MCDOT's Go Montgomery! Newsletter is Now Available! July 9, 2021

 

Ride On Bus Schedule Changes Beginning Sunday, July 18 MCDOT will adjust Ride On bus schedules starting July 18, to increase overall service and improve efficiency. The following 19 bus routes will have schedule changes and some improved frequencies: 1, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17,  20, 34, 46, 47, 48, 49,  54, 55, 56,  57, 59, 61, and 64. Click on the route number to see the timetable. For more information click here. MCDOT's Ride On Flex On-Demand Service Returns in Rockville and Wheaton/Glenmont on July 19 Ride On Flex, a unique on-demand transit service that was piloted in 2019 into early 2020, has been suspended due to the COVID-19 health crisis. Flex operates in defined zones in Rockville and Glenmont/Wheaton. This and all County buses continue to offer free fair to riders throughout the summer months. For more information click here. MCDOT Receives Four 2021 Achievement Awards from National Association of Counties Essential Service Plan – Pandemic 2020, Bethesda Facility Improvements, Wheaton Revitalization Project, Parking Program Adjustments due to COVID-19. Learn more here. MCDOT's Commuter Services Participants Win Three Regional ‘Commuter Connections’ Awards Three employers active in MCDOT's Commuter Services program have won regional awards at the 2021 “Commuter Connections Employer Recognition Awards” for innovative and successful commuter programs. There was a clean sweep of the category with all three of the region’s employer awards going to organizations located in Montgomery County. The Commuter Services office works with employers in the County to encourage commuter programs that are focused on reducing single-occupancy drivers. Learn more and get your business involved here. Employers FareShare Program FareShare encourages employers to begin a commuter benefits program, or enhance the impact of their existing program, by increasing the amount of transit subsidy offered to employees to attract more participants. As long as an employer contributes a minimum of $25 to its employees’ transit subsidy, the County will reimburse the rest up to the Federal maximum of $270. FareShare staff will visit offices free of charge to help set up commuting benefits programs tailored to company's needs. Learn more here. Sign Up for a Free Capital BikeShare Membership  Capital Bikeshare offers affordable, accessible, and fun transportation options for everyone, regardless of income. The Capital Bikeshare for All program is available to residents of Montgomery County ages 18 and older who qualify for a county, state or federal assistance program. Register here, call 240-777-8380 or email commuter.services@montgomerycountymd.gov.   Going Back into the Office? Join the Rideshare Program Ridesharing (carpooling) is two or more persons traveling together in an automobile. Ridesharing services enable commuters to find other individuals who share similar commute routes and work hours. Additionally, vanpooling is an option for individuals commuting long distances. Employers can give participants up to $270 in tax-free transportation benefits each month. If you would like to join or form a carpool or vanpool, visit tdm.commuterconnections.org/mwcog, call 240-777-8380, or email commuter.services@montgomerycountymd.gov. METRO NEWS Metro Advises Riders of No Red Line Train Service to Rockville and Shady Grove Stations Beginning Sept. 11 through Dec. 4 Metro Extends Late Night Subsidized Service Program Metro Board has permanently extended a special program that was created in 2019 to subsidize Lyft trips taken by night shift employees that could no longer take Metro because of the shorter operating hours. Hospitality workers and late shift workers can get more information and register here. MCDOT ROADWAY REPAIR PROGRAM MCDOT Re-Surfaces Dennis Avenue in Silver Spring  MCDOT has begun resurfacing the full width of Dennis Avenue under MCDOT’s Roadway Repair program. After resurfacing, lane markings will be painted. The project will take 23 weeks to complete. For more information, view the project newsletter. Crews have also started residential paving in Bethesda, Germantown, Kensington, and Colesville. Click here for a list of all residential road projects.   Wisconsin and Montgomery Avenue Closures Continue The current lane and sidewalk closures adjacent to the Avocet Towers building located at 7373 Wisconsin Avenue will continue until Sept. 30.   MDOT SHA Continues to Test Ramp Metering System on Northbound I-270 The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) ramp metering system is expected to be activated in 2022. Ramp metering is a part of the I-270 Innovative Congestion Management project designed to help reduce congestion by using sensors that detect real-time traffic conditions and activate traffic signals, when needed, to more efficiently control how traffic merges onto I-270. For a list of all State projects in Montgomery County click here. For department updates, follow @MCDOTNow on Twitter, visit the department website at montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot or sign up to receive MCDOT news releases to your inbox. July 9, 2021 MCDOT Supports Residents During Heat Emergency  To help residents during the heat emergency, MCDOT’s Ride On buses are providing free water to passengers and urging residents to take precautions to protect themselves against heat-related illnesses. View safety tips here. Residents Reminded to Wear Face Coverings on Public Transportation Ride On buses will supply a face covering to each rider who does not have one. MCDOT has distributed more than 50,000 face coverings to passengers since the start of the COVID-19 health crisis. Lead by Example; Practice Safe Driving Forty-one percent of teens say their parents continue to engage in unsafe driving behaviors such as texting and driving. You are the number one influence on your teen. Lead by example—park your phone, buckle up and obey the speed limit. Learn more at zerodeathsmd.gov. Maryland's 511 Travel Information Service Before hitting the road for your vacation destination, check real-time traffic conditions by visiting chart.maryland.gov. MCDOT Partners with BUP for “Paint the Town” Mural Project in Downtown Bethesda MCDOT and the Bethesda Urban Partnership’s (BUP) is calling artists to apply for the Paint the Town project for a mural on MCDOT’s public parking garage 11 on Old Georgetown Road. Submissions are due by Friday, August 6. For more information and to apply click here.  Montgomery Parks Continues Open Parkways Program The Open Parkways Initiative includes 2.6 miles of Sligo Creek Parkway,1.3 miles of Little Falls Parkway and 2.7 miles of Beach Drive. Little Falls Parkway will be open on weekends from 7 a.m. Saturday mornings to 6 p.m Sunday evenings. Sligo Creek Parkway and Beach Drive will be open from 9 a.m., Friday mornings to 6 p.m. Sunday evenings.  Go walking, biking, running, skating, skateboarding, or  scooting on these car-free streets this weekend! Vision Zero Ambassador Program – Pedestrian Safety Art Winners Announced Congratulations to our Elementary School Vision Zero Pedestrian Safety Art Contest winners: Ahana S (2nd Grade) and Nidhi P (3rd grade) from Matsunaga Elementary received safety reflective gadget gift bags. Natalie T (4th Grade) from Maryvale Elementary and Claire K (5th Grade) from Matsunaga Elementary received $20 Amazon gift cards. View the winning art projects here. Keep your eyes out for the next contest in the Spring! To report down tree limbs, potholes, storm drain issues, sidewalk damage and more, contact the MC311 Customer Service Center, dial 3-1-1, or visit montgomerycountymd.gov/ 311.

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