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! Transportation Newsletter - August 4, 2022

Montgomery County Ride On Bus Resumed Fare Collection on Monday, Aug. 1, with New Rate Set at $1 After 28 months of temporarily suspending fare collection due to the COVID-19 health crisis, MCDOT’s Ride On bus system has resumed fare collection on all services, including Ride On, Ride On extRa, Flex, and Flash. The new fare is set at $1. The one-way pre-pandemic fare was $2 per ride and monthly passes, which were $45 per rider prior to the health crisis, are now $22.50.  County bus fares remain free for seniors (age 65 and older), persons with disabilities and youth under 19 (older if still in high school). Specialized SmartTrip cards are needed and can be obtained through the MCDOT Mobile Commuter Store, Silver Spring TRiPS Commuter Store, any County library or the Montgomery County Division of Treasury in Rockville. Students can also obtain their specialized ‘Youth Cruiser’ card through their school. For riders transferring from a Metrobus, the Ride On fare will be free. The cost is $1 for riders transferring from Metrorail to Ride On. Ride On passengers transferring to a Metrobus will have to pay the $1 difference in fare.  The new rates were recommended in a “Fare Equity Study” conducted by MCDOT that recommends the balance of benefits and costs, with benefits primarily accruing to the populations the County is hoping to support.  To decrease boarding time and reduce long lines, riders are encouraged to use SmarTrip cards or the SmarTrip mobile app (available for Apple and Android). Riders without pre-paid fares are asked to have the exact fare readily accessible. REMINDER: SmarTrip Cards Issued Before 2012 Are Due for Replacement WMATA has installed new faregates at rail stations and upgraded fareboxes on buses. As a result, SmarTrip cards purchased before 2012 will no longer work. If the serial number on the back of your card does not include “0167” it needs to be replaced. For step-by-step instructions on how to replace old cards or transfer balances including Smart Benefits, visit the SmarTrip Card Replacement webpage here. Customers can transfer their balance from a virtual card here. Montgomery County ‘FareShare’ Program Can Help Commuters with Monthly Travel Expenses If They Use Public Transit or Vanpools Commuters working in Montgomery County can get reimbursed up to $280 a month for using public transit, or vanpooling, by asking their employers to set up a transportation benefits program. MCDOT’s “FareShare” program offers reimbursements to local businesses for their employees’ costs for commuting to work by public transit—and the money is tax-free. In addition to vanpools, the program could cover expenses incurred by commuters using Ride On bus, Metrobus, Metrorail or MARC train to commute to and from a workplace within Montgomery County. Businesses looking to implement or expand a transportation benefit program must commit to covering the first $25 per month of travel costs for employees who use buses or vanpools. The County will cover expenses over the initial $25, up to $280 a month. The full subsidy could be as high as $3,360 per year, per employee. It is tax-free for both the employee and the employer. Learn more here. New Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons Hawk beacon was recently installed on Willard Avenue in Chevy Chase. Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons, sometimes called HAWK (High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk) signals, are designed to help pedestrians safely cross busy streets. The beacon remains dark until a pedestrian presses the signal's push button and activates the signal. For the pedestrian, this signal works like other pedestrian-activated push-button traffic signals in the County, by stopping traffic with a red signal, allowing pedestrians to cross with a WALK signal. For motorists, the button activates a flashing yellow signal to alert approaching drivers that a pedestrian is present and that they should be prepared to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk. The light then turns to a solid yellow and then red light. Drivers are expected to come to a complete stop on red and may proceed when the light goes dark, and the pedestrian has safely moved safely out of the crosswalk. Montgomery County has installed several of these beacons in high-traffic areas. MCDOT has been conducting community outreach near these pedestrian beacons to promote their use and educate both drivers and pedestrians on how to use them. Check out some photos of our recent outreach at the following new HAWK locations:  Tuckerman Lane in North Bethesda Democracy Boulevard & Davis Library in Bethesda Summit & Brookfield in Kensington Tonight, Thursday, Aug. 4, between 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. the outreach team will be by the Shops at Wisconsin Place promoting the new pedestrian Hybrid Beacon that was installed at Willard Avenue and Hills Plaza in Chevy Chase. The MCDOT team has plans to visit additional communities over the next few months. Check out the Pedestrian Safety website for updates, here.  Public Invited to Virtual Hearing on the Boyds Transit Center on Tuesday, Aug. 16 Starting at 7 p.m., MCDOT will discuss the 70% design plans for the Transit Center and the public will have an opportunity to provide feedback.  The Boyds Transit Center project will provide a new bus loop and parking lot on the former Anderson property at the Boyds MARC station. This project will address the increased demand for commuter parking at the Boyds MARC station and future Ride On service expansion from Clarksburg to the MARC station. Online registration is required to attend. Learn more here. Proposed Transit Network to Support the Great Seneca Science Corridor and Surrounding Areas The Great Seneca Transit Network project will advance the planning, design, and implementation of a new bus network to support the Great Seneca Science Corridor and surrounding areas.  The network would include 11 stations, dedicated bus lanes and bike lanes, transit signal priority at seven intersections, and new bike and pedestrian connections. The plan is for hubs at the Shady Grove Metrorail Station, the Universities at Shady Grove, and Adventist Shady Grove Hospital. This bus network will provide frequent and reliable connections between Kentlands, Crown Farm, King Farm, the Universities at Shady Grove, Adventist Shady Grove Hospital, Shady Grove Metro, Rockville, and other key destinations in support of the Great Seneca Science Corridor Master Plan. The service, which will be branded as Ride On extRa, is slated to start in 2024.  Council Asks Residents to Complete Survey on Thrive 2050 Plan Related to Racial Equity and Social Justice The County Council is asking for residents to participate in a survey that will help guide councilmembers in evaluating the racial equity and social justice portions of Thrive Montgomery 2050 draft plan, according to a press release.  Suggestions from the survey will be incorporated into a chapter of the plan dedicated to those topics. There is also an invitation in the survey to sign up for in-person focus groups. The work behind the plan is expected to start this September. Learn more here. Diary of a Pandemic Bus Driver Amid unmasked riders and simmering tensions, a San Francisco bus operator recounts the personal toll of rolling through the Covid-19 crisis. Read the Bloomberg article here. METRO NEWS Rockville Metro Station East Side Closure – Temporary Bus Stop Relocations – Extended Through Early October The ongoing Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Administration (WMATA) construction and paving work at the Rockville Metrorail station has been extended through at least early October 2022. All bus stops on the East Side will remain closed and temporarily relocated due to this project, which began on Tuesday, June 7. Bus stops have been moved from the east side to either the west side or on the street at MD 355. Wayfinding signs have been placed at the Metro station to help riders locate their bus stops. Learn more here. Red Line Metro Trains Single-Tracking Until Thursday, Aug. 4 Red Line metro trains are single-tracking between the Silver Spring and Forest Glen metro stations after 10 p.m. each night this week for preventive maintenance. Learn more here. Shorter Waits Have Started on Blue, Orange and Silver Metro Lines   Welcome news for customers who ride the Blue, Orange and Silver Metro lines. Trains are arriving every 15 minutes on weekdays, matching service on the Green and Yellow lines.  The increased availability of railcars will allow Metro to continue running additional trains as needed to reduce crowding and keep trains on standby throughout the system in the event a train is taken out of service due to unexpected maintenance issues. Learn more here. UPDATE ON CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS Long-term Lane Closure on Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda On or about Thursday, Aug. 25, Purple Line crews will institute a long-term lane closure of the southbound right lane of Wisconsin Avenue at Elm Street to allow vehicles to access the Purple Line Bethesda station work zone. The closure will remain in place until the completion of the station work. For details about this work and other planned construction in Chevy Chase, Lyttonsville and Silver Spring click here. MDOT SHA Making Safety Improvements at US 29 Locations in Montgomery County  Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) State Highway Administration (SHA) is currently working on several projects to improve safety and mobility at key intersections along US 29 in Montgomery County over the next several months. Work on these projects will take place between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays. Learn more here. Biden Administration Announces New PROTECT Formula Program to Help Communities Build Resilient Infrastructure In an ongoing effort to combat the effects of climate change and address the growing costs of extreme weather events negatively impacting communities, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced in a press release the new guidance and $7.3 billion in formula funding to help states and communities better prepare for and respond to extreme weather events like wildfires, flooding, and extreme heat. Light Rail and Complementary Development Have Broad Effects on Travel Behavior The goal of investing substantially in public transportation infrastructure and complementary transit-oriented development (TOD) is to create positive outcomes for communities, including reducing carbon emissions, increasing access to jobs, and reducing reliance on personal vehicles. Two new studies highlight additional impacts of these investments: transit infrastructure leading to increased levels of physical activity and TOD residents forgoing driving for non-commute trips. In one study, researchers reviewed past studies to identify the link between light rail transit (LRT) and physical activity. They found a positive correlation between the presence of LRT and walking, with LRT spurring an increase in walking in seven out of eight studies. With increases ranging from 7 to 40 percent, LRT can be a catalyst for walkable, sustainable neighborhoods. Read the SSTI.us article here. For more information on MCDOT programs and services visit  montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot and subscribe to receive MCDOT news to your email inbox or mobile phone. Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022 MCDOT is in the Process of Combining Social Media Accounts  Follow us @MCDOTNow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Watch this video on Ride On’s fare return at the new $1 rate. Visit MCDOT at the Montgomery County  Agriculture Fair, Aug. 12 - 20 MCDOT will be onsite every day between 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Be sure to stop by and meet Ride On bus operators who will be available to answer questions, distribute route information, maps and learn about Ride On Flex, Flash and extRa bus service. The pedestrian safety team will also be distributing safety educational materials and reflective gear. For information on the fair visit mcagfair.com.  New Ride On User Guide Now Available The new user guide is a great resource for transit users and includes trip planning resources, rider and safety tips, SmarTrip card information and includes a list of transit pricing in Montgomery County. Get Ready for Back to School and Sign Up for the Safe Routes to School Newsletter Summer is still in full swing, but school will be starting up again soon. Safe Routes to School is a nationwide program that aims to improve safety for students who walk and bike to school. Take a minute and sign up for the newsletter here and learn more about promoting safety, traffic rules and encouraging students to participate in the program. MCDOT Installs Two New Dynamic Speed Signals on Piney Meetinghouse Road in Potomac Last week, MCDOT installed new "dynamic speed signs" (DSS) that inform drivers of their actual real-time speed on Piney Meetinghouse 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. Several other sections of County roads will have DSS signals installed this year. MCDOT Participated in National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 2 MCDOT joined the Montgomery County Police Department, along with local first responders, community organizations, and local businesses for Annual National Night Out.  The Flash outreach team was at the White Oak Garden Apartments in Silver Spring. The Pedestrian Safety team and Mobile Commuter Store were at the Kentlands in Gaithersburg. View photos from the event here. Participate in Community Heat Mapping Campaign On Sunday, Aug. 7 learn about how to stay cool during extreme heat resilience in Montgomery County here. Slow Down and Obey the Speed Limit According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), local roads are more dangerous than highways for speeders.  In 2020, there were 11,258 people killed in speeding-related crashes, accounting for 29% of all fatal crashes in the United States. Learn more here. Amtrak Trains Moving at Slower Speeds Due to High Temperatures As temperatures remain high across the country, rail lines exposed to the constant heat can expand and pose a risk to trains that travel across them at high speeds. To keep riders and employees safe, Amtrak imposes heat restrictions that require conductors to slow down. Read the WRIC-TV article here. Ride-Hailing is Becoming More Electrified, Despite the Barriers An increasing number of Uber and Lyft trips in the United States, Canada and other countries are happening in a zero-emission car, as ride-hailing platforms push for electric vehicle adoption. Read the GovTech article here. Registration is Open for the Makeover Montgomery 5 Conference  This 3-day conference runs from Saturday, Sept. 22 through Monday, Sept. 24 in Wheaton and will focus on all aspects of planning for resilience in the areas of the economy, neighborhoods, infrastructure and the environment. The Montgomery Planning Department is seeking regional ideas to help Montgomery County and other municipalities thrive. Learn more here. Call 311 to Get it Done It's storm season. If you come across debris blocking the road or the sidewalk or street light outages contact MC311 Customer Service Center by calling 311 in the County or 240-777-0311, 711 for MD Relay TTY, from anywhere, Monday - Friday 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. or follow on Twitter @311MC311. Go Montgomery is distributed by the Montgomery County Government Department of Transportation.

MCDOT's Go Montgomery! Transportation Newsletter Now Available - July 7, 2022

Montgomery County Resuming Ride On Bus Fare on Aug. 1; Fare Will Be Reduced to $1 After 28 months of temporarily suspending fare collection due to the COVID-19 health crisis, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation's (MCDOTs) Ride On bus system will resume fare collection on Monday, Aug. 1 on all services, including Ride On, Ride On extRa, Flex, and Flash. Fares will continue to be free throughout July. The new fare will be set at $1. The one-way pre-pandemic fare was $2 per ride. Monthly passes, which were $45 per rider prior to the health crisis, will be $22.50 starting Aug. 1. The new fares were supported by County Executive Marc Elrich and approved by the County Council in May.   County bus fares will be free for seniors (age 65 and older), persons with disabilities and youth under 19 (older if still in high school). Specialized SmartTrip cards are needed and can be obtained through the MCDOT Mobile Commuter Store, Silver Spring TRiPS Commuter Store, any County library or the Montgomery County Division of Treasury in Rockville. Students can also obtain their specialized ‘Youth Cruiser’ card through their school. Learn more here. Ride On and Metro Bus Routes Available to Take Residents to Montgomery County’s 14 Early Voting Centers During Primary Election Early voting in Montgomery County for the 2022  Gubernatorial Primary Election will be available at 14 early voting centers from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Thursday, July 7, through Thursday, July 14, including Saturday and Sunday. MCDOT’s Ride On bus service has several routes available to transport voters to the early voting centers located throughout the County. For bus routes and to learn more click here. Ride On bus fare remains free through the end of July.  Montgomery County Showcases Its New High-Tech Flood Sensor Program That Can Provide Earlier Alerts to Residents About Potential Flooding Montgomery County showcased its expanded early warning Flood Sensor Program that can alert residents sooner about flooded roadways, potential dam failures and streams overflowing their banks. Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and MCDOT Director Chris Conklin were among those at a demonstration of one of the 35 high-tech sensors in Germantown last month. The U.S Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate is providing the County with the sensors.  The sensors detect rising water levels and provide early warnings about high water or flooding. They are being installed at flood prone sites across the County. Learn more here. New Ride On Bus Route 27 Service to Adventist Healthcare White Oak Medical Center to Begin Sunday, July 17 Beginning Sunday, July 17, the MCDOT will be launching the new Ride On Bus Route 27 to serve Adventist Healthcare White Oak Medical Center and the surrounding Silver Spring area. This new service comes after a public hearing held on Thursday, June 2 which allowed MCDOT to receive input and feedback about the new service, in order to provide the best opportunity for implementing a successful service. The new route will operate between Hillandale Transit Center and the Tech Road Park and Ride lot with stops along Powder Mill Road, Cherry Hill Road, Plum Orchard Drive, Broadbirch Drive, and Tech Road. The route will have connections with Metrobus, Ride On, and Flash bus routes, as well as other transportation services within the network.  MCDOT Seeks Public Feedback on Amherst Avenue Bikeway Project in Wheaton by Thursday, July 21 The Amherst Avenue Bikeway project is identified in the Bicycle Master Plan as one of the highest priority bikeways in the Wheaton Central Business District (CBD) in Montgomery County. Located just a block from and parallel to Georgia Avenue (MD 97), the Amherst Avenue Bikeway Project would substantially improve the bicyclist’s safety and connectivity for people of all ages and bicycling abilities biking to and through the Wheaton CBD by installing an on-road bikeway. On Tuesday, June 28, MCDOT hosted a virtual public meeting to present the current design, the 2-way cycle track, stormwater management concepts, as well as other intersection improvements. A recording of the meeting and the presentation are posted on the project website under the "Project Document" tab. Public input is key to the success of a capital improvement project as it helps us to better understand the needs and concerns of the community. The public has until Thursday, July 21 to provide input through this online form. Montgomery County's Ride On Flex - Celebrates Three Years of Convenience, Reliability and Ease of Use MCDOT’s Ride On Flex on-demand transit service is celebrating three years of helping riders get around Rockville and Glenmont/Wheaton. The simple and convenient bus service is hailed for its ease of use and reliability. Read the WTOP article here. Public Invited to Virtual and In-Person Visioning Workshops July 6, 14 ,19 and 22 to Share Ideas and Feedback for the Future of the Fairland and Briggs Chaney Area Each Visioning Workshop will include a presentation of the equitable engagement efforts to date, followed by a discussion on the community’s vision. The feedback and ideas collected during the Visioning Workshops will inform Montgomery Planning’s preliminary recommendations for the master plan. Online registration is required to attend each event. METRO UPDATES UPDATE: Rockville Metro Station East Side Closure – Temporary Bus Stop Relocations – Extended Through Early October The ongoing Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Administration (WMATA) construction and paving work at the Rockville Metrorail station has been extended through at least early October 2022. All bus stops on the East Side will remain closed and temporarily relocated due to this project, which began on Tuesday, June 7. Bus stops have been moved from the east side to either the west side or on the street at MD 355. Wayfinding signs have been placed at the Metro station to help riders locate their bus stops.  Ride On staff will be onsite at the station, for rider assistance. Learn more here. Lower-Priced Unlimited Metrorail and Metrobus Passes Now On Sale Metro announced lower-priced, unlimited Metrorail and Metrobus monthly passes on July 1. The passes provide more flexibility and value to customers who no longer commute five days a week. In addition, all customers traveling on Metrorail after 9:30 p.m. on weekdays will pay a flat fare of $2 per one-way trip. Learn more here. ROAD CLOSURES A Portion of Montgomery Avenue to close for Avocet Towers Investors, LLC Building Project at 7373 Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda From 5 a.m., Saturday, July 9 through 9 p.m. Friday, July 15 one lane will be closed on Montgomery Avenue between Wisconsin Avenue and Waverly Street for paving work. For questions contact Traffic Engineering Services Project Coordinator Lauren LeVardi at 443-531-8228. Traffic Pattern Changes on a Portion of Massachusetts Avenue (MD 396) in Bethesda There are vehicle and pedestrian traffic pattern changes on southbound Massachusetts Avenue (MD 396) at Little Falls Parkway in Bethesda. The traffic pattern change was requested by MCDOT as part of a long-term closure of Ridgefield Road for a realignment project. Weather and progress permitting, Ridgefield Road should reopen by year-end 2023. The work performed during the traffic change and road closure is part of the nearby Westbard development project. During the Ridgefield Road closure, Ride On busses traveling southbound on Massachusetts Avenue will be permitted to make a left turn onto Little Falls Parkway during morning and afternoon peak traffic hours. No other vehicles are permitted to make this left turn movement. For questions on this work contact Eric Davidson, Senior Manager at 904-598-7829 or EricDavidson@regencycenters.com. Washington Gas Closes a Portion of River Road (MD 190) in Bethesda From 7 a.m. Monday to 7 p.m. Saturday there will be lane shifts with two-way traffic on River Road (MD 190) between Fenway Drive and Bradley Boulevard for the next 3-5 weeks for a gas valve project. For questions call 703-750-5222 or email community@washgas.com and reference project number S14V5-2022-REP. State Road Projects in Montgomery County View a list of upcoming lane closures and planned construction in Montgomery County here. Transportation Research Board Details Efforts to Make National Travel More ADA Accessible As part of a running series on equity, the National Academies’ Transportation Research Board (TRB) recently laid out in detail the resources aiding transportation accessibility in the U.S. for people with disabilities – an area governed and aided by the federal American with Disabilities Act. Read the Transportation Today article here. Map: Pedestrian Fatalities in the U.S. Reach Four-Decade High; See Which States Had the Most Pedestrian deaths in the U.S. reached a count not seen in 40 years. An estimated 7,485 pedestrians were killed in 2021, up 12 percent from the 6,711 deaths reported in 2020, according to a report from the Governors Highway Safety Association, a nonprofit organization that tracks those figures. Fatalities increased in all but 13 states, including California, Maryland and Missouri, from 2020 to 2021. According to a GHSA analysis, states in the Southwest and South have the most deaths when adjusted for population. Read the NBC News article here. For more information on MCDOT programs and services visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot and subscribe to receive MCDOT news to your email inbox or mobile phone. Thursday, July 7, 2022 MCDOT is in the Process of Combining Social Media Accounts  Follow us @MCDOTNow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. MCDOT is Hiring  Search online for job postings here.  Adult Bike Classes Were a Success MCDOT sponsored five adult bike classes for the spring 2022 season and all sessions were sold out with 140 registrants. Most attendees were able to ride a bike by the end of the class. These classes offer residents an affordable way to include biking as another form of transportation. There will be more adult bike classes available for the fall 2022 season. Look out for registration information this August. MCDOT Director Chris Conklin and County Executive Visit Brookville Solar Project Site Montgomery County is building infrastructure to meet the County’s goal of a zero-emissions bus fleet by 2035. Watch online here. Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) Hosts "Get Out the Vote" Bike Ride in Silver Spring, Saturday, July 9 Riders will meet at the Long Branch Community Center located at 8700 Piney Branch Road in Silver Spring at 9:30 a.m. for a 2.5 mile bike ride to the Silver Spring Civic Center. There will be a raffle for a $25 gift card. Register for this free event here. Construction Impacts Ride On Bus Route 34 Stop at Wheaton Metro Station Through Wednesday, August 3 Construction and rehabilitation of the parking garage at the Wheaton Metro Station bus loop will impact Ride On Route 34 through Wednesday, August 3. The Route 34 stop will relocate from Bay F to Bay P during this time. Metrobus lines C, Q, and Y will use temporary bays T1, T2, & T3 on southbound Georgia Avenue. View a map of the bus loop here. ICC Users Have Until November to Pay Video Tolls Without Penalty The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) owns, operates and maintains the ICC/MD 200 (Intercounty Connector) in Montgomery County and encourages customers to take advantage of the Customer Assistance Plan that offers a civil penalty waiver grace period, letting customers pay unpaid Video Tolls incrementally overtime, paying in full by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, November 30. In addition, toll bill referrals to the Central Collection Unit (CCU) and MDOT Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA) are ceased until Thursday, December 1. For more information visit driveezmd.com. Flash Bus Rapid Transit is Coming to More Routes in the County Flash currently operates on Colesville Rd/Columbia Pike (US 29) from Silver Spring Transit Center to Briggs Chaney and Burtonsville with stops along the way. It runs every 15 minutes all day and more frequently during rush hour. The new routes include: MD 355 New Hampshire Avenue North Bethesda Veirs Mill Road Share Your Feedback on New Hampshire Avenue with MCDOT’s Bus Rapid Transit Study Team Do you live in Takoma Park, Hillandale, or White Oak? We need your help to improve bus service on New Hampshire Avenue. Share your experiences walking, driving, biking and taking public transportation to help MCDOT develop a new fast, frequent and high-capacity bus service. Submit your feedback here. The League of American Bicyclists is Offering Grants on Bike-Related Projects The League of American Bicyclists will award 10 communities with grants of up to $1,500 to spark more ways to get people moving on bikes. Community Spark Grants are meant to be a catalyst for bike-related projects. The deadline to apply is Friday, July 15. Do You Own an (EV) Electric Vehicle?  Bloomberg Green wants to learn about your experience with EVs. Take their brief online survey here. June 2022 Transportation Planning Board Meeting Recap: Plan Update, New Climate Goals Approved Learn more here. Call 311 to Get it Done To report down trees, sidewalk or curb damage, streetlight outages, potholes, 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.