Go Montgomery! June 18, 2019

Ride On Flex Begins June 26 -- App Now Available for Download Get ready to try Flex, Ride On’s first on-demand service, by downloading the free Ride On Flex app from Apple or Google store and becoming familiar with it now. Use the app to request rides in the Rockville and Glenmont/Wheaton service areas. Learn more. MCDOT Shares Flex Plans with Other Regional Bus Systems MCDOT’s Deanna Archey was a featured speaker at the June 11 Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Private Providers Forum and discussed the upcoming launch of Ride On Flex. Flex is the first on demand public transit service in the Washington region. Lime Bike Delivers More E-bikes and E-scooters On June 1, MCDOT’s dockless vehicle pilot program was expanded to more areas in the east and west parts of the County and now includes e-bikes and e-scooters. Listen to MCDOT’s Sandra Brecher on the Kojo Nnamdi Show as she discusses safety and how MCDOT regulates these personal mobility vehicles.  Take a survey to share your thoughts. MCDOT Wins Three 2019 NACo Achievement Awards MCDOT won three National Association of Counties (NACo) awards in 2019 for its Call-n-Ride Transportation Program, Car Free Day Shop and Play promotion and FLASH Transit Outreach Program.  The awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that enhance services for residents. Learn more. Two MD 355 FLASH Open Houses Scheduled for June 26 and 27 Join MCDOT for one of two open houses to learn more about proposed options for the FLASH, a new BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) service along MD 355. Displays will feature evaluation and preliminary engineering results, and staff will be available to answer questions and hear your ideas. Learn more about BRT in Montgomery County. New Maryland Law Permanently Increases Fine for Passing a Stopped School Bus A new law now in effect in Maryland has made permanent the $500 fine for passing a stopped school bus and created a fine of $250 if a school bus camera detects a driver violating the law. Montgomery County Police report that during the 2018 to 2019 school year, 51,000 drivers risked the safety of school children. Learn more about when and where to stop for school buses. Bring the Kids to MCDOT’s Pop-up “Traffic Garden” in Kensington Don’t miss the ‘Cycling in the Circle’ event on June 30 at Warner Circle Park in Kensington where kids can practice safely navigating roadways, get a bike and helmet check, collect giveaways and more. View flyer. Volunteers Needed for iCan Shine Bike Camp in Takoma Park On June 24 to 28, MCDOT's Safe Routes to School Program will partner with Takoma Park to offer a free bike safety camp. The camp teaches children with disabilities to ride a conventional bike and become lifelong independent riders. Learn more and volunteer. MCDOT to Hold Public Hearings for Proposed Road Abandonments in Bethesda MCDOT invites the public to attend two public hearings on June 26 to provide input on the proposed abandonments of a portion of Kentbury Drive and Andrus Road in Bethesda for future redevelopments. Get Outside and Volunteer During Great Outdoors Month It's Great Outdoors Month, a time to step outside and enjoy the natural world. Why not volunteer while you’re at it? Help an Adopt A Road program participant keep their road segment clean—or commit for a year by adopting your own road. Upcoming Closures and Detours Chandlee Mill and Gold Mine Roads Intersection to Close June 17 - A detour route will remain in place over the summer during a bridge replacement.  Pedestrian Detour at Paul Sarbanes Transit Center for Purple Line Work - A work zone established by the Purple Line Transit Constructors will impact pedestrians at the Silver Spring Metro. Learn more. Lane Closures Expected on Connecticut Avenue - Intermittent lane closures to relocate utilities will occur on MD 185 at Jones Bridge Road through the end of 2020. Learn more about this BRAC intersection improvement project. Volunteers Sought for Montgomery County’s Climate Workgroups Montgomery County is launching a planning process to develop prioritized actions and strategies to meet its greenhouse gas emission reduction goals of 80 percent by 2027 and 100 percent by 2035. The County is seeking volunteers with expertise to serve on technical workgroups. Apply by June 30. Learn more. Storm Tips For Residents The hurricane and summer storm season has begun. The National Weather Service is urging residents to familiarize themselves with what to do before, during and after a severe storm. Learn more. June 18, 2019 “Just had an outstanding #customerservice experience on phone with @MCDOT_Parking to renew a parking permit. Not a joke, they always have friendly and capable staff on the phones. Other agencies and cable providers could learn something!” --Michan C. Update on Residential Roadway Resurfacing and Paving Projects Hewitt Avenue Cashell Road  Executive Boulevard  Boiling Brook Parkway  Rippling Brook Drive  Park Mill Drive Beech Avenue Update on Residential Concrete Projects Regina Drive Kids Ride Free Expanded! Now Kids Can Take Ride On Any Day or Time for Free Starting July 1, kids in grades kindergarten to 12 will be able to ride free on Ride On all day every day. Just show a Youth Cruiser SmarTrip card or school ID to the bus operator. Read more. Plenty of Bicycle Parking Available in County-Owned Garages and Lots Looking for a place to park your bike while in one of the County’s urban districts? All of MCDOT’s parking lots and garages in Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton have bike racks for public use.  Get there using Ride On – all buses in the fleet have bike racks. Wheaton Revitalization Project on Schedule The MCDOT project to build a new Town Center and office building to house several County departments and The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission headquarters is on schedule and 64 percent complete. Night work to place underground conduits along Triangle Lane, between Lot 13 and Reedie Drive, will begin June 20 and will not interfere with traffic during the day. See the latest newsletter. Click Here for Transportation-related services holiday schedule for Thursday, the 4th of July.

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