Here’s where Montgomery County’s public transit expansion stands

Montgomery County is expanding public transit services to keep up with its booming population.

The county government is investing $580 million in a bus rapid transit system, called the Flash Network, which uses dedicated bus lanes and traffic signal priority to move people faster. Since the system’s approval in 2013, the county has partially opened one of five proposed lines. The next isn’t scheduled to open until 2028.

Evan Glass, chair of the county council’s Transportation and Environment Committee, said the new lines are just one example of the historic investments the county has made to improve public transportation.

“These efforts have reflected the years of work that we’ve undertaken to make transit more accessible and equitable,” he said. “As we move into this new phase, we need to focus on reliability, on connectivity, and on accessibility.”

The regular county bus system, called Ride On, has seen a 5.4% increase in ridership from July-August 2024 to the same months this year, according to Ride On General Manager Phil McLaughlin. The system operates 83 fixed routes and carries 61,000 riders per day, making it the second largest transit system in the state.

Bus rapid transit program manager Joana Conklin said the county needs more bus lines because of increasing population density and employment. A recent county study projected the area will add 71,000 residents and 30,000 jobs by 2034.

“To responsibly accommodate this growth, we need to invest in high capacity, high reliability, high quality transit that gives people alternatives to driving,” Conklin said.

The Flash Network map is designed to do just that.

The lines are planned in popular areas with routes that connect centers of activity. Conklin said 12% of households within half a mile of a Flash station don’t own vehicles, so developing good transit is critical to provide opportunity in the county.

Along with dedicated bus lanes, the bus rapid transit system also expands pedestrian infrastructure, making it safer for people and bikes to get around.

Here’s what you need to know about each of the five lines:

US 29 Flash Route

The US 29 line has 12 stops from Silver Spring Transit Center to Briggs Chaney, plus an express ride from Silver Spring to Burtonsville. Service runs every 7-8 minutes during rush hour.

Phase one of the US 29 line opened in 2020 and cost $32 million to implement. It is the only operational bus rapid transit line in the county. But right now, the bus doesn’t have a dedicated traffic lane.

That’s part of phase two, for which the county is currently in the design phase.

The plan is to construct 5 miles of dedicated bus median lanes, which Bus Rapid Transit Implementation Manager Jamie Henson said could decrease inbound morning travel time by 40%.

The remaining improvements to the US 29 line remain unfunded, and there is not enough information to accurately estimate the overall cost, Henson said.

Veirs Mill Route

The bus line along Veirs Mill Road will be 7.6 miles long and connect 12 bus stations. In peak hours, the bus will run every 6-10 minutes, which is 10-20% faster than regular bus routes.

Veris Mill is in the early construction phase, securing the right of way and acquiring needed property from nearby owners. The county has contacted all landowners and is appraising and making offers. Heavier construction is set to start in 2026.

Henson said things are moving forward very quickly, and he expects the route to open in late 2028. The total cost of the project is estimated around $207 million.

Funding is a joint venture between local, state and federal governments. Only 9% of the money is coming from Montgomery County. The state is putting up 25% of the total, and the remaining 66% will come from federal funds.

MD 355 Central

The MD 355 will service 15.5 miles of Wisconsin Avenue and Rockville Pike with service every 4-8 minutes at peak hours from Gunners Branch to Rockville. The line will cost $450 million and is expected to open in 2031.

The county is still choosing a design builder. Henson said property acquisition and construction are expected to start in 2028. The county will rely less on federal funds for this project, since it is larger, Henson said.

Still, federal money will make up 47% of the budget, with the state giving 51% of the funds. That leaves just 2% for Montgomery County to make up.

New Hampshire Avenue

The county department of transportation is still in the planning stages for the two remaining rapid transit lines.

The New Hampshire line will run from Colesville to the Fort Totten Metro Station. Though many bus lines already serve the area, Henson said, building exclusive bus lanes will make both Ride On and rapid transit buses faster.

The transportation department will submit its feasibility studies to the planning department this fall. Then, the planning board will hear the proposal before it’s passed to the county council for a vote.

Henson said there is no cost estimate because it is too early to give an accurate number for the project.

North Bethesda Transitway

The North Bethesda Transitway will connect Westfield Montgomery Mall to the North Bethesda Metro Station. Similarly to the New Hampshire Avenue line, the transportation department is still finalizing plans for submission to the planning department. The department should submit those this winter, Henson said.

This line will serve a major redevelopment area and many high schools. Henson said there is no cost estimate because it is too early to give an accurate number for the project.