Ride On Bus Operator Commended by Passenger Ride On passenger Rebecca Nelson forgot her travel case on a Ride On bus, but the bus driver, Vance Young, found it and, thanks to a luggage tag with contact information, personally called Nelson within two hours to tell her how to retrieve the bag from Ride On’s Lost and Found. Nelson wrote to Ride On to express her appreciation, stating Young’s action “…is TRULY one of the kindest gestures I have ever experienced. In life’s busy and stressful times, many people don’t take time to help someone.”   Community Meeting Held to Discuss Dockless Bikeshare A community meeting gave residents an opportunity to learn more about the County’s dockless bikeshare pilot project in Silver Spring and Takoma Park and discuss suggestions with representatives of the bikeshare companies. MCDOT prepared a flyer that summarizes the do’s and don’ts for using and parking bikes. See flyer.   Let Metro Know by February 5 That You Want All Red Line Trains Extended to Shady Grove In 2015, the Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority Board committed to extending all Red Line service to Shady Grove beginning July 2018; currently, about half of Red Line trains turn back at Grosvenor. Let Metro know your opinion by 5 p.m. on Monday, February 5. Read more. County Executive’s Proposed Capital Budget Includes Funds to Improve Alternatives to Interim Georgetown Branch Trail County Executive Isiah Leggett’s proposed capital budget includes about $3 million for construction of protected bike lanes and other bicycle infrastructure improvements in Bethesda. The funds will be used to further enhance alternative routes until the Interim Georgetown Branch Trail, which is now closed, is rebuilt as part of the Purple Line project. Read more.  Planning Board to Hold Public Hearing in Germantown on Draft MARC Rail Communities Sector Plan The Montgomery Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Thursday, February 1, at 7 p.m. The Plan makes recommendations for land use and zoning focusing on the areas around the Germantown and Boyds MARC train stations. Read more. Seniors and Disabled Adults - Learn More About Available Transportation Services Connect-A-Ride is a free information and referral service about transportation options for seniors and disabled adults in Montgomery County. Ride Smart is a free, public transit, travel training workshop for those aged 50 or older. More information is available by calling 301-738-3252 Mon-Fri, 9 am-5 pm or emailing ConnectARide@AccessJCA.org. Metro Has Begun Rush Hour Promise Service Guarantee Metro's Board of Directors began the Rush Hour Promise program, a first-of-its-kind service guarantee for Metro customers on Metrorail or Metrobus using a registered SmarTrip® card. If their trip is delayed by 15 minutes or more, Metro will credit the customer's card for future travel. Read more. MDOT MTA Partners with Zipcar to Provide Car-Sharing Options The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) is partnering with Zipcar to add 15 Zipcars at eight Light RailLink, Metro SubwayLink and MARC Train stations. Read more.  January 31, 2018 Subscribe Here

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

Go Montgomery! January 23, 2018

TPB Awards $544,430 to MCDOT for Call-n-Ride Taxi Service That Provides Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) received $544,430 in federal funding from the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments for its Call-n-Ride taxi service, which provides taxi trips for low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities. Read more. Wheaton Revitalization News Two cranes are required for construction of the new building. The South Tower crane was installed the weekend of January 13 and the North Tower crane will be installed the weekend of January 27, weather permitting. This installation will require temporary closure of the west side of Parking Lot 13. Read more. Follow the project progress by accessing the construction site camera online. MCDOT Partnership with Arts on the Block Featured in New Video A new video tells the story of MCDOT’s partnership with Arts on the Block, a non-profit organization that provides opportunities to teens to obtain real-world experience in art, design and business by executing public and private art commissions with clients across the metropolitan region. Read more or watch the video.  MCDOT Hosted the Most Recent Meeting of Regional Transportation Agencies MCDOT recently hosted a meeting of the Metropolitan Area Transportation Operations Coordination (MATOC) Program, a partnership between transportation agencies in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia that aims to improve safety and mobility in the region through information sharing, planning, and coordination. Learn more about MATOC. Metro Advises Customers of Parking Changes Effective February 5 Effective Monday, February 5, Metro will expand hours when parking fees are charged, lower parking fees at two stations as part of a pilot program, and begin charging higher fees for "non riders" at additional stations. In addition, a $2 fee for Saturday parking will begin February 10. Read more.  Reminder: Bus Routes Changed in Wheaton Several Ride On and Metrobus routes were altered and some bus stops relocated on Sunday, December 17, to accommodate construction activities during the Wheaton Downtown Revitalization Project. Read moreabout the changes.  Montgomery County Planning Board to Hold Public Hearing on Draft MARC Rail Communities Sector Plan The Montgomery Planning Board will hold a Public Hearing on a draft of the MARC Rail Communities Sector Plan on February 1 at 7 p.m. at the BlackRock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown. View the document online. Beginning January 22, sign up online to testify. Department of Environmental Protection Launches Storm Drain Art Contest The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection invites artists to submit entries by February 16 for the 2018 Storm Drain Art Contest. The contest uses art to educate residents about the connection between storm drains, streams and the Chesapeake Bay. Check online for more information on the contest and how to enter.  Leggett Seeks Applicants for Rustic Roads Advisory Committee County Executive Isiah Leggett is seeking applicants to fill three vacancies on the Rustic Roads Advisory Committee. All members must be Montgomery County residents. Read more and apply online. Update on Changes to Commuter Benefits The recently passed federal tax reform legislation preserves commuter transportation benefits. However, individuals will be required to report bicycle benefits as taxable. Learn more. JANUARY 23, 2018 FareShare Helps Employers Encourage Transit Use and Vanpooling Montgomery County's FareShare matching subsidy program helps County employers encourage their employees to use transit and vanpooling.  Watch this video from Montgomery County Commuter Services for an overview or get more information online. New Monthly Podcast About “Communities in Transit” Available The Federal Transit Administration, administered by Smart Growth America, has launched a new monthly podcast series called Building Better Communities with Transitthat reviews how communities of all sizes can catalyze smarter growth by encouraging development around transit stations and along transit corridors. Listen to the podcast.

Go Montgomery! January 9, 2018

Sixth Bikeshare Station Installed in Wheaton A Bikeshare station funded by AVA Wheaton was installed by MCDOT today, expanding Wheaton’s Bikeshare network to six stations. Installation of the station had to wait until the AVA development was nearly complete Read more. Attend an Open House About the MD 355 BRT Meet the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) team and get information about future plans for MD 355. Three open houses will be held on January 22, 24 and February 1. Learn more. MCDOT Smart Traffic Signal Pilot Project Featured on NBC 4 A pilot project using Adaptive Signal Technology on Montrose Parkway is testing how well new automated systems that automatically adjust traffic signals based on traffic conditions may improve traffic flow. Watch Channel 4’s story. Wheaton Revitalization Progress Excavation for the building foundation continues and is expected to be completed by the end of January, weather permitting. Additional street lighting has been added along Reedie Drive and Triangle Lane. View the progress in real time or get more information about the project. NHTSA Offers Winter Driving Tips The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers videos, fact sheets, and tips to ensure you and your vehicle are prepared for winter driving: NHTSA Winter Driving Tips.  Commuter Connections Launches Flextime Rewards Program The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Commuter Connections program has launched Flextime Rewards to encourage commuters to take advantage of flexible work schedules offered by their employers and help them avoid traveling during peak congestion periods, major incidents, or higher-than-average traffic days, including portions of the Beltway and I-270. Read more. Purple Line Now: Envisioning the Purple Line Series to Feature Maryland Secretary of Transportation Pete Rahn Secretary Pete Rahn will discuss the Purple Line on Thursday, January 18 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Takoma/Silver Spring Campus of Montgomery College. The event is open to the public and tickets are free. All spaces have been reserved; however, click here to be added to the waiting list. UMD Students Release "People of the Purple Line (in the Silver Spring Regional Area)" Story Map Three University of Maryland (UMD) students, working with the UMD's Smart Growth Center and the Silver Spring Regional Center, just released an interactivePeople of the Purple Line (in the Silver Spring Regional Area) Story Map, which complements a similar effort underway for the full line. SmarTrip Cards Will No Longer Allow Negative Balances Metro reminds customers that, starting Monday, January 8, SmarTrip cards will no longer work when they have a negative balance. Read more. January 9, 2018 Go Montgomery is distributed by Montgomery County Government Department of Transportation.