Montgomery County Residents Encouraged to Participate in Annual ‘Car-Free Day' to be Held on Friday, September 22; Register to Participate for Raffled Prizes

MCDOT encourages Montgomery County residents to participate in Car Free Day, a worldwide event that encourages traveling in ways that are greener than driving alone, such as walking, riding a bicycle, rail, bus, in a carpool or teleworking. Using more sustainable ways to get around helps reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions and traffic congestion. The more people that travel using alternative modes, the fewer greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere.

MCDOT will provide a “fare-free day” on Ride On buses. The action is coordinated with the Maryland Transit Administration who is offering free rides on Local Bus, Light Rail, Metro Subway, MARC, Commuter Bus and Mobility service starting Friday, Sept. 22, through Sunday, Sept. 24. 

Residents are invited to take the pledge to participate in Car Free Day by going car-free or car-lite on Friday, Sept. 22. Each entry will be entered into a raffle for some great prizes. Duplicate entries will be disqualified. Participants can take the pledge online here.

MCDOT’s Commuter Services team will be at the following locations with free giveaways and pledge cards that can be filled out to enter in a raffle drawing for gift cards, Capital Bikeshare annual membership or a $200 Smart Trip card:

• Bethesda Metro Station. 6:30 - 8:30 a.m.
• Friendship Heights Shops at Wisconsin Place. 6:30 - 8:30 a.m.
• Germantown Transit Center. 6:30 - 8:30 a.m.
• Shady Grove Metro Station. 6:30 - 8:30 a.m.
• Silver Spring Metro Station. 6:30 - 8:30 a.m.
• Twinbrook Metro Station. 6:30 - 8:30 a.m.
• Wheaton Marian Fryer Plaza. 6:30 am to 8:30 am
• White Oak Transit Center. 6:30 - 8:30 a.m.
• Lake Forest Transit Center. 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Wheaton Marian Fryer Plaza at the Hispanic Heritage Festival. 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Residents and employees working in the County who do not have a bike available can use the Capitol Bikeshare system. Thousands of pedal bikes and e-bikes are provided throughout the region, including Montgomery County. Check out a bike and return it to any bikeshare station near your destination. Single trip, daily and yearly memberships are available. The first 30 minutes of each trip is free. Visit the Bikeshare location map here. 

Many shared e-scooters are also available in higher activity areas of the County for use by those taking short trips or to get to and from transit.  Visit: montgomerycountymd.gov/commute and click on Bike and Scooter Sharing for more information.

Participants can take the pledge at carfreemetrodc.org/the-car-free-pledge. 

CARFREEMETRODC.ORG

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.

Go Montgomery! July 26, 2019

State Agrees to Evaluate Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties Alternative for I270/I495 Traffic Relief Plan That Includes Multimodal Options Montgomery and Prince George’s counties have successfully advocated for evaluation of a more complete and environmentally sensitive approach to the State’s plans for easing congestion on I-270 and I-495. The new alternative to be studied includes managed lanes, reversible lanes, active traffic management techniques, spot improvements, expansion of park & ride facilities and dedicates some toll revenues to already planned transit projects. Read more. WMATA Board Votes to Make Permanent the Elimination of Grosvenor Turnbacks   The December 17, 2018 elimination of Metrorail turnbacks at Grosvenor is now permanent thanks to a vote of the WMATA Board on July 25. The elimination increased ridership, significantly reduced train overcrowding, reduced wait times, improved station circulation, did not adversely impact Red Line on-time performance, improved service for customers at White Flint and stations north and did not cause issues with train spacing or operations.  Read more. MCDOT Parking Featured in July’s IPMI Magazine The July issue of International Parking & Mobility Institute Magazine highlights MCDOT’s use of thoughtful parking management techniques in the administration of the Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton parking lot districts. Read the full article. Ride On Flex Recently Featured in Mobility Lab News Ride On Flex, the new on-demand public transit service operating in the Rockville and Glenmont/Wheaton areas, was the subject of a story about microtransit. Read the full story.    Silver Spring VanGo Circulator Gets a Starry New Look Beginning July 24, the free, hop-on, hop-off, downtown shuttle began sporting an eye-catching design based on Van Gogh’s Starry Night painting. The special look gives the MCDOT Transit-operated VanGo its own unique look. Learn more about the VanGo service. Long-term Colesville Road Lane Closures Begin Tonight As work on the Purple Line ramps up at the Silver Spring Transit Center, the right lane of southbound Colesville Road will be closed between 2nd Avenue and East-West Highway. See the Purple Line construction updates, or sign up to receive them by text or email. Temporary Traffic Changes Expected on Rockville Pike July 26 to August 4 As part of the project to construct a pedestrian underpass under MD 355 at the Medical Center Metro Station, traffic changes are planned at Woodmont Avenue and Rockville Pike. Read more. New Parking Rates in Two Bethesda Garages Take Effect in Mid-August MCDOT will modify parking rates of the Waverly Garage (Garage 47) and the Metropolitan Garage (Garage 49) on or about August 19.  These new rates will optimize occupancy and meet the customer service goals and transportation trends within the Bethesda Parking Lot District. Learn more. Update on Wheaton Revitalization The MCDOT-managed project to build a new Wheaton Town Square, office building and parking garage remains on schedule for May 30, 2020 and is currently 68% complete. View the most current newsletter and see the live onsite camera online. July 26, 2019 Update on Residential Roadway Resurfacing and Paving Projects Drew's Court Garrett Forest Subdivision Plantations Subdivision Rosemary Hills Phase II Sligo Creek Parkway Woodmoor-Indian Springs Update on Residential Concrete Projects Lakewood Estates Phase I MCDOT to Host Free e-Scooter Training in Silver Spring and Bethesda Ever wanted to try an e-scooter? If so, take a free spin on Saturday, July 27 in Silver Spring from 10 a.m. to noon or Bethesda from 1 to 3 p.m.  Learn safety tips and basic scooter laws, too. Participants must be 18 or older and have a valid driver’s license. Read more. Montgomery County Agriculture Fair Keep your eyes out for banners on Ride On buses promoting this year's Agriculture Fair August 9 - 17. Ride Rides, play games, visit animals, craft exhibits, food and entertainment. Be sure to visit Ride On's booth for information on services and giveaways. Learn more at mcagfair.com.

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

Go Montgomery! March 22, 2019

Free WiFi Now Available on All Ride On Buses No login required! On any Ride On bus, riders can simply check available networks and connect to GetOnTheBus for free WiFi during their ride. Learn more. MDOT SHA To Hold Six Public Workshops on Alternatives for the I-495 & I-270 Managed Lanes Study in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) will hold its next round of public workshops in April to obtain additional public input on possible improvements along two of the state’s most congested highways. Three sessions will be held in Montgomery County on April 13, 24 and 25. Learn more. County Council, Executive Challenge State on I-270 and Beltway Widening Priorities  (from Bethesda Beat, March 3, 2019) Montgomery County leaders are pressing the state to shift priorities for widening Interstate 270 and the Capital Beltway to place more emphasis on easing congestion between Bethesda and Frederick on I-270. Read more. Elrich's County Budget Includes Funding for FLASH Service and 10 New Electric Ride On Buses in FY20.  In unveiling his Recommended Fiscal Year 2020 Operating Budget, County Executive Marc Elrich signaled strong support for key transportation initiatives that will deliver easier—and greener—commutes for many Montgomery County residents. Learn more.  Capital Bikeshare to Begin Providing 500 Electric Bikes Across the D.C. Area Over the next few weeks, Capital Bikeshare will be adding 500 e-bikes to its fleet throughout the region. About 65 of those e-bikes are expected to be available in Montgomery County, mainly around Metro stations. Read more. Metro Board of Directors’ Finance and Capital Committee Voted to End ‘Silver Spring Turnback’ of Red Line Trains; Final Action Expected March 28 Currently, half of all trains on the eastern portion of the Red Line turn around at Silver Spring and head back to the District of Columbia rather than going all the way to Glenmont, posing a significant inconvenience to Montgomery County riders. County officials had advocated for elimination of the Silver Spring turnbacks after the recent approval to end the Grosvenor turnbacks. Read more. It’s Not Too Early to Register for Bike to Work Day MCDOT’s Commuter Services will be sponsoring six of the County’s pit stops on Bike to Work Day, Friday, May 17. The annual regional event celebrates bicycling as a clean, fun and healthy way to get to work. Be one of the first 20,000 to register and attend this free event to receive a free T-shirt, refreshments, and be entered into a raffle for a new bicycle. Learn more and register online.  MCDOT Continues Construction on Phase 1 of White Flint Project The White Flint project will improve sidewalks and bikeways, and enhance the streetscape and transit-oriented development around the Metro station. Phase 1 construction is coming to a close. Learn more. Construction Continues on US 29 FLASH Construction on US 29 FLASH began this week at Burtonsville Park and Ride, where several parking spaces are unavailable as demolition commences for a new bus platform. Work continues at the Briggs Chaney Park & Ride lot, Tech Road North and Southbound, and April Lane stations. Visit www.flashbrt.com/us29/ to learn more. MCDOT to Hold Public Hearing on Sidewalk Project Planned for Bethesda  MCDOT invites residents to attend a public hearing on Wednesday, April 24 to provide comments concerning construction of a sidewalk in the Stratton Woods Community for safer travel to schools and nearby facilities. Read more. Temporary Closure of Rock Creek Trail for Bridge Demolition Beginning on or about March 26th, a segment of the Rock Creek Park Trail will be closed for two weeks to safely demolish the Rock Creek Bridge. Learn more. Celebrate Opening Day for Trails on Saturday, April 13 with the Coalition for the Capital Crescent Trail (CCCT)   To help promote safety on the trail, CCCT board members will be at the River Road overpass area (now known as "Neal Potter Plaza") on Saturday, April 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., to install free bike bells for those with a bike and hand out whistles for walkers. This event will take place along the Capital Crescent Trail where it intersects with the Washington Episcopal School parking lot on Landy Lane, just off River Road. Read More. Celebrate National Walking Day on April 3 Need an excuse to get walking? Join people across the country and get moving on National Walking Day, sponsored by The American Heart Association. Get health benefits while reconnecting with family and friends. Learn more. March 22, 2019 Update on Residential Road Repairs MCDOT’s Highway Services is busily completing road repair projects for the following areas: Metz Drive Subdivision, Germantown Grist Mill Subdivision, Rockville Musgrove Road, Silver Spring Wilson Lane, Bethesda Bedfordshire Subdivision, Potomac Merrimac Park Subdivision, Bethesda Drews Court, Potomac Bel Pre Woods, Rockville Sunnymeade Subdivision, Brookeville Southlawn Lane and East Gude Drive, Rockville  Participate in MCDOT's “Give and Ride” April 28 - May 4 and Help Feed the Area’s Neediest Families Ride On bus passengers can help needy families and ride free by donating canned or nonperishable food during our 32nd annual “Give and Ride” food drive. Donations go to Manna Food Center. Don’t take Ride On? You can still donate. Read more.  Bike-2 College Day is April 10th MCDOT’s Commuter Services, Montgomery College and The Universities at Shady Grove have teamed up to host this event to encourage biking to and around college campuses. Students, faculty and staff can participate in raffles and collect giveaways from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Montgomery College Rockville, Germantown and Takoma Park campuses, and at the Universities at Shady Grove. Learn more. Plan to Visit MCDOT’s Booth at GreenFest on Sunday, April 28 MCDOT’s green initiatives will be highlighted at this year’s GreenFest, the County's premiere environmental festival. The free event will feature fun activities for the whole family, including  tree-climbing, music and exhibitors. Learn more. Update on the Wheaton Revitalization Project Installation of electrical equipment, block masonry, door frames and sprinklers continues on Garage Levels P3, P2, P1, and P0. For the office building, concrete pours are complete on six of the seven floors. Rough-in of mechanicals and piping are underway on the first and second floors. Rough grading is complete and underground storm drain installation has begun for the Town Center. Follow project progress via the onsite camera. wheatonproject.com

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