The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is encouraging commuters to plan ahead for Metro’s summer Red Line shutdown, which will suspend train service between the North Bethesda and Friendship Heights stations from Monday, July 6, through Sunday, Sept. 6.
During the closure, Metro will provide free shuttle buses while crews construct a new Bethesda Station mezzanine to connect Metrorail with the future Purple Line and complete maintenance work at the Medical Center and Grosvenor-Strathmore stations. To help keep buses moving, the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration will activate 7.5 miles of dedicated bus-only lanes along portions of Rockville Pike (MD 355) beginning July 6. The lanes will be reserved for buses from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and parking will be prohibited in those lanes throughout the closure.
MCDOT is encouraging riders to use the free Ride On Trip Planner app to plan their trips and says Ride On bus routes connecting to the eastern portion of the Red Line will continue operating throughout the summer. The dedicated bus lanes north of I-495 will also be evaluated for possible long-term use after the project concludes.
Per MCDOT:
Red Line Free Shuttles
- Metro Local Shuttle – All Stops (Free/ADA Accessible): Service to stops at North Bethesda, Grosvenor-Strathmore, Medical Center, Bethesda, and Friendship Heights.
- Operating Schedule: Daily during regular Metro Rail operating hours.
- Frequency: Every 5 to 8 minutes.
- Service Details: Operates along MD 355 between the North Bethesda and Friendship Heights Metro Rail stations, using the 7.5 miles of dedicated bus lanes, where available. The average travel time between stops is approximately 10 minutes.
- Metro Express Shuttle (Free/ADA Accessible): Direct, non-stop service running between North Bethesda and Friendship Heights.
- Operating Schedule: Daily during regular Metro Rail operating hours.
- Frequency: Every 5 to 8 minutes.
- Service Details: Operates along MD 355 between the North Bethesda and Friendship Heights Metro Rail stations, using the 7.5 miles of dedicated bus lanes, where available. Average travel time is approximately 26 minutes.
Free parking will be available at the North Bethesda and Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro stations.
Red Line Travel Alternatives
For some passengers traveling into Washington, D.C., connecting to the Red Line Metro stations on the east arm of the Red Line, where Metro Rail will be running regular hours, may be a better alternative.
Ride On will operate a shuttle to the east arm of the Metro Rail Red Line:
- Ride On Glenmont Express Shuttle (Free/ADA Accessible): Service to Milestone Park-and-Ride Lot, Shady Grove Metro Station, and Glenmont Metro Station.
- Operating Schedule: Weekdays, peak hours. Monday through Friday from 6-9 a.m. and from 3-7 p.m.
- Frequency: Every 40 minutes.
- Service Details: Average travel time is approximately 20 minutes between stops.
Additional Ride On and Metro Bus routes connecting to the east arm of the Red Line:
From Shady Grove Metro Station:
- To: Glenmont Metro Station
- Routes: Ride On (Glenmont Express, Route 53)
From Rockville Metro Station:
- To: Wheaton Metro Station
- To: Glenmont Metro Station
From Twinbrook Metro Station:
- To: Silver Spring Metro Station (Metro and MARC)
- Routes: Ride On (Route 5)
From North Bethesda Metro Station:
- To: Silver Spring Metro Station (Metro and MARC)
- Routes: Ride On (Route 5)
- To: Glenmont Metro Station
- Routes: Ride On (Route 26)
- To: Wheaton Metro Station
- Routes: Ride On (Route 38)
From Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Station:
- To: Wheaton Metro Station
- Routes: Ride On (Route 37)
From Medical Center Metro Station:
- To: Glenmont Metro Station
- Routes: Ride On (Route 33)
- To: Wheaton Metro Station
- Routes: Ride On (Route 34)
From Bethesda Metro Station:
- To: Wheaton Metro Station
- Routes: Ride On (Route 34)
- Routes: Metrobus (Route M22)
- To: Silver Spring Metro Station (Metro and MARC)
- Routes: Metrobus (Route M70)
From Friendship Heights Metro Station:
- To: Silver Spring Metro Station (Metro and MARC)
