MCDOT's Go Montgomery! Newsletter - February 17, 2022

 

MCDOT Celebrates Black History Month Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements and contributions of African Americans who have helped shape the nation.  MCDOT celebrated Transit Equity Day on Feb. 4 to commemorate Rosa Park’s birthday, who would have turned 109 this year. Parks, a Black seamstress in Montgomery, Alabama, was a civil rights activist who refused to give up her bus seat to a white man on a public bus in December 1955. This day commemorates Parks, and other civil rights icons, and advocates for accessible, reliable and affordable transit powered by renewable energy as a civil right.  MCDOT recognizes the following individuals for inventions that impact the way we travel today: Garrett Morgan Invented the first 3-light traffic signals in 1923, leading to the “yellow light” as a caution to drivers of an upcoming stop. Isaac R. Johnson Invented an innovative bicycle frame in 1899, that could be taken apart to allow for easy storage in small places.  Meredith Gourdine Invented an exhaust purification system for vehicles, now known as the catalytic converter, in 1967 that reduces harmful carbon emissions released into the air. Participate in the Love Flash Contest Through Feb. 28 There’s a lot to love about Flash! Do you love how frequent and accessible it is? Maybe you love how comfortable and relaxing it can be. We’d love to hear how Flash or Ride On bus makes it easy to get where you need to go. Post a photo or comment on Twitter sharing what you love about the Flash, or other Ride On bus service, for a chance to win a prize pack. Tag @RideOnMCT or @MCDOTNow and use the hashtags #RidetheFlash #LoveFlash. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, March 1 on Twitter and on the Love Flash webpage. The first Flash line operated by MCDOT serves Colesville Road/Columbia Pike (US 29) and connects the Downtown Silver Spring Transit Center with White Oak and Briggs Chaney with stops along the way. Flash service—which uses 60-foot-long articulated buses—carries more than 2,100 riders per day and features bike racks inside, free Wi-Fi service and USB ports. At full capacity, the buses can transport up to 90 passengers making our transportation network more efficient and your travel easier. Learn more here. On Valentine’s Day MCDOT staff passed out sweet treats to riders at the Silver Spring and White Oak transit centers. Participate in the ‘Heads Up, Phones Down’ Video Safety Contest by Tuesday, Feb. 22 Montgomery County teens have an opportunity to win some great prizes by producing videos encouraging peers not to allow cell phones to distract them while driving and walking. MCDOT's “Heads Up, Phones Down” high school video contest is accepting entries of 30-second Public Service Announcements (PSAs) through Tuesday, Feb. 22.  Montgomery County public and private high school students can submit videos for the contest individually or as a group, of up to four, in English or Spanish. There is one grand prize and a first and second runner up for both the individual and group submissions. Wining group submissions will split the grand prize with gift cards for each member. Individual submissions may qualify for prizes that include a PlayStation Five, an Apple Watch or a tripod. Learn more here. County Executive Recommends Funding Bus Rapid Transit/Flash in CIP Budget The County Executive’s proposed CIP budget includes advancing two Bus Rapid Transit (BRT, also known as Flash) bus lines located in Equity Emphasis Areas. These include routes on Veirs Mill Road and the central section of 355.  These corridors feature faster service with high-capacity buses along highly traveled routes. Flash has vehicles arriving every 15 minutes or less and provides full accessibility for wheelchairs, persons with disabilities, strollers, bikes, and carts. The first Flash route launched last year on US 29 and is one of the highest ridership routes in the County. MCDOT Holds Two Virtual Public Hearings This Month The public can provide feedback and has until 5 p.m., Friday, Feb. 18 to register to attend the following hearings: Proposed Abandonment of Right of Way on Kensington Boulevard in Wheaton, on Tuesday, Feb. 22 The proposed abandonment of a portion of the public right of way on Kensington Boulevard from East Avenue towards Veirs Mill Road in Wheaton. Register online to attend. Learn more here. Virtual Public Hearing on Public Access Easement Off Landy Lane in Bethesda, on Wednesday, Feb. 23  The proposed abandonment of a public access easement that covers an approximately 1.3-acre parcel located at the terminus of Landy Lane in Bethesda. Register online to attend. Learn more here. Montgomery County Releases Second Quarter Updates of Climate Action Plan Implementation  The updates highlight the progress that is being made to implement actions in the County’s ambitious Climate Action Plan that was unveiled last year. Through the second quarter of FY22, the County has made progress on dozens of actions to help reach the goals of the plan that include: MCDOT implemented the first dedicated bus lane project in the County (in Germantown) and expanded micromobility services to the Germantown area. MCDOT is administering a tree-planting grant from the Chesapeake Bay Trust, with approximately100 trees planted in the right-of-way in Q2 and an additional 150 planned for planting in spring 2022. The Department of General Services, MCDOT and Department of Environmental Protection are working with the Department of Defense/Walter Reed and the surrounding community to identify climate change-related vulnerabilities in the transportation, energy and stormwater sectors and develop a Resiliency Implementation Plan for the installation. The Climate Action Plan is a strategic plan to cut community-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 80 percent by 2027 and 100 percent by 2035. The plan also seeks to reduce climate-related risks to the County’s residents, businesses and the built and natural environment. Learn more here. METRO UPDATES Metrorail Weekend Service Adjustments for Saturday, Feb. 19 Through Presidents' Day, Monday, Feb. 21 Metrorail will open at 7 a.m., Saturday and Sunday, and 5 a.m. on Monday, closing at 1 a.m. Saturday and midnight Sunday and Monday. Trains will serve 85 of 91 stations, operating normal service on the Orange, Silver and Green lines with scheduled service adjustments on the Blue, Yellow and Red lines.  Learn more here. Rockville Metro Station Bus Stops Have Moved Back to Original Locations  All bus stops at the west side of Rockville Metro Station have moved back to their original locations adjacent to the west entrance of the station. The bus stops were temporarily relocated during the Rockville canopy replacement project. The bus bays have temporary wooden bus shelters until they can be replaced with permanent shelters in late spring or early summer. Review the map and read more about these current bus route changes.  The West Kiss & Ride lot remains temporarily closed for resurfacing for the upcoming Surface Parking Lot Improvement Project. March 1 Deadline Set for Phase-Out of Older SmarTrip Farecards Faster, better faregates are making it easier for customers to tap, pay and ride Metro. This is part of Metro’s fare modernization program to replace and upgrade faregates on Metrorail and fareboxes on Metrobus. As part of this transition, beginning March 1, 2022, SmarTrip® cards purchased before 2012 will no longer work and must be replaced. Visit wmata.com/cardreplacement to learn more. Maryland I-270 Toll Lane Project  Visit oplanesmd.com for updates. Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Makes $5 Billion Available Over Five Years for National EV Charging Network The U.S. Departments of Transportation and Energy announced nearly $5 billion that will be made available, under the new National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program established by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to build out a national electric vehicle charging network. This is an important step towards making electric vehicle (EV) charging accessible to all Americans. Read the Federal Highway Administration press release here. Those Aged 50+ Are Asked to Participate in a Cycling Survey by March 31 Researchers at the Mineta Transportation Institute, San Jose State University, are conducting a survey to gather your thoughts and preferences about cycling among older adults. Your opinions are very important, no matter how much or little you cycle, or whether you cycle at all. The survey takes about 10-12 minutes and is anonymous. Take the online survey here. Roosevelt Bridge Lane Closures Could Worsen Commutes Through Summer as More Workers Return to Offices Emergency repairs that will enable the Roosevelt bridge to safely support the weight of regular traffic traveling between Washington, D.C. and Virginia will probably last through the summer. The restrictions are prompting transit agencies and some drivers to find other options at a time when traffic levels are rising and Metrorail is operating with reduced service. Read the Washington Post article here. Chesapeake Bay Trust’s Urban Trees Grant Program Now Accepting Tree Planting Requests Urban Trees Grant Program, a requirement by the Maryland General Assembly as a component of a 5,000,000-tree goal by 2031, welcomes requests for tree planting projects in urban, underserved communities. Applications may be submitted online until 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 3. The goal is to green communities to enhance the quality of life, human health, community livability and improve air quality. Did you know MCDOT manages the tree canopy in Montgomery County? Residents can request a tree to be planted in a street right-of-way. Learn more here. For transportation updates, follow @MCDOTNow on Twitter, visit the department website at montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot or sign up to receive the latest MCDOT news. Feb. 17, 2022 Transportation Schedule for the President's Day Holiday on Monday, Feb. 21 County Offices - Closed Ride On Bus - Operates on Jan. 16 schedule. Ride On extRa and Flex Bus - Not in service. Ride On Flash Bus - Blue line not in service. Orange line operates on a weekend schedule. TRiPS Commuter Store at Silver Spring Transit Center - Open 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. TRiPS Mobile Commuter Store - Closed. Parking at Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton Public Garages, Lots and Curbside Meters - Free. View more schedule changes here.  JOIN OUR TEAM MCDOT is Hiring Full-Time and Part-Time Bus Operators MCDOT is looking for dynamic individuals with a passion for public service, at any stage of their career. No experience is necessary. MCDOT is offering paid training to applicants. Other benefits include: Competitive Starting Salary Paid Commercial Driver’s License Training Paid Holidays, Annual and Sick Leave Retirement Benefits Health Insurance Ongoing Professional Development  Career Path for Advancement Learn more and apply at rideonbus.com/jobs. WHY I DRIVE “I wanted a career-based job with good benefits and that’s what I got. I recommend this job to anybody." Jennifer Beckwith - MCDOT bus operator since 2016. MCDOT to Participate in DEP's Go Electric! Event, Saturday, March 19 Residents are invited to attend the Department of  Environmental Protection's (DEP) Go Electric! event being held in Rockville at the Montgomery College, North Campus Drive, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Residents can tour MCDOT's Ride On electric bus, learn about electric lawn equipment,  and try out e-bikes and e-scooters. Residents can also learn about electric cars and car charging systems, exchange old lightbulbs for free LEDs and more.  Montgomery County Public Libraries to Open on Sundays Walk, bike or take the Ride On bus to your local library. Plan your bus trip and your buses location with real-time information here.  MCDOT Installs New Dynamic Speed Signals in Gaithersburg Last week, MCDOT installed new "dynamic speed signs" (DSS) that inform drivers of their actual real-time speed on Longdraft Road as part of a pilot program under the Montgomery County Vision Zero initiative to eliminate severe injuries and fatalities from traffic-related incidents by 2030. Over the next year, several other sections of County roads will have DSS signals installed. These areas will be studied to establish whether long-term dynamic speed signal installations have a significant and long-lasting impact on vehicle speeds. This past summer, DSS signals were also installed on Brink Road in Germantown and  Dennis Avenue in Silver Spring Visit Glenstone Museum in Potomac - No Reservations Required When Taking Ride On's Route 301 Bus The popular Glenstone Museum generally requires advance reservations, but none are needed for those who take Ride On’s Route 301 bus to the museum. The bus stops at Glenstone seven (7) times daily, Thursday through Sunday between 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Riders must be 12 or older. MCDOT’s TRiPS Mobile Commuter Store Will Be at County's Boosterama in Wheaton, Saturday, Feb. 19 Residents can take Ride On bus routes 7, 8, 9, 31, 34, 37, 38, and 48 to the Wheaton Metro Station across the street from Westfield Wheaton Mall where the County is hosting Boosterama between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Anyone 12 years or older and fully vaccinated can get a booster shot. Click here to plan your bus route. MCDOT’s TRiPS mobile commuter store will be parked outside the mall and open for residents to purchase Bikeshare membership, SmartTrip card and Marc commuter rail passes, view bus maps and routes, and get one on one assistance on trip planning. Registration Opens March 1 for the Annual 'Bike to Work Day'  MCDOT will join this year’s regionwide “Bike to Work Day” celebration on Friday, May 20. The annual regional event celebrates bicycling as a clean, fun and healthy way to get to work.  MCDOT will be hosting pit stops in Montgomery County. More details to come. To report down trees, sidewalk or curb damage, streetlight outages, pot holes, foliage obstruction and more, call 311 or report it online at montgomerycountymd.gov/ 311.

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

MCDOT's Go Montgomery! Newsletter is Now Available! Feb. 3, 2022

 

County Executive Recommends Funding Bus Rapid Transit/Flash in CIP Budget The County Executive’s proposed CIP budget includes advancing two Bus Rapid Transit (BRT, also known as Flash) bus lines located in Equity Emphasis Areas. These include routes on Veirs Mill Road and the central section of 355. The County Council will host the first public meetings on these recommendations, and hear public feedback, on Tuesday, Feb. 8, and Wednesday, Feb. 9. These corridors feature faster service with high-capacity buses along highly traveled routes. Flash has vehicles arriving every 15 minutes or less and provides full accessibility for wheelchairs, persons with disabilities, strollers, bikes, and carts. The first Flash route launched last year on US 29 and is one of the highest ridership routes in the County. Transit Equity Day is Friday, Feb. 4 Transit Equity Day has been celebrated nationally on Feb. 4 to commemorate Rosa Park’s birthday, who would have turned 109 this year. Parks, a Black seamstress in Montgomery, Alabama, was a civil rights activist who refused to give up her bus seat to a white man on a public bus in December 1955. The ensuing bus boycott resulted in the landmark Supreme Court ruling that segregation on public buses was unconstitutional. This national day commemorates Parks, and other civil rights icons, and advocates for accessible, reliable and affordable transit powered by renewable energy as a civil right.  Montgomery County Seeks Advisory Committee Participants for Bus Rapid Transit North Bethesda and New Hampshire Avenue Corridor Lines MCDOT is seeking applicants to serve on two separate Corridor Advisory Committees (CAC) that will provide feedback on the North Bethesda and New Hampshire Bus Rapid Transit (BRT, also known as Flash) planning studies. CAC’s gather important information on local ridership preferences and make recommendations. Participation in the CACs by residents and business owners ensures that a project is being vetted and supported by members of the public. Interested residents can apply by Friday, Feb. 11, to be considered for selection as a member of either the North Bethesda CAC or the New Hampshire CAC. Learn more here. ‘Heads Up, Phones Down’ Video Contest is Now Accepting Video Submissions to Promote Safer Driving and Walking Montgomery County teens have an opportunity to win some great prizes by producing videos to encourage peers not to allow cell phones to distract them while driving and walking. MCDOT's “Heads Up, Phones Down” high school video contest will be accepting entries of 30-second Public Service Announcements (PSAs) through Tuesday, Feb. 22.  Montgomery County public and private high school students can submit videos for the contest individually or as a group of up to four in English or Spanish.  There is one grand prize and a first and second runner up for both the individual and group submissions. Wining group submissions will split the grand prize with gift cards for each member. Individual submissions may qualify for prizes that include a PlayStation Five, an Apple Watch or tripod. Learn more here. MCDOT Begins Comprehensive Ride On Reimagined Study The Ride On Reimagined Study is a comprehensive, forward-looking assessment of the bus network that will result in significant recommended changes to how transit operates in Montgomery County based on current and future needs. This study will take an in-depth look at Montgomery County’s existing and planned transit systems, including Metrobus services that operate within the County limits and the future Purple Line. The study starts this month and is expected to run for 18-24 months. Learn more here. County Announces Region’s First Electric Vehicle Pledge and Cooperative Purchasing Pilot Program Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich issued a challenge to County residents and businesses today to “Lead the EV Charge” by pledging to buy electric vehicles as the County launched the Washington Region’s first Electric Vehicle (EV) Purchasing Cooperative pilot program. The initiative is designed to accelerate the adoption of EVs by the public in an effort to reach the County’s Climate Action Plan goal of an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2027 and a 100 percent reduction by 2035.  The pilot phase of the program will run through May. County Executive Elrich is asking residents and businesses to sign an online pledge stating that their next vehicle purchase will be a new or pre-owned electric vehicle. The County set a goal of getting 1,000 residents and 50 businesses to take the pledge this year.  Learn more here. Brookville Depot Microgrid Progress Update Montgomery County broke ground on the Brookville Smart Energy Bus Depot last September, an integrated microgrid and electric bus charging infrastructure project. The project will provide clean energy to charge zero-emission Ride On buses and is on track to be completed late this Spring. While about 30% done, the more complicated work including footers and underground work has been completed. This first-of-its-kind project supports the sustainability and climate resilience goals of the County. METRO UPDATES Metrobus Resumes Regular Weekday Service on Monday, Feb. 7 Metro is recovering from reduced staffing levels due to a growing number of employees sick from, or exposed to, COVID-19. Metrobus has been operating on a modified Saturday schedule, offering approximately 75 percent of normal weekday service, since Jan. 10. Read the press release online here. Rockville Metro Station Bus Stops Move Back to Original Locations on Sunday, Feb. 13 All bus stops at the west side of the Rockville Metro Station will be moved back to their original locations adjacent to the west entrance on Sunday, Feb. 13. The bus stops were temporarily relocated during the Rockville canopy replacement project. The west side Kiss & Ride will reopen a week later on Monday, Feb. 21. WMATA Installs New Faregates; March 1 Deadline Set for Phase-Out of Older SmarTrip  Farecards Faster, better faregates are making it easier for customers to tap, pay and ride Metro. This is part of Metro’s fare modernization program to improve the rail system’s faregates and fareboxes on Metrobus, along with other fare technology upgrades, including mobile pay on Apple iOS and Android. In conjunction with the rollout of the new faregates, and bus fareboxes in late 2022, Metro announced last April that older SmarTrip cards will be phased out. SmarTrip cards purchased prior to 2012 contain outdated chip technology and do not work with the new faregates. Beginning March 1, the old farecards will no longer be accepted. Learn more online here. Provide Your Feedback on the FY23 Metro Budget Metro’s FY23 budget proposal includes service improvements on Metrobus and Metrorail, fare changes to provide better value to riders, and a $2.3 billion capital budget to continue aggressive construction and rehabilitation projects for safe and reliable service. The public can share feedback by submitting a survey or written comments online by 5 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 15. Metro will also host three public hearings that residents can participate in virtually or in person. Learn more here. STATE PROJECTS University Boulevard Bike Lanes Will Not Return Despite ‘Nominal’ Increase in Vehicle Travel Time Maryland State Highway Administration (MDOT  SHA) will not bring back the shared lanes on University Boulevard in Silver Spring. Using data produced during the pilot project as well as results from a survey, the SHA announced on Jan. 26 that it would not make the shared lanes program permanent.  MDOT SHA Announces ​Grant Awards to Eliminate Pedestrian Fatalities and Serious Injuries Montgomery County will receive $720,000 to install protected pedestrian crossings using pedestrian hybrid beacons at Willard Avenue and Shoemaker Farm Lane and also at Willard Avenue and Park Avenue in the Friendship Village area. The county will contribute $80,000 to complete the $800,000 project. HSIP is a core federal-aid program that requires a data-driven, strategic approach to improve safety on public roadways and achieve a significant reduction in fatalities and serious injuries. For more details, visit safety.fhwa.dot.gov/hsip. MDOT SHA Activates New Traffic Signal on MD 586 (Veirs Mill Road) at Norris Lane/Monterrey Drive in Wheaton Learn more here. For a list of all major state projects, visit MDOT SHA’s Project Portal or homepage at roads.maryland.gov. ROAD/SIDEWALK CLOSURES A Portion of Sidewalk on Darnestown Road Will Close Feb. 9-14 Utility work will take place at 10315 Darnestown Road during the weekday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. beginning Wednesday, Feb. 9 through Monday, Feb. 14.  The sidewalk along the westbound and eastbound sides of Darnestown Road, within the project limits, will be closed. Detour signs will be posted. For questions contact Trinity Subsurface, LLC Keven Crossley at (484)-725-5988 or at Kcrossley@trinitysubsurface.com. Current Connecticut Avenue (MD 185) Double Lane Closures in Chevy Chase Current double lane closures are on northbound Connecticut Avenue (MD 185) between Chevy Chase Lakes Drive and Manor Road in Chevy Chase. As part of a Chevy Chase Lakes project, two existing fire hydrants are being relocated. Construction will take place on weeknights between 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. until Tuesday, Feb. 8 (weather permitting). Motorists are asked to follow traffic control signage while driving through the work area. For questions contact Magnolia Plumbing Heating & Cooling’s project manager John Kulp at 202-386-7468 or crew supervisor Dave Higdon 202-345-2093. For transportation updates, follow @MCDOTNow on Twitter, visit the department website at montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot or sign up to receive the latest MCDOT news. Feb. 3, 2022 JOIN OUR TEAM! MCDOT is Hiring Ride On Bus Operators MCDOT has immediate openings for full-time and part-time Ride On bus operators. The positions offer applicants 21-and-over paid CDL license training, a competitive benefits package and a fun, supportive atmosphere, with ongoing professional development opportunities. Learn more here. “I have been driving for MCDOT for 20 years. I like to give back to the County I live in. I like the good pay, great benefits & flexibility in scheduling.” Nishantha Ranmuthu Ride On bus operator Participate in the Love Flash Contest, Feb. 7 - 28 There’s a lot to love about Flash! Do you love how frequent and accessible it is? Maybe you love how comfortable and relaxing it can be. We’d love to hear how Flash has changed or improved your way of travel. Flash buses will be decorated with #LoveFlash heart window clings and there will be pop-up visits at Transit Centers. Post your FLASH bus picture on Twitter and tag @RideOnMCT or @MCDOTNow and include #RideTheFlash #LoveFlash for your chance to win a Love Flash Prize Pack. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, March 1 on Twitter and on the Flash homepage. Affordable Transportation Options for Everyone  The Capital Bikeshare for All program allows for free Capital Bikeshare memberships and a free helmet, for those who meet income eligibility requirements.  Bird's Community Pricing program is offering 50% off rides across low-income and other select community and non-profit groups. Save the Date For DEP's Go Electric! Event, Saturday, March 19 Residents are invited to attend the Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Go Electric! event being held in Rockville at the Montgomery College, North Campus Drive, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Residents can tour Ride On’s electric bus, learn about Bikeshare and other alternate transportation options, exchange old lightbulbs for free LEDs and more.  DID YOU KNOW? The inlaid mosaics at Flash station platforms were created by local youth artists from the Arts on the Block program. Metro Offers After-Hours Commuter Service Program This program is an easy and convenient way to get a ride to and from work between the hours of 12 a.m. (midnight) and 4 a.m. The Program is tailored for late-night workers such as those in hospitality and healthcare. Once enrolled, Metro covers the first $6 of your ride with Lyft when you commute to or from work within Metro's compact service area up to 40 trips per month. Learn more here. Free Bikeshare Rides for Mobile SmarTrip Card Offer Available Through June Metro and Capital Bikeshare are pleased to offer free bike rides to eligible Metro customers on the regional bikeshare system. Create a mobile SmarTrip® card through the end of the promotional period and you can earn ten free 45-minute classic bike rides on any one of Capital Bikeshare's 5,000+ bikes across 650 docking stations in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Existing mobile SmarTrip® users can also get in on the deal. The rides are available for 30 days after signing up, and you can redeem your free bike ride 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Sign up here. Report Says Montgomery County Has Good Bus Service, But Region Needs More Investment A report released by a regional coalition of business and smart growth organizations commends Montgomery County for its Flash bus service and free fares on Ride On, while urging improvements for bus service across the region. The report was published by the MetroNow Coalition. Read the Bethesda Beat article here. Amtrak to Reduce Train Service Amid Omicron Surge The omicron-related staffing shortages sweeping local transit and school transportation systems are also plaguing Amtrak, which announced it will reduce passenger service along the Washington-to-Boston rail corridor through March. Read the Washington Post article here. Call MC311 to Get it Done Need to report a down tree, sidewalk or curb damage, streetlight outage, or a pothole? Call MC311 by dialing 3-1-1 or submit your request online at montgomerycountymd.gov/ mc311. Go Montgomery is distributed by Montgomery County Government Department of Transportation.