Per MCDOT: Ride On buses will be operating on special schedules in Montgomery County for the Christmas (Dec. 24 – 26) and New Year’s (Jan. 1 – 2) holidays.
Dec. 24, 25 and 26:
MCDOT
Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s Bus Rapid Transit buses, known as Flash, are all decked out for the holidays. Residents will see them throughout December running along Colesville Road and Columbia Pike (US 29) on the route from the Silver Spring Transit Center to Briggs Chaney and Burtonsville, with stops along the way.
Flash is a fast bus service that is currently planned for four additional corridors in Montgomery County. The projects will transform mobility options by offering high-frequency bus services along predetermined corridors. The projects also will bring bicycle and pedestrian improvements along the corridors to make it easier to get to Flash stations. Where possible, Flash buses will run in dedicated lanes to bypass existing traffic congestion.
Per Montgomery County: Below are the Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) and regional partners’ transportation-related schedule changes for the Christmas holiday, Saturday, Dec. 24 to Monday, Dec. 26:
View additional County holiday schedules here.
Per MCDOT: Montgomery County could experience the first winter weather mix of the season this week according to some forecasts— Wednesday night into Thursday morning. The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the Department of Transportation (MCDOT) and WSSC Water will emphasize the impact excessive salt use can have on the environment at an event in Gaithersburg at 4:45 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 15.
The event will be held at the County’s Gaithersburg Salt Barn, which is located at 17000 Crabbs Branch Way in Gaithersburg.
Per MCDOT: The Ride On Reimagined Study is a comprehensive, forward-looking assessment of the bus network that will result in significant recommended changes to how transit operates in Montgomery County based on current and future needs. This study will take an in-depth look at Montgomery County’s existing and planned transit systems, including Metrobus services that operate within the County limits and the future Purple Line, through data analysis and community engagement.
Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is recruiting community members for focus groups. Both riders and non-riders are welcome to participate. Each focus group will be based on one of five areas across the County. Meetings will be held in public spaces such as Regional Service Centers or local libraries. The small group format will encourage active discussion. All locations are accessible via bus. Participants will be asked to attend two (2), two-hour-long local focus group sessions held from 6 – 8 p.m. on weeknights.
Per MCDOT: The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will hold a virtual public forum on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, starting at 6:30 p.m., to discuss the proposed extension of the current bus route 51 to provide service to the ICC Park and Ride lot in Olney. The new proposed extended bus route 51 will operate between ICC Park and Ride lot and Glenmont Metrorail Station with no additional changes to current stops.
A virtual public forum is being conducted on the proposed new route to gather public feedback regarding the proposed service expansion. Attendees will have an opportunity to provide comments and ask questions. Community members can join the virtual public forum in two ways:
Per MCDOT: On Wednesday, Jan. 18, starting at 7 p.m., the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will hold a virtual public hearing to discuss the proposed construction of a sidewalk in the Roscoe Nix Elementary School community on Oakview Drive from Dilston Road to New Hampshire Avenue in Silver Spring.
The Holiday Flash Light bus is back again this year with a new twist. This year, there will be Flash Light buses operating along the Route 29 corridor. Additional information on how to ride the flash below:
How to Ride the Flash: Flash is the easy, convenient way to get around the Colesville Road/Columbia Pike Corridor. With frequent, reliable service, it’s a great option for any trip type, whether it is commuting during peak hours, picking up groceries midday, heading to local parks and trailheads, or going out to dinner in downtown Silver Spring.
Per MCDOT: Due to WMATA performing bus shelter replacements at the Rockville Metrorail Station, the Westside of the station is experiencing temporary bus stop closures. Closures take place in phases. Phase 3 of closures, impacting Northbound Q line buses, began on Wednesday. Nov. 30. Phase 4 of the closures, impacting Ride On Routes 46 and 55 will begin Wednesday, Dec. 7.
Riders can plan trips online with Ride On Real Time.
The MCPS Department of Transportation and the Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) Safe Routes to School are looking for adult volunteers to help energize a safe and fun way for children to get physical activity as they walk to and from school with supervision.
The Walking School Bus program allows for students to walk along a set route with one or more adults leading the way, picking children up at designated stops along a predetermined route and walking them to school. Interested adult volunteers can sign up to request more information and to speak with an MCPS and/or MCDOT representative about starting this program in their school community.
Per MCDOT: Below are the Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) and regional partners’ transportation-related schedule changes for the Thanksgiving holiday, Thursday, Nov. 24:
View additional County schedule changes here.