MCDOT LAUNCHES FLASH ON US 29 

Ready to Ride the Flash? Learn How:

This video describes features and amenities of the new Flash service. More videos are available online at: montgomerycountymd.gov/dot-transit/flash/videos.html.

MCDOT Launches ‘Flash,’ Maryland’s First Bus Service of its Kind

Montgomery County’s Department of Transportation (MCDOT) launched its inaugural “Flash” transit service on October 14 in a ceremony led by Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, County Council President Sidney Katz, Council Vice President Tom Hucker and MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. The celebration was held at the Briggs Chaney Flash station in Burtonsville, the northernmost station on the Flash's 14-mile route along US Route 29 and Lockwood Drive to Silver Spring. Learn more.

Watch the Launch Event on Twitter

Officials who played a role in the Flash, but were unable to attend the launch event in person, provided virtual remarks to acknowledge the occasion.

About Flash

Flash is a new bus service that gets you where you need to go quickly. It operates on Colesville Road/ Columbia Pike (US 29) and Lockwood Drive, with destinations including downtown Silver Spring (Transit Center, MARC and Metrorail Red Line), Four Corners, White Oak, Fairland, and Burtonsville. With Flash, you can hop on and off for destinations along the route or make easy connections to locations throughout the region.

Flash provides:

• Frequent, reliable service.
• Eighty-passenger buses (with fewer riders currently allowed in response to COVID-19) with free WiFi and USB charging ports.
• Unique station design with weather protection, pre-payment stations, and real-time transit information.
• Level boarding (no steps) through all three doors for easy on and off
• Easy access for wheelchairs, bikes, and strollers.
• Premium service, but at the same price as the regular bus and accepting Smartrip (and all discounts).

Board through any door. Due to Covid-related precautions, the front door is reserved for wheelchairs.

FLASH Station Features

The unique Flash station design makes finding the stations simple. The stations feature canopies and windscreens for weather protection, seating, a marker pole and ticketing machines.

Other features include:

• SmarTrip® card readers at the ends of each station for contactless pre-payment (Flash remains free for now in response to COVID-19).
• Inlaid mosaics on the station platforms created by local student apprentices with Arts on the Block
• Real-time bus arrival signaling when the next Flash will arrive. When the blue marker starts flashing, your ride is just a moment away.

Here's What Riders Are Saying...

Feedback from Flash Riders.

Eighty-passenger, 62-foot Flash buses have spacious interiors with bike racks inside the bus.

Flash project team members launch the Flash Service on October 14, 2020.

November 2, 2020

Follow on Twitter

@RideOnMCT 

Flash Orange Routes: Every 15 minutes, all day, every day.

Flash Blue Routes: Every 15 minutes, weekdays only, 5:30-8:30 a.m. and 3:30-7:30 p.m.

Flash Route Map: Flash automatically stops at each station along the route.

MAKING NEWS

WJLA (ABC 7)

NBC 4 Washington

Fox 5 DC

The Washington Post calls Flash "the D.C. region's most ambitious try at bus rapid transit."  Read Washington Post article by Luz Lazo.

ARTICLES

• DCist, 10/13
• MyMCMedia, 10/12
• Maryland Matters, 10/14
• WTOP, 10/14
• Local DVM, 10/14
• The MoCo Show, 10/14
• MyMCMedia, 10/14

FLASH FEATURES

Don't forget your mask. Face coverings are required on all regional transportation. Flash will supply a mask to those who do not have one.

"Look for the Flash" when the blue marker starts flashing. That means your Flash bus is approaching.

Ten new Capital Bikeshare stations are available along the corridor to help people access Flash.

Free WiFi and USB charging ports are on board and at the stations.

Flash provides full accessibility for wheelchairs, persons with disabilities, strollers, bikes, and carts. Wheelchairs and scooters enter through the front door. Bikes use the backdoor. Bikes can be easily secured on board the Flash. Learn more.

Secure your bike inside the Flash bus.

Flash reduces travel times by about 30 percent compared with current bus routes. Features that reduce trip time include fare payment at the station before the bus arrives; three doors available for boarding; exclusive use of US 29 road shoulders; and traffic signal priority that allows buses to go through intersections quickly.

View Flash Photo Album