The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is rolling out its Flash Lights holiday buses again this December, with five decorated Flash Bus Rapid Transit vehicles operating along the US 29 corridor.
The lighted buses, which debuted at the Silver Spring Thanksgiving Parade, will run throughout the season, and MCDOT is inviting residents to share photos on social media for a chance to win a gift card.
Per the news release: “The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is bringing back its popular Flash Lights holiday buses. Residents can catch a 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 framing the bus and windows, and a neon sign reading “Happy Holidays” along the side.
“Our Flash Lights buses, now in its fifth year, help brighten up this festive time of the year,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “They bring a lot of holiday cheer to our residents and create a sense of excitement around public transportation. The Flash buses on US 29 are the first Flash BRT corridor in a planned network of upgraded transit the County is building. I know our residents look forward to catching a ride on a decorated Flash bus as they shop, dine or celebrate the season.”
The Flash Lights holiday buses debuted at the Silver Spring Thanksgiving parade on Saturday, Nov. 22 with a Flash bus decorated in a snowman theme featuring snow showers. The lighted buses will begin circulating on the US 29 route in late November.
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 $35 Amazon gift card in a weekly, random draw. The contest will run from Monday, Dec. 1 until Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.
“We know residents, especially children, look forward to catching a ride on a decorated Flash bus each year,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “All Ride On buses, including the Flash BRT buses, are currently zero-fare, so we encourage anyone who has not yet tried Flash to take advantage of the holiday buses to do so.”
MCDOT is working to implement Flash BRT service along eight routes across the County to implement faster, high-frequency bus service and improve pedestrian and bicycle safety on the corridor. Construction and utility work for the Flash BRT has begun on the Veirs Mill Road corridor with service expected to begin in 2028.
