MCDOT Announces the Return of Decorated Winter Holiday 'Flash Lights' Buses
Residents can ride on one of the five decorated Flash Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses running along Colesville Road/Columbia Pike (US 29) throughout December. The buses feature colorful winter lights around the bus windows and a neon sign reading “Happy Holidays” along the side.
MCDOT is encouraging everyone to snap a picture of a Flash Lights bus when they see one and post it on their X, Bluesky, Instagram, Threads or Facebook account and tag @MCDOTNow for a chance to win a $25 gift card in a weekly, random draw. The contest will run until Friday, Jan. 6, 2025. The first winner was announced on Monday, Dec. 2.
The decorated Flash buses run along Colesville Rd/Columbia Pike (U.S. 29) between the Silver Spring Transit Center in Downtown Silver Spring and Briggs Chaney every 7-15 minutes. Flash service extends to Burtonsville during weekday rush hours.
The U.S. 29 Flash service is the first of a series of Flash BRT corridors planned for the County to provide a premiere bus service, along a single busy corridor. These routes are being designed with dedicated lanes and signal priority to make them faster. MCDOT will start construction in the Veirs Mill Flash corridor next year to implement Flash service between Downtown Wheaton and Rockville Pike. Flash corridors also add extensive pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements for safe accessibility.
Visit RideTheFlash.com to learn more about how to ride Flash BRT and view the Holiday Get Around Guide that highlights the many shopping centers and attractions accessible by the Flash U.S. 29 route.
Montgomery County Has an 11 Percent Reduction in Serious and Fatal Crashes Compared to Pre-COVID Years
Montgomery County's annual report for the Vision Zero Initiative includes details on progress made in Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) on 127 projects undertaken between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024. Serious and fatal crashes dropped 11 percent compared to the pre-COVID-19 years of 2015 to 2019. The reduction was driven by a 28 percent decline in serious and fatal crashes on high-injury network (HIN) corridors, which are prioritized for safety interventions under the Vision Zero Action Plan.
The Vision Zero Initiative is the County's multi-departmental effort to end serious and fatal crashes on roadways by 2030. The complete FY24 Vision Zero annual report can be found on the County’s Vision Zero website.
MCDOT related safety highlights for the past year included:
- 10 projects are underway on high injury network (HIN) corridors. HIN corridors represent three percent of the County roads and 41 percent of serious and fatal injuries.
- Eight traffic signals and pedestrian hybrid beacons were installed. The devices provide a red signal for drivers to safely allow people on foot and on bike to cross.
- 29 bikeway projects are underway. The majority of projects will connect to future Purple Line and bus rapid transit projects to make car free trips safe and convenient.
- 6.7 miles of new sidewalk were constructed.
- Outreach staff held 259 public engagement events at grocery stores, the Motor Vehicle Administration and at schools to engage residents on safety projects and provide important safety information.
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MCDOT’s Ride On Bus Service Ranks Second in the Nation in Bus Ridership Growth Among Transit Systems With 15 to 50 Million Riders
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) released its 2024 ridership report, which included an Instagram post ranking transit systems by increase in ridership. MCDOT’s Ride On system ridership went up 20%, providing more than 18.5 million rides during the current fiscal year, compared with 15.4 million rides the previous fiscal year.
“Our ridership numbers show that more people are choosing public transportation, and we hope to see those numbers continue to grow,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “We have implemented service changes and dedicated bus lanes to increase efficiency and on-time performance and upgraded our infrastructure to make our bus stops safer and more accessible for pedestrians and cyclists. I am pleased to see that these changes are benefiting our residents and more people are using the services we provide.”
MCDOT has seen the most significant increase in ridership on weekdays. MCDOT’s Ride On buses carried more than 58,000 riders each weekday in Fiscal Year 2024, compared with 46,000 riders each weekday during the previous fiscal year.
US29 Flash Bus Rapid Transit ridership is up about 8% compared to last year and about 56% since it was launched (during COVID). The bulk of the MCDOT Ride On ridership growth has been on the traditional fixed route services. Ride On reports that ridership is at about 90% of pre-covid levels. The heaviest ridership route, 55 (Rockville to Germantown) is up 23% compared to pre-covid years.
In FY24 Ride On carried 58.4k riders per average weekday and 18.3 million riders for the year. Ride On is pacing for about 19.3 million riders in FY25 with 5 months of data available. The FY19 ridership was 20.6 million.
MCDOT Ride On Buses Honor Rosa Parks Throughout December
Rosa Parks was an American hero who refused to give up her seat to a white man on a Montgomery, Alabama bus on Dec. 1, 1955. Her actions inspired the local Black community to organize the Montgomery Bus Boycott, led by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The boycott kicked off on Dec. 1, lasted more than a year, and ended only when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that bus segregation was unconstitutional. The year of the boycott was filled with hardship for the Black community, many of whom were dependent on buses for transportation. Parks lost her job and experienced harassment but became a nationally recognized representation of dignity and strength in the fight to end racial segregation.
Annually, December 1 is remembered as Rosa Parks Day.
Park’s role highlighted racism in the public transit system and ignited change. It affirmed that transportation equity is a civil right and highlighted the importance and great responsibility that all transit departments have to ensure that all residents are served equitably.
At MCDOT, everything we do is measured through a lens of equity. Bus fares have been reduced to $1, from the $2 pre-pandemic fare, to make transit more affordable and the department honors local programs providing free rides to seniors, people with disabilities, and county youth.
Throughout December, MCDOT will commemorate her legacy by placing special interior bus cards across the entire Ride On bus fleet, consisting of nearly 400 buses. Additionally, a designated seat on each bus will pay tribute to Ms. Parks’ historic act of courage.
Learn more about Rosa Parks and additional efforts MCDOT takes to ensure equity online here.
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MCDOT Offers Free Parking in County Garages and Lots on Saturday, Dec. 21 in Support of Local Businesses
The free parking day within County garages and lots is scheduled during one of the biggest shopping days of the year. Parking fees at on-street meters will still be enforced.
Small Business Saturday is a nationally recognized initiative to promote shopping at local businesses on what is traditionally one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year. The Saturday before Christmas, also known as Super Saturday, marks the final major shopping day of the year and one of the busiest for in-person shopping.
MCDOT hopes by offering free parking in garages and lots, residents and visitors will take the time to shop in person at local businesses. Street meters will still be enforced to encourage turn over.
Ride On bus service is an alternative option for holiday shopping travel with fare of just $1. Residents can plan their bus route using the Ride On Trip Planner app to find the fastest route and look up real-time bus arrival information.
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MCDOT Wraps Up Leaf Collection This Month
Leaf collection began on Monday, Nov. 11 and will wrap up late-December.
Since 1983, MCDOT has been composting the collected leaves at a County-operated facility in Dickerson. The compost produces a fertilizer called Leafgro, which is sold in retail stores. The profits support the program.
Residents who missed the two scheduled vacuum collections or who do not live within the leaf vacuuming area can have their leaves collected by placing them in paper yard trim bags for pick up on their regular recycling and yard trim collection day. Leaves placed in plastic bags will not be accepted. Residents also can bring properly bagged leaves to the Shady Grove Transfer Station. Another option is to mow fallen leaves into the yard to allow them to compost naturally.
Visit the Montgomery County Leaf Vacuum Program webpage for more information or watch this video about the program.
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Impaired Driving Enforcement Efforts in Montgomery County Will Continue Throughout Winter Holiday
MCDOT and the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) are warning residents that the "Holiday Task Force" to detect impaired drivers has begun and will continue through the New Year’s holiday period, ending on Saturday, Jan. 11.
As part of Montgomery County's Vision Zero effort to prevent death and injury on its roadways, the County annually implements a Holiday Task Force in which police officers from multiple agencies devote time and attention to detecting and removing impaired drivers from shared roadways. The Holiday Task Force began on Wednesday, Nov. 20 and will operate through Saturday, Jan. 11.
Maryland drivers found guilty of driving under the influence can face loss of license, hefty fines and jail time.
Last year, 143 drivers were arrested during the Holiday Task Force for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Residents can find a listing of local safe rides online here.
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Residents Can Provide Feedback on School Walkability Studies Addressing Safety Needs in Montgomery County by Friday, Jan. 10
Comments and questions may be submitted by email to walkyourway@
montgomerycountymd.gov, or by phone at 240-777-2192 by Saturday, Dec. 30. Written feedback will carry the same weight as oral testimony.
MCDOT has held community meetings for the below schools to get feedback that will help County staff better understand safety needs and plan future sidewalk and safety improvement projects within the school walksheds.
Each of the walkability studies reviewed the condition of existing infrastructure and recommended improvements that may be implemented within the school walkshed to provide safe and accessible routes for students walking and biking to school.
Learn more about all MCDOT walkability studies online here.
Public Can Provide Feedback on Safety Improvement Alternatives Along North Bethesda Middle School’s Bradmoor Drive in Bethesda by Monday, Jan. 15
Proposed safety improvements along Bradmoor Drive include 600 linear feet of sidewalk and intersection improvements at Bradmoor Drive/Rolston Road and Lindale Drive. MCDOT has developed three design alternatives:
- The first alternative includes adding sidewalks along the median, a new roundabout, and crosswalks at the Rolston Road, Bradmoor Drive, and Lindale Drive intersection.
- The second alternative includes sidewalks along the median, an all-way stop, and crosswalks at Rolston Road, Bradmoor Drive and Lindale Drive at the intersection.
- The third alternative includes a 6’ sidewalk along the southern side of Bradmoor Drive (along even number homes).
View the concept plan here.
For questions, please email project manager Nima Upadhyay at nima.upadhyay@montgomerycountymd.gov or Zabiullah Hakimi at zabiullah.hakimi@montgomerycountymd.gov.
Public Can Provide Feedback on Bethesda’s Greentree Road Bridge Replacement Project by Friday, Jan. 10 at 5 p.m.
MCDOT held a virtual public information meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 10 to discuss the proposed Greentree Road bridge replacement project over Bulls Run in Bethesda. The existing Greentree Road bridge was built in 1949 and is in poor condition. MCDOT is working proactively to replace the bridge before it becomes a safety hazard.
Residents can provide feedback by 5 p.m., Friday, Jan 10 via the online comment form or by emailing the project manager Rashid Abramov at rashid.abramov@montgomerycountymd.gov.
A Virtual Public Hearing to be Held on the Proposed Abandonment of a Public Right of Way on Hyannis Drive in Silver Spring on Wednesday, Jan. 22
Starting at 1 p.m., MCDOT will hold a virtual public hearing to discuss the abandonment of a public right of way on Hyannis Drive in Silver Spring.
Mr. Samuel Crook (the “Applicant”) petitioned the abandonment case. At an upcoming virtual public hearing, residents will have an opportunity to present oral or written comments concerning the abandonment of a public right of way covering approximately 14,000 square feet. The petition seeks to abandon the public right of way on the basis that there is no current or anticipated future public use of the parcel.
Online registration is required by 5 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 17 to attend. Testimony and information provided will become a matter of public record. Those previously registered to attend the hearing are not required to re-register.
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Montgomery County Announces Temporary Winter Closure of the Wheaton 'Streetery'
Montgomery County has implemented a winter closure of the Wheaton "Streetery," located on a portion of Price Avenue at Elkin Street in Wheaton. The Streetery comprises streets closed off to vehicles, enabling restaurants to offer outdoor dining spaces for customers and areas for residents to gather.
During the closure, the roadway will temporarily open to vehicular traffic to allow for winter maintenance, including snow plowing.
The Wheaton Streetery was one of four “streeteries” created in the spring of 2020 by MCDOT as a temporary concept to support businesses struggling from the economic impacts of COVID-19 and allow residents to gather freely on public streets when indoor dining was closed. The spaces were reevaluated in the late summer of 2022, with some closing altogether, some becoming seasonal and others taking on more permanent changes. Two “streeteries” remain open, Price Avenue in Wheaton and Norfolk Avenue in Bethesda.
One Montgomery Green is leading the effort to plan programming for the Wheaton Streetery’s reopening in late March.
The winter closure and spring relaunch are supported by and are being developed in collaboration with County Executive Marc Elrich, County Councilmember Natalie Fani-González, the Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee, local businesses and community partner One Montgomery Green.
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Sign Up for Montgomery County's Winter Weather Alerts
For the latest winter weather and travel warnings and notifications, subscribe to the County’s emergency notification system, Alert Montgomery. Alerts can be sent to one or more electronic devices, including cell phones and email accounts. In addition to weather alerts, subscribers can register to receive alerts about closures and other important notifications. The free service is available to anyone who lives or works in the County.
Residents can also visit MCDOT’s Snow Portal for county road snow plowing status, missed street reporting and other weather-related information at montgomerycountymd.gov/snow.
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County Police Crack Down on Unsafe Driving, Enforce Pedestrian Safety Laws
Wearing plain clothes and a bright orange hat labeled with the words “pedestrian safety,” Montgomery County police Sgt. Jeremy Smalley repeatedly crossed Route 355 in Germantown the morning of Wednesday, Dec. 4 to remind drivers to watch out for people using the crosswalk.
Read the Moco360 article here.
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Metrobus Service Changes Begin on Sunday, Dec.15
Metro will make service changes to 26 Metrobus routes in and around the District of Columbia. New service and changes will prepare for the launch of Better Bus in 2025 and add capacity to accommodate DC Circulator customers. In Maryland and Virginia, routes will change in response to long-term construction projects in Prince George’s and Arlington counties. The changes will improve on-time performance and continue to drive customer satisfaction and ridership.
Metro's Lift Program
Metro Lift is a reduced fare program that offers a 50 percent discount on Metrorail and Metrobus fares for customers in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia who are enrolled in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP).
Watch this informational video here.
Maryland State Highway Administration Launches Survey to Help Enhance Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety
The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration is strengthening its commitment to improve safety for vulnerable road users – defined as individuals walking, cycling or rolling, who are at a higher risk of injury or fatalities in crashes. To better understand their challenges, the agency has launched an online statewide survey and is inviting public input through Friday, Jan. 31.
The survey will collect feedback to help guide future infrastructure decisions aimed at making Maryland’s roads safer for all users. Participants can use a digital map to pinpoint key locations, such as neighborhoods, workplaces and routes where enhanced biking and walking infrastructure would make a difference.
Marylanders are asked to share their experiences by taking the survey online here.
Map Shows Proposed High-Speed Amtrack Rail for Northeast US
The company plans to introduce 160-mph high-speed trains using Amtrak tracks and stations, offering "Triple-Class" service with coach, business, and first-class seating, modeled after systems like France's TGV and Japan's bullet trains.
Read the Newsweek article here.
Maryland Leads in Carbon Emissions Reductions
Here’s some rare good news for Marylanders on climate change: A new analysis of federal government data found that Maryland led the way when it came to states reducing greenhouse gas emissions over a 17-year period.
Maryland cut carbon emissions by 36% between 2005 and 2022 and by 42% per capita, according to the report released by Environment America Research & Policy Center.
Nationally, the United States reduced its overall greenhouse gas emissions by 15% and its per capita emissions by 25% — though the report found significant variations in emissions trends by state for the 2005-2022 period. Maryland was the top state in reducing emissions of planet-warming greenhouse gases, followed by the District of Columbia, Maine, New Hampshire and Georgia.
Read the Maryland Matters article here.
The Deadly Trio on U.S. Roads – Speeding, Distractions, and Aggression
In 2023, nearly 41,000 people were killed in U.S. traffic crashes, a sobering reminder of the ongoing public health crisis on our roads. Despite a slight decrease from the previous year, the threat posed by risky driving behaviors remains alarmingly high.
A new report by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety illuminates this issue by categorizing drivers based on their self-reported risky behaviors.
View the findings here.
NHTSA Finalizes ‘Significant’ Updates to Its 5-Star Safety Ratings Program
The changes are intended to make roads safer by encouraging automakers to add pedestrian protection technology to their vehicles.
Read the Automotive Dive article here.
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