Go Montgomery! February 15, 2018

County Efforts to Eliminate Grosvenor Turnbacks May Be Successful According to the Washington Post In October 2017, County Executive Ike Leggett sent a letter to WMATA General Manager Paul Wiedefeld requesting that all Red Line Metrorail trains continue through to the Shady Grove Station instead of alternating trains turning back at the Grosvenor Station. The Montgomery County Council, members of the County’s delegationto the Maryland General Assembly and residents also testified in favor of eliminating the turnbacks. MCDOT to Hold Public Hearing on February 28 to Consider Creation of Purple Line Parking Impact Areas MCDOT wants public input on a proposal to create several new Residential Permit Parking Areas (RPPAs) in East Silver Spring in neighborhoods within 4,000 feet of Purple Line light rail stations.   *Public Hearing Notice.   *RPPA Frequently Asked Questions:    English and En Espanol.   *RPPA Guidelines Executive Regulation.   *Map of Proposed RPPA Areas. MCDOT to Hold Three US 29 BRT Open Houses in March Learn more about the Bus Rapid Transit system planned for US 29 at an open house. Attend one of the events on March 15, 20 or 21 in Silver Spring or White Oak. See details about the open houses.  Roadway Resurfacing Projects to Resume in March MCDOT’s Highway Services Division will resume paving projects next month, weather permitting. Paving projects will start in the Wyngate Neighborhood, Bethesda and Rosemary Hills, Silver Spring. Public Meeting Planned About Proposed Goldsboro Road Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvements MCDOT seeks public input on proposed improvements to one-mile of Goldsboro Road between MacArthur Boulevard and River Road. The public meeting will be held Thursday, March 8, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Walt Whitman High School Cafeteria, 7100 Whittier Boulevard, Bethesda. Read more. Ride On Bus Operator Oralee Jackson Received Kudos from a Satisfied Customer Ride On recently received an email about Oralee Jackson’s exceptional customer service. The passenger said that Jackson is “….an excellent driver. She is on time and keeps the bus warm for us….. She is always smiling and ready to do her job. I truly would like to give her ‘Kudos’ for her service to us. My commute is long in the morning, but I look forward to getting into her bus.” Update on the Wheaton Revitalization Project Excavation for the building foundation is complete. Demolition of the Regional Services Center Building has begun and is expected to take about six weeks to complete.  View construction on the site.   MCDOT and Connect-A-Ride Sponsoring Ride Smart Public Transit Travel Training on March 7 and 8 Ride Smart is a free, public transit, travel training workshop for those ages 50 and older. Learn how to comfortably travel on Ride On, Metro bus, Metrorail; get a Senior SmartTrip card; and more at the two-day workshop. Read more. Learn More About Transportation Options for Seniors and Disabled Adults from Connect-A-Ride The Jewish Council for the Aging's (JSA) Connect-A-Ride is a free information and referral service about transportation options for seniors and disabled adults in Montgomery County.  For more information call 301-738-3252 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or email ConnectARide@AccessJCA.org,  Older Driver Safety Education and Resources Montgomery County’s departments of Police and Health and Human Services have partnered with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration to educate the public about older driver safety. Read more. February 15, 2018 Go Montgomery is distributed by Montgomery County Government Department of Transportation.

Go Montgomery - February 14, 2017

Ride On to Hold Public Forums in March on Proposed Spring Service Changes The public is invited to provide input on proposed Ride On service changes for Clarksburg and mid-County that will begin in May. Comments may be made either in person at three public forums or in writing. Read more. M-NCPPC to Hold Public Meeting on Veirs Mill Corridor Master Plan, Wheaton to Rockville The Montgomery County Planning Department, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, is launching the Veirs Mill Corridor Master Plan at a public meeting to be held on Wednesday, February 22 from 7 to 9 p.m. Residents and stakeholders are invited to participate. Read more. Emergency Preparedness in Your Community The County's Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security will be making presentations at library branches throughout the County on preparing for disasters. Read more. Learn More About Transportation Options for Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities A handy transportation resources fact sheet provides information on options available for older adults and those with disabilities: View fact sheet. Participate in a Live, Online Discussion with County Executive Ike Leggett County Executive Ike Leggett will hold a live, online discussion on Tuesday, February 21, from 1 to 2 p.m. Residents are invited to submit questions in advance or during the chat or follow the discussion online.    February 14, 2017 Applicants Needed for: Greater Shady Grove Transportation Management District Advisory Committee Read more. Taxicab Services Commission Read more. Ride On to Participate in Seniors Workshop in Gaithersburg on February 21 The public is invited to attend a Seniors Workshop in Gaithersburg where MCDOT will provide information about transportation options for seniors and persons with disabilities. Read more. Ride On is Hiring Ride On is hiring bus operators with excellent communications skills and the ability to serve the riding public and fellow employees with honesty and integrity. Learn more or apply online.

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

Ride On to Participate in Seniors Workshop in Gaithersburg on February 21

The public is invited to attend a Seniors Workshop in Gaithersburg on Tuesday, February 21 hosted by Congressman John Delaney that will feature a panel discussion with representatives from Montgomery County Department of Transportation's (MCDOT) Ride On, the U.S. Social Security Administration, Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, Montgomery County Office of Aging and Disability Services and the Maryland Insurance Administration. MCDOT will provide information about transportation options for seniors and persons with disabilities. Read more and register online.

Emergency Preparedness in Your Community

The County's Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security will be making presentations at library branches throughout the County on preparing for disasters.  During the presentations, staff will discuss some of the major hazards that Montgomery County faces and some specific steps that residents can take to prepare, including developing a plan and creating an emergency kit.  The presentations are free but require registration. Register now. 

Learn More About Transportation Options for Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities

A handy transportation resources fact sheet provides information on options available for older adults and those with disabilities: View fact sheet.

Now Available: Updated Transportation Directory for People with Disabilities and Seniors

The County's Commission on People with Disabilities and the Department of Transportation recently released an updated directory of useful transportation services to help County residents better coordinate their transportation needs. The guide can be used by anyone, although its emphasis is on people with disabilities and adults 50 and older.

The guide provides a comprehensive listing of public, private and non-profit transportation options in the Washington metropolitan region and the state of Maryland and beyond that includes travel alternatives to airports, escorted transportation and information on reduced fees on Metro. 

The guide is available on the County’s Department of Health and Human Services website and in hard copy by downloading the PDF version.

Ceremony Honors Winners of the Keep Montgomery County Clean and Green Competitions

Ruppert Landscape Company won Award of Excellence for six landscaping projects
throughout Montgomery County. 

MCDOT, in partnership with the Department of Environmental Protection, announced 61 winners of its 30th annual Keep Montgomery County Clean and Green landscape beautification contest. Others honored were 18 amateur photographers and two Adopt A Road program Clean Sweep Award winners. Read more.

Reminder: Call-n-Ride Eligibility Age Has Been Reduced to 65

MCDOT’s Call-n-Ride program provides subsidized taxi trips for low-income persons with disabilities and seniors.  The eligibility age was recently reduced to those 65 and older. Learn more. 

Did You Miss Parking Day? Check Out the Photos on Fickr

On September 16, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) sponsored a celebration of International PARK(ing) Day by making selected public parking spaces available to businesses and non-profits, as well as government departments and agencies. 

Check out the creative transformation of County parking spaces into fun, parklike spots on Flickr.

Jewish Council on the Aging Wins National Award for Street Smart Tired Faces Senior Focused Pedestrian Safety Campaign; MCDOT a Partner

The Jewish Council on the Aging (JCA) received bronze level recognition for its Senior Focused Pedestrian Safety campaign from the National Mature Media Awards. The Montgomery County departments of Transportation, Health and Human Services and Public Information Office were partners in the campaign. Read more.

Starting September 3, Seniors Ride Free Program Expands to Saturdays

Ride On’s free ride program for seniors and persons with disabilities will be expanded to include Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. beginning Saturday, September 3. Currently, those with a Metro Senior SmarTrip card or a Metro Disability ID card can ride free on weekdays during the same hours. 

MC311 Extending Hours During SafeTrack

To help travelers during SafeTrack, MC311 will be open an additional two hours from August 1 through August 18. Phone representatives will be available from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday to assist commuters navigate the changes in Metro’s mass transit schedules. Reach MC311 from within the County by calling 3-1-1 or from outside the County, call 240-777-0311. The MC311 website, www.mc311.com, is always available to the public for online service requests. Or, use Twitter by sending a tweet to MC311 @311MC311.

New Respect the Space Campaign Focusing on Disability Parking Signs

Montgomery County’s continuing “Respect the Space” campaign has launched a new initiative to help ensure that the signage for disability parking spaces complies with legal standards.

All parking lot managers are encouraged to review the State of Maryland’s Accessibility Code, and then take the necessary steps to make their parking lot signs and striping compliant.

Montgomery County property managers, condominiums and homeowner’s associations can learn more about ADA parking compliance online.  Read more.

Follow These Tips for a Summer of Safety

Montgomery County has put together safety advice from A to Z to make sure everyone has a great summer! Check out the driver, pedestrian and cyclist tips – and lots more online.

Free Bikeshare Rides Available on July 16-17

Try Bikeshare for free all weekend on Saturday and Sunday, July 16 and 17 courtesy of REI and Capital Bikeshare, who have partnered to provide free, 24-hour memberships. Request your free ride code.

County Executive Summit on Aging Report Now Available

In December 2015, County Executive Ike Leggett held a second Summit on Aging to review the accomplishments and progress made on policies and programs since the first event was held in 2008.  A goal of the summits is to focus on efforts that allow seniors of all socioeconomic, ethnic, and diverse backgrounds to live and thrive in the County.

Work sessions at the Summit focused on topics of interest to seniors, including one on Transportation and Mobility attended by MCDOT Director Al Roshdieh and senior staff. At that session, participants identified key challenges, solutions, partnerships and priorities.

The transportation priorities identified were:

• Educate the public;
• Ensure a safe travel environment for seniors;
• Expand affordable options;
• Increase availability of accessible transportation;
• Consider safety of older drivers and those transitioning from driving; and
• Increase ride-sharing and other volunteer programs.

The Summit brought together more than 400 stakeholders from government, business, nonprofit,

advocacy, faith-based and healthcare organizations as well as County seniors. During the morning

session, attendees heard from the County Executive and co-chairs of the Subcabinet on Senior Vital Living.

See the full report online. The Transportation and Mobility section begins on page 39.

County Website Offers Information for Older Drivers

 

Montgomery County has a new website for older residents and their families that provides information about driving safely and alternate transportation options that are available to seniors who prefer to limit or stop driving.  Learn more at: Explore Older Driver Resources.