 Expanded US 29 Flash Bus Rapid Transit Service with Four New Stops in Howard County Launched Tuesday, Sept. 8
On Tuesday, Sept. 8, MCDOT expanded its US 29 Flash Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Blue Route to serve four new stops in Howard County. The Flash Blue Route provides weekday, rush-hour service every 15-20 minutes from 5-9 a.m. and 3-8 p.m. between Downtown Silver Spring and Downtown Columbia.
Flash is Montgomery County’s bus rapid transit system, offering high-frequency service and faster trips with dedicated bus lanes where possible, and extended green lights for Flash buses. The US 29 Flash BRT, which operates a daily Orange route, and a weekday, rush-hour, Blue route, has been in operation since October 2020. The US 29 Flash BRT is consistently ranked among the county’s most heavily used bus routes, serving more than 2,700 passengers each weekday and more than 16,000 passengers per week.
The expansion brings faster, more frequent bus service to four of Howard County’s most active hubs, with new stops at:
- Columbia - Merriweather Drive
- Columbia - Little Patuxent Parkway
- Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL)
- Maple Lawn Boulevard
Upon opening, the Flash bus stops in Howard County will have temporary signage until permanent stations are put into place later this year.
The US 29 corridor is the first of eight planned Flash BRT routes in Montgomery County. A second corridor along Veirs Mill Road, from Rockville Pike to Downtown Wheaton, is planned to open for service in 2028.
Glenmont Shuttle to the East Side of Red Line Metro Will Continue Through September
MCDOT’s Ride On Glenmont Express Shuttle launched this summer in response to Metro's partial Red Line closure was planned to operate through Sunday, Sept. 6.
Based on community feedback gathered through the Glenmont Express Survey, Ride On has decided to continue the Glenmont Express Shuttle service through Wednesday, Sept. 30. Staff will monitor ridership and rider feedback to determine whether the service will continue long term.
The shuttle provides direct service between Milestone Park-and-Ride, Shady Grove, and Glenmont Metro Stations, operating every 40 minutes, Monday through Friday, during rush hour (6-9 a.m. and 3-7 p.m.), servicing the Milestone Park-and-Ride Lot, Shady Grove Metro Station, and the Glenmont Metro Station.
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MCDOT Advances Bicycle Infrastructure Projects in Bethesda, Silver Spring, and Wheaton
MCDOT is advancing bicycle infrastructure projects across the County that will improve safety and provide critical connections to the region’s bikeway and transit networks.
Construction is underway on projects, including portions of the Capital Crescent Trail between Bethesda and Silver Spring, the Metropolitan Branch Trail in Silver Spring, as well as safety improvements along McComas Avenue in Wheaton where MCDOT is constructing a neighborhood greenway. Combined, the projects will add more than two miles of bike pathways to the County.
An additional 20 projects are in the planning phase. The projects will add nearly 18 miles of bike-friendly pathways across the County.
The County currently has a total of 112 miles of bike lanes, bike-friendly road shoulders, and separated bike lanes, also known as cycle tracks.
MCDOT is also constructing a secure bike parking facility in the base of Garage 5, on the southeast corner of Dixon Avenue and Bonifant Street in Downtown Silver Spring. The bike parking facility is expected to open in the fall.
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Montgomery County Announces FY27 Vision Zero Work Plan with New Initiatives to Make Roads Safer
The Montgomery County Vision Zero Steering Committee released its Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) Work Plan detailing the safety projects, campaigns, and initiatives underway this year. Vision Zero is a strategy aimed at eliminating serious injuries and fatalities on County roadways. Each year, the Steering Committee updates its Work Plan to advance the Vision Zero 2030 Action Plan and make roads safer for everyone.
Annually, the Vision Zero Work Plan advances projects in the High Injury Network (HIN). These roadways were identified as the areas with the highest risk for serious injuries and fatalities.
Highlights of this year’s Work Plan include:
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County Safety Corridors: Two safety corridor construction projects will wrap up this fall along portions of Bel Pre Road and Montgomery Village Avenue. Additionally, MCDOT will advance the signing, marking, and other short-term safety recommendations along portions of two corridors, Randolph Road and East Gude Drive.
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State Safety Corridors: The State Highway Administration (SHA) is advancing safety projects under its Pedestrian Safety Action Plan. This includes ongoing construction along New Hampshire Avenue (MD 650) and the start of construction along University Boulevard West (MD 193).
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Sidewalk and Bikeway Connections to Purple Line and Bus Rapid Transit: MCDOT and SHA are improving pedestrian and cyclist connections to future Purple Line and Bus Rapid Transit projects. This includes sidewalk projects around four Purple Line stations in East County and nine bikeway projects, including completing construction of the Capital Crescent Trail between Bethesda and Silver Spring.
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Building New Bikeways: Thirteen bikeway projects will be under construction by MCDOT. An additional 11 bikeways are in design.
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New Sidewalks: More than five miles of sidewalk will be constructed by MCDOT.
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Safe Routes to School (SRTS): MCDOT SRTS will advance safety for students walking and biking to school. Fifteen schools will have walkability audits completed, and at least 10 bike rodeos (on-bike safety courses) will be held. Student education and outreach efforts will continue through the 2027 Vision Zero Youth Ambassador Cohort program. SRTS will continue to coordinate investigations into crashes involving students walking or biking to and from school.
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“Speed on Green” Enforcement: Montgomery County Police will activate red-light cameras to double as speed cameras during the green phase of traffic movement where speed cameras are allowed by State law and have excessive speeding in the green phase.
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 How Regional Leaders Are Shaping the Future of Transit in Maryland
On Monday, Aug. 24, the 2026 Regional Transportation Alliance (RTA) Leadership Briefing brought transportation leaders together to explore the ideas and innovations shaping transit in Maryland.
A central part of the experience was the visit to Montgomery County’s EMTOC Microgrid, the largest transit depot microgrid in the country. It provides up to 6.8 megawatts of clean energy through solar generation, battery storage, and charging systems that keep buses operating even when the surrounding power grid is disrupted.
The presentation included Montgomery County plans for the Flash Bus Rapid Transit Network. During the visit, leaders also saw how the County's new microgrid supports daily operations for MCDOT’s growing zero-emission fleet. They observed how it delivers reliable charging for Ride On buses, and powers multiple facilities on the EMTOC campus.
These hands-on visits make it easier to see how different regions are approaching similar goals and how shared lessons can help everyone move forward.
Below photo: The David F. Bone Equipment Maintenance and Transit Operation Center (EMTOC) microgrid in Derwood, Maryland, is the nation's largest renewable energy-powered transit depot microgrid.
MCDOT Offers Adult Learn to Ride and Basic Skills Bike Classes This Fall
MCDOT will offer low-cost adult bike classes in September, October, and November.
Advance registration is required to participate, with a cost of $10 for Montgomery County residents. There is no charge for Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) or Capital Bikeshare for All members; however, registration is still required.
Participants in the Learn to Ride bicycle classes will learn how to start and stop, balance, glide, pedal, and steer a bike. Each student will progress at their own pace. Students in the Basic Skills class should be able to ride a bicycle and will continue to practice basic biking skills. The classes will be led by experienced WABA instructors.
The classes are open to residents 18 and over, are limited to 25 people, and fill up quickly. September classes are sold out.
Adult Learn to Ride Bike class schedules:
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Sunday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Upper County Community Rec Center in Gaithersburg. Register here.
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Saturday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at White Oak Community Rec Center in Silver Spring. Register here.
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Sunday, Oct. 18, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Farm Women’s Market, Parking Lot 24 in Bethesda. Register here.
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Saturday, Oct. 24, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Westfield Montgomery Mall (former Sears parking lot) in Bethesda. Register here.
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Sunday, Nov. 1, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Marilyn J. Praisner Community Recreation Center in Burtonsville. Registration opens 10/1 on the WABA website.
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Saturday, Nov. 7, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Westfield Montgomery Mall (former Sears parking lot) in Bethesda. Registration opens 10/1 on the WABA website.
Adult Basic Skills Bike class schedule:
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Saturday, Nov. 14, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Montgomery College, Parking Lot 13 in Rockville. Registration opens 10/1 on the WABA website.
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 Car Free Day is on Tuesday, Sept. 22
This worldwide event encourages traveling in ways that are greener than driving alone, such as walking, riding a bicycle, using public transit such as bus or rail, joining a carpool, or teleworking. Using more sustainable ways to get around helps reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions and traffic congestion.
Download the Ride On Trip Planner App to plan a fare-free Ride On bus trip, look for a Bikeshare station near you, or talk to your coworker about carpooling.
Residents can visit MCDOT’s Bike and Scooter webpage for a map of bike trails, safety tips, and more information. MCDOT also provides travel options and supports programs that offer alternatives to driving solo.
 September is National Preparedness Month
In recognition of National Preparedness Month, the Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (OEMHS) will host dozens of outreach events throughout the County through early October. This year’s theme is “Ready Together!” OEMHS will feature a different readiness focus each week, along with a community preparedness survey and a raffle for those who complete it, with a chance to win emergency "go" bags full of preparedness supplies.
This is an annual campaign to remind everyone that preparing for emergencies and disasters can keep them, their families, and their communities safe.
Residents are encouraged to visit the National Preparedness Month webpage to locate events in their neighborhood and complete the Community Preparedness Survey, available in multiple languages.
Be sure to sign up for Alert Montgomery to receive severe weather and emergency alerts.
Walktober is Right Around the Corner
October in Maryland becomes WALKTOBER, a month where transportation agencies promote and host events and webinars, also known as “walkinars”, spotlighting Maryland pedestrians' safety, health, and commuting options. Walkinars explore a variety of subjects, including resources to strengthen and sustain local partnerships to improve walkability, as well as new tools and technologies used across the country to plan accessible routes for pedestrians of all ages and abilities.
The public can also participate in the yearly Walk Maryland Day, held on the first Wednesday in October. This year it will be on Wednesday, Oct. 7, in celebration of our state's official exercise and as a call to action to support safe walking and walkability.
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Virtual Public Hearing on the Washington Grove Connector Trail in Washington Grove to Be Held on Thursday, Oct. 1
At 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1, MCDOT will hold a virtual (online) public hearing to discuss the proposed Washington Grove Connector Trail in Washington Grove. MCDOT will present project details, costs, and schedules as well as obtain public comments and answer questions. Public input is encouraged and may influence the final design of the project.
The Washington Grove Connector Trail project will result in a shared-use path from the terminus of Crabbs Branch Way to the end of Brown Street in Washington Grove. The proposed 850-foot long, 10-foot-wide trail will provide a paved connection for pedestrian and bicycle users from Washington Grove to destinations and transit hubs such as the Shady Grove Metro station. This important connection is identified in the 2006 Shady Grove Sector Plan and 2021 Shady Grove Sector Plan Minor Master Plan Amendment.
Online registration is required to attend.
The public is encouraged to visit the project website and provide feedback via the online comment form or via email to the Project Manager, Jean Kapusnick at Jean.Kapusnick@montgomerycountymd.gov. Written testimony carries the same weight as oral testimony. All information provided will become a matter of public record.
Red Line Metro Stations Have Reopened After Major Construction
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) reopened Red Line service on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7, following nine weeks of major construction.
The work took place between North Bethesda and Friendship Heights metrorail stations that started on Monday, July 6, and was completed over the Labor Day weekend. Rail service is now restored to the Grosvenor-Strathmore, Medical Center, and Bethesda Metro stations.
Multiple Road Closures in Effect for Purple Line Construction
Purple Line construction continues at multiple locations in Silver Spring and Long Branch, with temporary and long-term road, lane and sidewalk closures in effect.
Read the MoCoShow article.
Montgomery County Police Issue More Than 260 Citations to Drivers in First Week of School
During the first week of the 2026-2027 school year, the Montgomery County Department of Police issued 269 citations to drivers who illegally passed stopped school buses.
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) began its first day of school on Tuesday, Aug. 25, after holding a transition day for some students on Monday, Aug. 24.
Montgomery County Police officers are proactively patrolling school zones throughout the county, watching for drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses, speed, drive distracted, or engage in other dangerous driving behaviors around schools.
Passing a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended can result in a $250 citation when the violation is captured by an automated school bus camera. If you're stopped by a police officer, you could face a fine of up to $570 and three points on your driving record.
Montgomery County Testing Cameras That Catch Speeding on Green Lights
The Montgomery County Police Department is testing its new “Speed on Green” program at two intersections where red-light cameras are already in place. Warnings are being given. The upgraded technology can also detect vehicles traveling above the posted speed limit while the signal is green.
One of the test locations is Colesville Road and Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring and the other is Colesville Road and University Boulevard.
Read the WJLA article.
MARC Train to Launch Direct Weekday Service Between Montgomery County and Baltimore
The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) will launch a new direct weekday MARC Train connection between Montgomery County and Baltimore beginning Monday, Sept. 28.
The new service will provide a one-seat, transfer-free connection between communities along the Brunswick and Camden lines, including Germantown, Gaithersburg, Rockville, Kensington, Silver Spring, College Park, Laurel, and Baltimore. One train will travel to Baltimore in the morning, with another making the return trip in the evening.
Read the Patch article.
MD 355 Bus-Only Lanes Reopened to All Vehicles on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7
The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration has begun removing approximately 7.5 lane-miles of temporary bus-only lanes along MD 355, also known as Wisconsin Avenue.
Read the MOCOSHOW article.
$11.3 Million Grant to Boost Bike Paths, Trails in Maryland
Bikers, walkers and runners could soon see improved trails and expanded paths in Maryland, thanks to $11.3 million in grants.
The money comes from programs aimed at providing alternatives to driving and improving trails and bikeway networks, according to a Tuesday statement from the Maryland Department of Transportation. The investments combine $9.3 million in federal funding and $2 million in state funding.
Some of the projects are designed to improve bike paths and trails in the D.C. area.
A 20-mile stretch of the C&O Canal towpath in Montgomery and Washington counties is among the six rehabilitation projects funded under a $6.5 million grant.
A trail in Montgomery County will be rehabilitated as part of a $2.8 million grant from the Recreational Trails Program. That funding is being split between six projects to replace trail bridges and fix up boardwalks and trails.
The grant also includes $2 million for bikeways, including minor retrofit projects in Baltimore City and Anne Arundel and Montgomery counties. Those improvements are expected to make it easier to go from bike paths to major destinations. Crews will extend paths and look to connect trails in Edmonston and La Plata.
Read the WTOP article.
 For information on MCDOT programs and services, visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, follow @MCDOTNow on X, Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook and subscribe to receive the latest MCDOT news by phone or email.
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