Montgomery County Honors Veterans with Operation Green Light Ride On Bus
On Monday, Nov. 10, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, County Council President Kate Stewart, and members of the County Council joined MCDOT’s Director Chris Conklin to launch Operation Green Light, a national program encouraging displays of green light to honor veterans. MCDOT launched its second Ride On “Operation Green Light” themed bus at the ceremony to bring attention to the campaign and share resources.
MCDOT’s Ride On bus is wrapped in a design depicting the U.S. flag, an outline of veterans and highlighting Operation Green Light. The bus also features a neon sign reading “Operation Green Light” to illuminate the bus at night. The Montgomery County Commission on Veterans Affairs website and resource line is printed on the back of the bus.
In addition, nearly 400 Ride On buses will have informational cards on board with QR codes and a phone number for information for veteran resources and services.
Veterans services can be reached through Serving Together which can be accessed by calling 855-738-7176 or visiting the Commission on Veterans Affairs website.
The Operation Green Light bus will be deployed on bus routes throughout Montgomery County. Look for photos of the Ride On Operation Green Light bus in motion on the MCDOT social media channels or by following the #OperationGreenLight hashtag. Riders are encouraged to post photos of the veterans wrapped bus in support and tag @MCDOTNow.
Leaf Vacuum Collection Begins in Designated Areas of Montgomery County
MCDOT began its annual leaf vacuuming program on Monday, Nov. 10, continuing collections throughout December, in specified areas. There will be two collections scheduled within each collection district.
Before collection begins in a neighborhood, MCDOT will post signs along streets with the upcoming leaf vacuuming date and the online leaf collection website for additional information.
Residents are asked to pile leaves at the edge of their yard or curb — not in the street, bike lanes, or on sidewalks. Leaves in these areas can disrupt traffic, pose a safety hazard for cyclists and pedestrians, negatively impact stormwater drainage, and become a fire hazard for automobiles parked over them.
It is important that no extra debris is mixed into the leaves that are vacuumed as they are composted and recycled as fertilizer. Plastic contamination can result in unusable compost. Tree branches, coarse garden debris, sticks, and branches should be placed in containers or tied in bundles no more than four feet long and set out for recycling pick up.
Leaves placed in plastic bags will not be accepted. Residents may also bring properly bagged leaves to the Shady Grove Transfer Station. Compost bins are available on the My Green Montgomery webpage.
To determine if a property is within the boundaries of the leaf vacuum collection district or to view the collection schedule, visit montgomerycountymd.gov/leafing or contact 311 online or by calling 311 Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-7 p.m. from inside the County, or calling 240-777-0311 from outside the County. The number for MD Relay is 711 or use the toll-free/out-of-state number at 1-800-735-2258.
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Ride On Wins Outstanding Transit System and Driver of the Year Awards from the Transportation Association of Maryland (TAM)
Over the past year, MCDOT Transit balanced a steadfast commitment to safety and customer care while continuing to serve as a vital community connector for jobs, schools, healthcare, and daily life.
Highlights include:
- Safety first: Streamlined reporting procedures and coordination with county law enforcement and emergency services strengthened system-wide preparedness and rider confidence.
- Reliable, sustainable operations: Expanded use of hybrid and electric buses and refined maintenance practices reduced downtime, extended vehicle life and lowered environmental impact.
- Fiscal responsibility: Stronger financial controls and cost containment.
- Investing in people: Targeted wellness initiatives, flexible scheduling and attendance incentives reduced absenteeism. Expanded training covering ADA compliance and customer care. Supported a healthy work-life balance.
Driver of the Year: Operator Luis Reyes Flores
Operator Flores maintains a stellar safety record and is known by riders as “very polite and kind” and deeply aware of the responsibility of operating a large bus. On Aug. 8, 2024, he went above and beyond when a passenger experienced a drug overdose. He contacted Central Communications and called 911, provided critical information, followed emergency instructions, and administered life-saving CPR until paramedics arrived. His calm professionalism and swift action saved a life, exemplifying the highest standards of public service.
Please join us in congratulating Operator Luis Reyes Flores and the entire Ride On team for these well-deserved honors. If you ride a Ride On bus today, share a thank-you with your driver. If you have a positive Ride On story, we’d love to hear it. Tag us on social media @MCDOTNow.
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MCDOT Wants Feedback on Safe Routes to School Walkability Surveys
MCDOT is conducting walkability studies at 15 Montgomery County public schools and is requesting that parents and guardians of students attending the schools participate in a survey.
MCDOT’s Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program has a plan to review the school walk areas for each MCPS school. About 15 -20 schools are reviewed for safety improvements each year. The studies make recommendations for improved crossings and filling sidewalk gaps.
Visit the program website for information and resources for schools and parents.
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MCDOT Reminds Residents to Plan Out Their Evenings This Thanksgiving Holiday and Never Drink and Drive
During Thanksgiving weekend, millions will hit our nation's roads, eager to gather with family and friends. It’s one of the busiest travel times of the year and the most dangerous. More people on the roadways means a higher potential for vehicle crashes. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Eve, has also been known as one of the deadliest nights of the year due to heavy consumption of alcohol.
From 2019 to 2023, 149 drunk drivers were involved in fatal traffic crashes on Thanksgiving Eve (6 p.m. the Wednesday before Thanksgiving through 5:59 a.m. Thanksgiving morning.)
Plan ahead. If you don't have a designated driver, contact a friend or family member, use public transportation, a taxi or rideshare service like Uber or Lyft. Never let family or friends drive if they have had too much alcohol to drink. Visit Montgomery County’s Safe Ride Home webpage for more resources.
Wrap Soberride is a program that offers free Lyft rides during the holidays to prevent impaired driving. They typically run a Thanksgiving campaign. Visit SoberRide.com for more information.
If you see a suspected drunk driver on the road call 9-1-1 to report it. It could save lives.
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MCDOT to Offer Free Parking in County Garages and Lots on Saturday, Nov. 29 and Saturday, Dec. 20
MCDOT is offering free parking in County-owned garages and lots on Saturday, Nov. 29 and Saturday, Dec. 20. The free parking days are scheduled during two of the biggest shopping days of the year.
“We know many of our residents will do their holiday shopping on Small Business Saturday and Super Saturday, and we want to make their experience as stress-free and convenient as possible,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “All Ride On buses are now zero-fare, so if you prefer to leave the car at home, you can take a Ride On bus to County destinations. Search for the Ride On Trip Planner App on your devise for easy trip planning.”
Parking fees at on-street meters will still be enforced on those days. Parking meters allow for turnover in front of businesses.
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.
Residents can also avoid having to park by planning a bus ride using the Ride On Trip Planner app to find the fastest route and get real-time bus arrival information.
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MCDOT Welcomes New Ride On Bus Operators
The latest class of Ride On bus operators graduated on Friday, Oct. 31. MCDOT’s Bus Operators attend a 6-week paid training course that covers a variety of topics. To pass the course, aspiring operators must successfully complete a "Skills Pad" driving course and demonstrate mastery of customer service skills.
Congratulations to the recent graduates. MCDOT is appreciative of the work that all our operators do to provide the best transportation service in the region.
- Stephanie Gray (Silver Spring Depot)
- Dagnachew Asress (Gaithersburg Depot)
- Andre Lucas Jr. (Gaithersburg Depot)
If you are interested in a bus operator position and wish to be contacted when MCDOT is hiring, please complete this online form.
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In-Person Public Meeting on the Glen Haven Elementary School and Sligo Middle School Safe Routes to School Safety Improvement Project to be Held on Thursday, Nov. 13
On Thursday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m., MCDOT will hold an in-person public meeting to present plans for new sidewalk and safety enhancements at various locations within the walksheds of Glen Haven Elementary School in Wheaton and Sligo Middle School in Silver Spring.
The meeting will be held in the cafeteria of Glen Haven Elementary School cafeteria located at 10900 Inwood Avenue in Wheaton.
As part of a countywide initiative to identify safe and accessible routes for students walking and biking to school, MCDOT has completed a walkability study for Glen Haven Elementary School and Sligo Middle School. The study evaluated existing infrastructure conditions and identified recommended improvements within each school’s walkshed to enhance safety and accessibility for students who walk or bike to school.
The public is encouraged to visit the project website and provide feedback by email to walkyourway@montgomerycountymd.gov or phone 240-777-2170 by 6 p.m., Friday, Jan. 2. Written comments carry the same weight as oral comments. All information provided will become a matter of public record.
Virtual Public Hearing on the Proposed Modification to the Highland Stone Residential Permit Parking Area in Potomac to be Held on Tuesday, Nov. 18
On Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 6:30 p.m., MCDOT will hold a virtual public hearing to discuss the proposed modification of adding Bunnell Street to the current Highland Stone Residential Permit Parking Area in Potomac. The public will have an opportunity to provide testimony and ask questions. Public input is encouraged and may influence the final decision.
The Residential Permit Parking (RPP) Program began in 1974 to reduce the impact of non-resident parking on neighborhood streets in areas near certain public facilities and land uses (such as Metrorail stations) and is governed by Executive Regulation 13-23. Parking by too many non-residents can restrict resident access to on-street parking, increase air and noise pollution, and create unsafe traffic conditions.
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MCDOT Accepts Public Comments on the River Falls Neighborhood Drainage Improvement Project in Potomac Through Wednesday, Dec. 3
The River Falls Neighborhood Drainage Improvement project provides engineering plans and cost estimates to address the recommendations and concerns within the existing River Falls neighborhood-built environment as outlined in the 2022 River Falls Drainage Study.
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Montgomery Parks Announces Fall/Winter Open Parkways Schedule
Following a decision by the Montgomery County Planning Board, the Beach Drive Open Parkway schedule will no longer include Fridays. The parkway from Knowles Avenue to Cedar Lane will be open to pedestrians and cyclists on Saturdays at 7 a.m. through Sundays at 4 p.m.
View the fall schedule that started on Friday, Nov. 7.
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Council Passes Bicycle Safety Legislation
On Nov. 4, the Montgomery County Council unanimously passed legislation that enhances safety for cyclists by prohibiting vehicles from standing, stopping, or parking in designated bikeways across the county. The bicycle safety legislation (Bill 28-25) was introduced by Councilmember Evan Glass and co-sponsored by Councilmembers Natali Fani-González, Andrew Friedson, and Dawn Luedtke.
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Maryland Declares Nov. 17-21 ‘Crash Responder Safety Week’ as Part of Effort to Protect First Responders
Motorists are reminded of the new Move Over Law and urged to slow down when approaching traffic incidents or disabled vehicles, stay alert, and safely move over a lane.
November 17-21 has been proclaimed Crash Responder Safety Week in Maryland, in support of a national effort to raise awareness of the critical role motorists play in keeping first responders safe.
Every few seconds, a traffic incident responder puts his or her life on the line to aid crash victims and to safely and quickly clear crashes as well as other traffic incidents that could otherwise result in a secondary crash. Every year traffic incident responders are killed in the line of duty or bear life-long scars from life-altering injuries.
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Maryland Will Provide Free Rail and Commuter Bus Transit to Federal Workers During Shutdown
Maryland will provide free MARC train and Commuter Bus service to federal workers for the duration of the government shutdown, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has announced.
Anyone with a federal ID badge can ride for free by showing their badge to the operator.
Read WTOP article.
Transportation Planning Board (TPB) Supports Six Planning Projects That Promote Roadway Safety
At its monthly meeting, members of the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) approved support for six local planning projects aimed at improving roadway safety across the region. The projects will receive $480,000 total in short-term consultant assistance as part of the Fiscal Year 2025 TPB Regional Roadway Safety Program (RRSP).
The program offers consultant assistance up to $80,000 for planning projects and up to $100,000 for design projects that address roadway safety issues and contribute to a reduction in fatal and serious injury crashes. This is the fifth round of funding since the program’s inception in 2020.
Montgomery County received the following award:
Randolph Road Safety Improvement Project - Montgomery County, $100,000
This project will develop preliminary engineering designs of safety improvements proposed for Randolph Road, an arterial that has a history of serious injury and fatal crashes and is identified in the County's High Injury network. The corridor serves multiple Equity Emphasis Area communities, and the proposed improvements include corridor access management, strategic lane width reduction, improved pedestrian crossings, enhanced corridor access management, and ADA compliance for sidewalks, ramps, and crosswalks. Add link to their page/press release.
Visualize 2050 Public Comment Period Open Through Friday, Nov. 21
The Transportation Planning Board (TPB) welcomes public comment on the draft Visualize 2050 National Capital Region Transportation Plan, the draft FY 2026-2029 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), and the draft Air Quality Conformity Analysis Report on the draft plan and TIP. The comment period is open until Friday, Nov. 21.
Visualize 2050 highlights the region’s planned roadway, transit, bicycle & pedestrian investments to address transportation issues and achieve regional goals. Comments pertaining to specific projects in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia will be shared with the relevant lead agency.
Be a part of the region’s transportation future—comment now. Visit visualize2050 to comment, learn about the plan, watch the Visualize 2050 video, explore maps and project lists.
For information on MCDOT programs and services, visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, follow @MCDOTNow on X, Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook and subscribe to receive the latest MCDOT news by phone or email.
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