Montgomery County, MD - Department of Transportation - Press Releases

Metro launches unlimited 7-day "short trip" pass on SmarTrip cards

21 May 2013 16:53:00 EST

Metro's $35 seven-day "short trip" pass became available on SmarTrip cards effective May 20, 2013. This new upgrade allows SmarTrip users to purchase and load short trip passes from the convenience of their computer.

Previously, the short trip pass was available only as a paper fare card. This meant that riders had to stop at a fare vending machine to purchase the pass, or have the paper pass mailed to them. By launching the short trip pass as a SmarTrip product, riders can load a new pass onto their SmarTrip card at smartrip.com, in addition to purchasing the pass at a fare vending machine.

7-Day Short Trip Pass Quick Facts
• Cost $35
• Pass is valid for seven days from first use. It expires at the end of the seventh operating day.
• Good for unlimited Metrorail trips valued up to $3.50 during peak periods
• Good for unlimited Metrorail trip ...more

MTA public hearings June 4-6: proposed elimination of three commuter bus routes along the Inter County Connector

20 May 2013 17:48:00 EST

The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) will hold several public hearings in June on the proposed elimination of three commuter bus routes along the Inter County Connector (ICC) that would impact service to Walter Reed-Bethesda, Fort Meade, and elsewhere.

* Route 202: Weekday peak service between Gaithersburg and DOD/Fort Meade
* Route 203: Weekday peak service between Columbia and Bethesda
* Route 204: Weekday peak service between College Park and Germantown

Visit MTA's website for information on the dates, times, and locations of the public hearings. ...more

Minor Schedule Adjustments on Three Ride On Bus Routes

19 May 2013 14:14:00 EST

Effective May 5, Ride On made minor schedule changes to its bus routes 42, 45 and 94 to better match schedules with bus operations.
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Riders are encouraged to use Ride On Real Time to get up-to-date information by computer, smartphone or text message about when their next bus is arriving.

For more information about Ride On, call 311, or from outside the County, call 240-777-0311, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The TTY (for hearing impaired) number is 301-251-4850. Or, visit the Division of Transit Services’s website. Information on the changes is also available in Spanish.

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Construction begins on MacArthur Boulevard bikeway improvements

17 May 2013 11:17:00 EST

The Division of Transportation Engineering has begun work on bikeway improvements along 13,800 linear feet of MacArthur Boulevard. This is known as Segment 2 of improvements along this bikeway corridor. Segment 2 extends from the Beltway/I-495 to Oberlin Avenue.

The contractor, Fort Myer Construction, has been on site since mid April but has now begun actual construction work.

This project is part of the Capital Improvements Program and is designated as project number 500718-2. For budget information on this or other CIP projects, visit the Office of Management and Budget's website. For more information on this and other transportation-related construction projects, visit the Division of Transportation Engineering's website.

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Leggett Joins Governor at Bill Signing for Transportation Infrastructure Investment Act

16 May 2013 11:35:00 EST

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett today joined Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr. and Speaker of the House Michael E. Busch at the bill signing for the Transportation Infrastructure Investment Act of 2013. Leggett has been an outspoken advocate for an increase in transportation funding revenues.

“The Washington region has the dubious distinction of being rated number one in the nation as having the worst traffic congestion and that is why Montgomery County’s number one priority for more than 10 years has been to obtain more transportation funding,” said Mr. Leggett. “For six years, I have strongly advocated for an increase in the state’s gasoline tax, which hasn’t risen since 1992 when George Bush Sr. was President. Since then, I have testified at every hearing on this issue and have been relentless in its support.”

For more information, see the

“Give and Ride” Program Helps Feed Area’s Neediest Families

15 May 2013 17:32:00 EST

This year, Montgomery County’s annual “Give and Ride” food drive campaign successfully collected enough donated food to feed 115 needy area families. County residents donated canned and non-perishable food on the County’s Ride On buses. In exchange, donors were able to ride the bus for free. All donated food was given to Manna Food Center.

“This year, Ride On passengers donated over 8,161 pounds of food,” said Rev. Angela M. Whitmal, interim executive director of Manna Food. “We truly appreciate the generosity of both those who donated food and the Ride On drivers and employees who gave of their time to help their neighbors in need.”

“During these tough times, our community has rallied to help others in need,” said Carolyn Biggins, general manager of Ride On. “Ride On is not just a bus service – it’s a family of caring individuals who reach out to make ...more

Update on five road maintenance projects in local subdivisions

07 May 2013 14:58:00 EST

Several new road maintenance projects by the Division of Highway Services are beginning in local subdivisions.

Paving projects, in which crews will resurface the local streets with hot mix asphalt:

* Westlake Drive (Bethesda service area) from Democracy Boulevard to Tuckerman Lane, to begin on or about the week of May 13, 2013. The project should take 4 weeks weather permitting, with construction occurring between the hours of 8 am and 4 pm.

* Seven Locks Road (Potomac area) from Montrose Road to Tuckerman Lane, originally scheduled to begin on or about April 1, 2013, has been postponed to July, 2013. The project should take 6 weeks weather permitting, with construction occurring between the hours of 9 am and 4 pm.

Permanent patching projects, in which crews make structural, permanent patches to the road, a cost effective interim solution to maintain roadway stru ...more

Update on seven road maintenance projects in local subdivisions

30 Apr 2013 09:59:00 EST

Several new road maintenance projects by the Division of Highway Services are beginning in local subdivisions. These are some of the first paving work of the season!

Paving projects, in which crews will resurface the local streets with hot mix asphalt:

* Colesville Road (Silver Spring area) from East-West Highway/MD410 to Georgia Avenue/MD97, to begin on or about the week of May 6, 2013. The project should take 8 weeks weather permitting, with construction occurring overnight, between the hours of 8 pm and 5 am.

Permanent patching projects, in which crews make structural, permanent patche ...more

Nominations due by June 22: Annual Landscaping and Photography Contests

29 Apr 2013 14:57:00 EST

Nominations are being accepted for the Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) annual Keep Montgomery County Beautiful (KMCB) landscaping and photography competitions. Applications for both contests are due by June 22.

* The 27th Annual Landscape Contest is open to community groups, businesses, public institutions and other organizations undertaking landscaping projects that enhance the appearance of commonly owned sections of commercial or residential properties in Montgomery County. Landscaping along County roadsides, medians or other public locations is also eligible for the award.

* The subject categories for the 22nd Annual Amateur Photography Contest are Montgomery County by day or by night, County landmarks, people and those at work. Photos of County locations or residents are judged on effective composition, originality, interest, relevance of the ...more

Metro Update: April 26-28 Red Line maintenance

26 Apr 2013 16:53:00 EST

Metro will perform major track work over the weekend of April 26-28. The work will begin at 10 p.m. Friday and continue through system closing on Sunday.

Red Line Track Work

* Free shuttle buses will replace Red Line trains between the NoMa-Gallaudet U and Takoma stations.

* Two stations will be closed: Rhode Island Ave and Brookland-CUA. Fort Totten Station will be open for Green and Yellow line service only.

* Express buses will operate non-stop between Takoma and NoMa-Gallaudet stations. Customers using express buses should add about 20 minutes to their travel time. Local buses will operate between Takoma and NoMa-Galludet, with intermediate stops at Fort Totten, Brookland and Rhode Island Avenue stations. Customers using local buses should add about 30 minutes to their travel time.

* Customers traveling between the eastern side of the Red Line and Downtown destinations may wish to consider using Gr ...more