Per Montgomery County:
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.

 

For riders transferring from a Metro train or bus, the Ride On Fare will be free. Ride On passengers transferring to a Metro bus will have to pay the $1 difference in fare.

The new rates were recommended in a “Fare Equity Study” conducted by MCDOT and released in October. The study recommended 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 exact fare readily accessible.

Riders using Montgomery County’s Ride On buses are encouraged to wear a mask but are no longer required to wear them. Masks are available on all buses for riders who need them.

Bus interiors will continue to be cleaned by the County’s Department of General Services with hospital-grade disinfectant. Bus filter and ventilation systems are also treated with a disinfectant.

Riders can plan Ride On bus trips online with Ride On Real Time.

For the most up-to-date service information, riders should follow @RideOnMCT on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

In addition, information is available at RideOnBus.com, by subscribing to receive email alerts at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/delivery, or texting MONTGOMERY RIDEON to 468311 to receive text alerts.

For information on MCDOT programs and services visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, follow @MCDOTNow on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram and subscribe to MCDOT’s “Go Montgomery!” newsletter.

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Per Montgomery County:
For Immediate Release: Monday, July 11, 2022
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.

 

For riders transferring from a Metro train or bus, the Ride On Fare will be free. Ride On passengers transferring to a Metro bus will have to pay the $1 difference in fare.

The new rates were recommended in a “Fare Equity Study” conducted by MCDOT and released in October. The study recommended 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 exact fare readily accessible.

Riders using Montgomery County’s Ride On buses are encouraged to wear a mask but are no longer required to wear them. Masks are available on all buses for riders who need them.

Bus interiors will continue to be cleaned by the County’s Department of General Services with hospital-grade disinfectant. Bus filter and ventilation systems are also treated with a disinfectant.

Riders can plan Ride On bus trips online with Ride On Real Time.

For the most up-to-date service information, riders should follow @RideOnMCT on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

In addition, information is available at RideOnBus.com, by subscribing to receive email alerts at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/delivery, or texting MONTGOMERY RIDEON to 468311 to receive text alerts.

For information on MCDOT programs and services visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, follow @MCDOTNow on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram and subscribe to MCDOT’s “Go Montgomery!” newsletter.

Per MCDOT:
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, July 5, 2022
Beginning Sunday, July 17, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (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.

Ride On interiors will continue to be cleaned by the County’s Department of General Services with hospital-grade disinfectant. Bus filter and ventilation systems are also treated with a disinfectant.

All passengers are encouraged to wear face coverings when traveling by public transportation. All MCDOT buses have a supply of face coverings for those who cannot provide their own.

Ride On bus service remains free for all riders until August 2022.

For the most up-to-date service information, riders should follow @RideOnMCT on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. In addition, information is available at rideonbus.com, by subscribing to receive email alerts at montgomerycountymd.gov/govdelivery, or texting MONTGOMERY RIDEON to 468311 to receive text alerts.

For information on MCDOT programs and services visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, follow @MCDOTNow on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram and subscribe to MCDOT’s “Go Montgomery!” newsletter.

Release ID: 22-084
Media Contact: Emily DeTitta 240-372-2282

Per MCPD:
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, June 15, 2022
Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) MD 355 Crossing Project in Bethesda was selected as a winner of the 2022 “Award of Excellence” by the Maryland Quality Initiative (MdQI) in the category of “Projects Over $5 Million.”

MdQI is a consortium of public and private sector agencies and industry associations representing Maryland’s transportation industry. The organization advocates for the highest quality in planning, design, construction and maintenance of Maryland’s transportation system.

Each year, a panel of experts evaluates award nominations. Winners are announced at a MdQI annual conference and awards event. This year’s event was held May 26 at the Baltimore Convention Center.

The long-planned 355 Crossing Project managed by MCDOT enhances capacity and access to the Medical Center Metrorail Station and improves pedestrian and bicycle safety between the west and east sides of MD 355/Rockville Pike at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Naval Support Activity Bethesda (NSA Bethesda), home of the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC).

“This was one of the most important improvements to pedestrian safety in Montgomery County in recent years,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “MD355/Rockville Pike at the Medical Center Metro station had been a dangerous intersection for generations, and the employees and visitors of these critical institutions deserved better. I am grateful for the recognition from MdQI.”

Construction of the complex project, which involved deep excavation that was done by drilling and blasting through rock, took about five years. The completed project includes:

• A shallow pedestrian underpass below MD 355 that provides pedestrians and cyclists a safe means of crossing the busy roadway.
• A pair of new 120-foot-deep high-speed elevators and emergency stairs creating direct access between the station and the east side of MD 355.
• A new elevator and staircase between the existing Metrorail platform and mezzanine level.
• Roadway surface improvements, such as a traffic signal, pavement resurfacing, sidewalk/bike path and median work.
• Stormwater management facilities.

The National Naval Medical Center and the Walter Reed National Army Medical Center merged to form the WRNMMC at Naval Support Activity Bethesda in 2011 as a result of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) plan authorized by Congress in 2005. The facility became the second-largest employer in Montgomery County. The largest employer is NIH, which is located on the opposite side of the street.

Thousands of people cross MD 355 daily to get back and forth between the campuses and to the Medical Center Metro located on the NIH side of MD 355.

“We are so thankful to receive this recognition for our work on this project,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “We know the 355 Crossing project supports thousands of people and helps ensure their safety. Pre-COVID-19 projections tell us that the Medical Center Metro Station accommodates around 11,000 Metro riders daily—with an estimated 7,000 pedestrians crossing MD 355 to get to the Metro stop, Ride On and shared-use path on the west side of MD-355.”

Over multiple years, the Maryland Congressional Delegation secured $28 million in federal appropriations for the project from the Defense Access Road program within the Department of Defense budget and added another $40 million from the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC) for transportation projects at BRAC-impacted military medical facilities. OLDCC also provided a $34 million supplementary award in 2016, bringing total funding for the project to more than $102 million. Additionally, the Crossing Project has been combined with the State Highway Administration’s Intersection Improvement Project at MD 355/Jones Bridge Road, which was funded with a $4.8 million grant from OLDCC.

MCDOT funded an environmental assessment and led the design and construction of the project. Additional coordinating agencies included the U.S. Department of the Navy, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health, the Federal Highway Administration, the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration and the Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority.

View a video on the construction project here. Additional details on the project can be found at md355crossing.com.

The underpass was dedicated to the late Phil Alperson at a press conference on Feb. 25, in Bethesda. Mr. Alperson was a former Montgomery County Government employee and key Capitol Hill aide who worked on project planning and attaining support for the project.

For information on MCDOT programs and services visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, follow @MCDOTNow on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to MCDOT’s “Go Montgomery!” newsletter.

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Below is the transportation-related holiday schedule for the Juneteenth holiday on Monday, June 20:

• County offices – Closed.
• Ride On – Will operate on a holiday schedule.
• Ride On extRa and Flex – Not in service.
• Ride On Flash – Will operate on a weekend schedule (Orange Line only).
• Metrorail and Metrobus – Metrorail will operate on a Saturday Holiday schedule with service from 5 a.m. – midnight.  Metrobus will operate on a weekday schedule. More Information is available here.
• MARC Train – Will operate on an R schedule. More information is available here.
• MTA Local and Commuter buses – No service on the commuter bus except for Route 201 which will operate on a weekend/holiday schedule. Local bus will operate on a Sunday schedule.  More information is available here.
• MTA Transit Stores – Closed.
• TRiPS Silver Spring Commuter Store – Open 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
• TRiPS Mobile Commuter Store – Closed.
• Parking at Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton public garages, lots and curbside meters – Free.

View more schedule changes here.

For information on MCDOT programs and services visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, follow @MCDOTNow on  Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to MCDOT’s “Go Montgomery!” newsletter.

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Per Montgomery County:
For Immediate Release: Monday, June 6, 2022
The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will have a series of events to seek input on the planned expansion of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service, branded Flash, on New Hampshire Avenue, North Bethesda and MD 355. Flash bus corridors provide frequent, upgraded bus services on highly traveled corridors. The first event will be online from 6-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 7.

Residents can provide input throughout the month of June. MCDOT is offering multiple opportunities to learn about Flash, engage with project teams, have questions answered and provide feedback.

“Expansion of our Flash bus corridors is important for residents to have equitable access to jobs, education and essential services,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. ” Our current and future riders have valuable insights, and we want to hear from you. Your comments will help us shape and improve these services. I encourage all riders, as well as interested residents and community leaders, to participate in these upcoming engagement events.”

The first Flash corridor opened in 2020 and operates on Colesville Road/Columbia Pike (US 29) from the Silver Spring Transit Center to White Oak, Briggs Chaney and Burtonsville with stops along the way.

The service—which uses 60-foot-long articulated buses—carries more than 2,100 riders per day. Buses run every 15 minutes from 5:30 a.m. until midnight seven days a week and every seven to 10 minutes during peak hours. Flash buses feature bike racks inside, free Wi-Fi service and USB ports

“Flash will make it easier for residents to travel around the county to get to schools, work, access healthcare, childcare and parks,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “We’re advancing projects that will have the greatest benefits for our residents. The American Public Transportation Association tells us that for every dollar spent on reliable public transit, about four dollars are generated in economic return. Reliable transportation has life-changing impacts on the economy, on the environment and on equity.”

The schedule for public engagement events:

Rockville Pike / Frederick Road/ Wisconsin Ave (MD 355)

 MCDOT is asking for feedback on the preliminary design plan for MD 355, which includes improvements to roadways, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure improvements and stations. The MD 355 BRT corridor will run from Bethesda to Clarksburg once complete. The County is first advancing the central segment, between the Montgomery College campuses in Rockville and Germantown.

Opportunities for comment include:

• Online: Attend one of four online chats to learn more and speak to project team members directly. Details and link to register are on the project webpage. Dates are:

– Tuesday, June 7. 6 -7:30 p.m. Register here

– Wednesday, June 8. Noon-1:30 p.m. Register here

– Thursday, June 16. 5 -6 p.m. Register here

– Thursday, June 23. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Register here

• Phone: Call 240-801-5794  to speak one-on-one with a project team member on Mondays, 11 a.m.-noon or Wednesdays, 2-3 p.m. through June 22
• In Person: Attend an in-person event. More than 10 events will be held through June 21. Visit the project webpage for locations, dates and times.
• Survey: Take the survey for a chance to win $50.

North Bethesda

MCDOT is seeking input on the planning study for the North Bethesda Flash BRT, which will connect Montgomery Mall with the Metrorail Red Line. Visit the project webpageto learn more. Opportunities for comment include:

• Online: Attend an online open house:
• Thursday, June 9. 6:30-8 p.m. Register here
• Tuesday, June 21. 6:30-8 p.m. Register here
• In person: Attend an in-person open house. Monday, June 13, 5-7 p.m., Davis Library, 6400 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda.

New Hampshire Avenue

MCDOT is seek input on the planning study for the New Hampshire Avenue Flash BRT. The study area extends from the Colesville Park and Ride to the Washington, D.C. line. Visit the project webpage to learn more. Opportunities for comment include:

• Online: Attend an online open house.
  • Thursday, June 16. 6- 8 p.m. Register here. Presentations at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.

• In person: Attend an in-person open house.
  • Wednesday, June 15. 4-6 p.m., Langley Park Community Center, 1500 Merrimac Dr., Hyattsville.  Presentations at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.
  • Saturday, June 18. 11 a.m.-1 p.m., CHI Centers, Inc., 10501 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring. Presentations at 11 a.m. and noon.

The US 29 Flash was the first step in creating a network of rapid transit lines in the County. BRT features include:

• Frequent, reliable service.
• Dedicated bus lanes where possible, reducing bus delays due to traffic.
• Bus lanes at intersections that allow buses to keep moving, known as “queue jump lanes.”
• Priority green light signaling, allowing for shorter travel times.
• Comfortable stations providing weather protection, fare pre-payment kiosks and real-time transit information via electronic message boards.
• Raised station platforms, facilitating quick and efficient accessible boarding and exiting from multiple doors.
• Community-friendly design with enhanced pedestrian walkways and bike facilities.

To learn more about the Flash Service please visit the website here.

For the most up-to-date service information, riders can follow @RideOnMCT on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. In addition, information is available at rideonbus.com and by subscribing to receive email alerts at montgomerycountymd.gov/govdelivery. Riders can text MONTGOMERY RIDEON to 468311 to receive text alerts.

For information on MCDOT programs and services visit montgomerycountymd.gov/dot, follow @MCDOTNow on  Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to MCDOT’s “Go Montgomery!” newsletter.

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The Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) reminds residents that Federal guidelines continue to require riders to wear face coverings for the duration of their trips when traveling by public transportation.

The regulation covers County Ride On buses, Ride On extRa, Flash, Metrobus, Metrorail and when taking taxis or on-demand car services.

MCDOT buses have a supply of face coverings for riders who cannot provide their own.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) mask mandate on transit was extended to January 18 back in August. The previous Federal mask order ran through September 13.

All County operated buses including Ride On, Ride On extRa and Flash buses will remain free to all passengers through at least September 2021. Fees were suspended during the onset of the pandemic.

Social distancing continues to be strongly recommended on board the buses and trains and at bus stops and shelters. Bus interiors will continue to be cleaned by the County’s Department of General Services twice daily with a hospital-grade viral disinfectant. Bus filter and ventilation systems are treated each night with a disinfectant.

Below are Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) and partners’ transportation-related schedule changes for the Thanksgiving Holiday, Thursday, Nov. 25:

• MCDOT, County, State and Court Offices – Closed.
• Ride On Bus Service – Operates on a Sunday schedule.
• Flash Rapid Bus Service – Orange Line operates on a weekend schedule. Blue Line is not in operation.
• Ride On extRa and Ride On Flex Bus Service – Not in service.
• Metrorail and Metrobus – Operates on Sunday/Holiday schedule.
• MTA Local Bus and Light Rail – Operates on Sunday/Holiday schedule.
• Marc Train – Not in service.
• MTA Commuter Bus – Not in service Nov. 25 and 26.
• MTA Transit Store – Closed Nov. 25 and 26.
• TRiPS Commuter Store at Silver Spring Transit Center – Closed.
• TRiPS Mobile Commuter Store – Closed.
• Parking at Bethesda, Silver Spring and Wheaton Public Garages, Lots and Curbside Meters – Free.

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has immediate openings for full-time and part-time Ride On bus operators.

The positions offer applicants 21-and-over paid CDL license training, a competitive benefits package and a fun, supportive atmosphere, with ongoing professional development opportunities.

Transportation is one of the County’s most important resources. MCDOT’s Ride On bus service achieves an essential mission of the County by connecting people, communities, workplaces, educational institutions and many other essential destinations. MCDOT owns and operates nearly 400 buses.

“I’m a social person, so I really enjoy meeting new people and personalities every day,” said Ride On operator Yader Mendez-Sotelo. “I’ve never seen a company that pushes people forward like MCDOT does.

My chief started out as a Ride On driver, so you know there is room here for advancement. Drivers work together and help each other, and management works with you.”

Supporting residents and visitors with transit options and infrastructure, MCDOT is a large organization with about 1,300 employees.

Potential applicants can get more information and apply at bit.ly/3C2fIRl.  Search “Driver” or position code IRC51804.

On Wednesday, September 29 at 7 p.m., the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will host a virtual public hearing to discuss a proposed sidewalk on Decatur Avenue, just West of Connecticut Avenue, in Kensington.

At the virtual meeting, MCDOT will present the project scope, its conceptual design, costs, schedules and obtain public feedback.

The hearing will be broadcast live online at montgomerycounty.adobeconnect.com/decatursidewalk.

Project documents, and more details about the hearing, have been posted online.

 

This Wednesday 9/29 at 7PM, MCDOT will be holding a virtual public hearing about the proposed Decatur Avenue sidewalk in Kensington.

Learn more and get sign-in details at the following link: https://t.co/f7SIh3yxcj pic.twitter.com/iU0P7BH3ls

— MCDOT Division of Transportation Engineering (@MoCo_DTE) September 27, 2021

Accelerated deterioration of a culvert has forced the closure of Clarksburg Road between Bethesda Church Road and Prices Distillery Road.

While plans were already in place to replace this culvert in October, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation accelerated the project schedule after recent rainfall further damaged the culvert, which carries a branch of Bennett Creek underneath Clarksburg Road.

Local access to all residences and properties will be maintained during the closure, which will remain through December, according to the Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s Division of Transportation Engineering.

Featured Photo Courtesy of MCDOT

#ClarksburgRdCulvert Due to the recent storm events, severe damage has occurred to the culvert and roadway. Clarksburg Rd s now closed between Prices Distillery and Bethesda Church Rd. Closure will be thru December 2021 to replace the culvert. @MoCo_DTE

— MCDOT Division of Transportation Engineering (@MoCo_DTE) September 24, 2021