Maryland's First Bus Rapid Transit Line Breaks Ground

SILVER SPRING, MD — Maryland officials held a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday to mark the start of construction for the state’s first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line. The BRT, called FLASH, is set to open in 2020 and will run along US 29 in an effort to provide reliable transportation for residents, ease congestion on roadways, and encourage economic growth in the area. The 14-mile, 11-station BRT line will stretch from Burtonsville to downtown Silver Spring, according to a press release.

Montgomery County officials say that each bus – which can carry as many as 90 riders – will operate more frequently and make fewer stops than existing Ride On buses. FLASH will run every seven-and-a-half minutes during rush hours and every 15 minutes during off-peak hours.

Additionally, all buses will use the shoulder as a designated travel lane in the northern section of the US 29 corridor. In the southern section of the corridor, FLASH will mix with traffic. The buses will also get transit signal priority at up to 15 intersections, according to officials.

“In 2016, I laid out a plan to put a practical, cost-effective, world-class transit option on the ground within four years, and I am very proud to see the realization of that vision today as we break ground for the first BRT line in the State of Maryland,” Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett said.

Leggett, who will leave office at the end of the year, emphasized the importance of having a bus rapid transit system in Montgomery County.

“The future economic vitality of our county depends on increased transportation investments to accommodate more residents and to encourage job growth. The US 29 BRT will unlock this economic potential for our eastern county – and it’s already begun. The FLASH will serve the Food and Drug Administration and VIVA White Oak, where just this week, I celebrated the groundbreaking for this major, mixed-use development,” Leggett said.

"This really shows how a government can work," Democratic Rep. John Sarbanes said. "This is based on getting a lot of input from the community, navigating different perspectives on what the transportation solutions should be and could be for this area – and I think arriving at a terrific, what has become, a model. I mean, the BRT, this rapid transit now is getting increasing attention across the country. Montgomery County is putting a stake in the ground in terms of leading on this – showing how you do it."

Construction of the BRT line along US 29 will cost approximately $31 million – of which $10 million will be funded by a U.S. Department of Transportation TIGER grant, officials said.

Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen, who also spoke at Thursday's groundbreaking ceremony, expressed his support for the federal grant, as well as his commitment to providing Maryland the resources for transportation system improvements.

Montgomery County Council President Hans Riemer said it was necessary to modernize and improve the county's transit system.

“This is a big step forward for Montgomery County and it really represents a different approach to transportation. This is an amazing new iteration of our commitment to mobility and our recognition that we have to take bus service to the next level,” said Riemer.

“We have to reinvent or transform bus service and make it a high-quality choice where we can attract not only riders who have options but provide great service for people who don’t. To me what this bus represents is what the bus has always represented to me, which is independence and freedom," Riemer added.

According to a press release, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation is also planning FLASH routes along MD 355 and MD 586. FLASH service on MD 355 will operate between Bethesda and Clarksburg; and FLASH service on MD 586 will run between Rockville and Wheaton, officials said.

In addition, Montgomery County and the state of Maryland is working with Howard County to make BRT a bi-county service, according to a press release. Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman also attended the ceremony.

Photo by Alessia Grunberger/Patch

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