o Look for bike route “SafeTrack Detour” signs MCDOT has posted at station entrances to connect West Hyattsville on the Green/Yellow Line with the Takoma, Silver Spring, Forest Glen, Wheaton and Glenmont stations.
o Route distances along the Sligo Creek Trail, with local street connections, range from about five miles between Takoma and West Hyattsville to 11.6 miles between Glenmont and West Hyattsville.
o As with any bike route, prepare for the weather and be sure your bike has a headlight.
- Use the Georgetown Branch Trail between Silver Spring, Bethesda and Georgetown. This signed trail combines on-street travel with a gravel and paved path. Route distances are 5.7 miles between Silver Spring and Bethesda and 12.1 miles between Silver Spring and Georgetown.
- Use Capital Bikeshare.
o Access Capital Bikeshare in Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Friendship Heights, Bethesda, Chevy Chase Lake, Rockville or Shady Grove. See full station map online.
o Use a credit card for a $2 single trip fare, good for up to 30 minutes, or an $8 daily fare.
o Offer free Bikeshare memberships, training and helmets to qualified, low income residents through the MC Liberty program. Call Montgomery County Commuter Services at 240-777-8380 to learn about eligibility for a free, annual, Bikeshare membership.
- Plan your ride by checking the Montgomery County Planning Department's Level of Traffic Stress map.
- Join a "Learn the Route" free, guided bike ride from Glenmont Metro station Sponsored by MCDOT, on Saturday, October 29 at 10 a.m. to aid bike community.
Help for Drivers
- Drive, park and ride. Check Park and Ride Lot options using this interactive map created by MCDOT.
- Check Commuter Connections for ride-sharing information or contact Montgomery County Commuter Services for assistance at 240-773-8747.
- Use a car share vehicle. Montgomery County offers Zipcars at some parking garages.
- Use telecommuting resources at Montgomery County Public Libraries.
- MCDOT is:
o Monitoring traffic and adjusting traffic signals in areas most affected by SafeTrack to improve bus operations and traffic flow.
o Suspending MCDOT road repair projects along key commuter routes affected by surges.
o Asking that the Maryland State Highway Administration restrict lane closures and construction projects along key routes affected by surges.
o Prohibiting metered parking on weekdays from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. along the MD 97 and US 29 corridors in Silver Spring to improve bus operations and traffic flow.
o Coordinating with Montgomery County Police to provide traffic control to improve bus operations at the Silver Spring Transit Center and other key locations.
Explore Commuter Services Options
- View Montgomery County’s telework video and webinar or receive free, expert consulting services from Montgomery County Commuter Services. Call 240-777-8380 or email. MCDOT can provide assistance with telework, alternate work schedules, carpooling, vanpooling and use of car-sharing.
- Consider allowing employees to flex their time.
- Consider signing up for the County’s FareShare program for employers that allows them to buy-down the cost of transit or vanpooling for their employees. Contact Montgomery County Commuter Services at 240-777-8380 or email.
Helping to Educate Travelers
- Extend MC311 Call Center hours during Surge 10 to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, between October 31 and November 22. People can call 311 from within the County, 240-777-0311 from outside the County or use Maryland Relay Services.
- 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.
- 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.
Additional information:
