Flash BRT

File:MontgomeryCountyFlashBRTPlannedRoutes2025.png

Currently the only corridor in operation, Flash BRT service runs in two routes along U.S. 29, both beginning at the Silver Spring Metrorail station and extending northeast. The Blue route makes six total stops, ending at the Burtonsville park and ride. The Orange route makes eleven total stops, ending at the Briggs Chaney park and ride.

The line opened on October 14, 2020, replacing the previous Ride On Route 129.{{cite news |last1=Lazo |first1=Luz |title=The D.C. region's most ambitious try at bus rapid transit is coming to Montgomery County |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/the-dc-regions-most-ambitious-try-at-bus-rapid-transit-is-coming-to-montgomery-county/2020/10/01/845edbbc-01c3-11eb-b7ed-141dd88560ea_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=October 1, 2020}} Buses drive along the shoulder of U.S. 29 along the northern end of the route, with the remainder of the service using mixed-traffic roadways. Buses receive signal priority at some intersections.

Howard County has studied the possibility of extending the Flash line on the 29 corridor from Burtonsville to Maryland Route 99 in Ellicott City.{{cite web |url=https://www.howardcountymd.gov/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=d7DOB9h5TvU%3d&portalid=0 |title=Info|website=/www.howardcountymd.gov|access-date=November 18, 2020}}

Scheduled to open circa 2028, the Viers Mill corridor is planned to run along Veirs Mill Road between Wheaton Metrorail station and Rockville Metrorail station. The initial plan includes 11 stations, with a possible future extension to Montgomery College.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ridetheflash.com/veirs-mill/|title=FLASH on Veirs Mill|date=August 14, 2017|website=Ride the FLASH|access-date=August 3, 2019|archive-date=August 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190802221708/https://www.ridetheflash.com/veirs-mill/|url-status=dead}}

Scheduled to open circa 2029, the 355 corridor is planned to begin at Bethesda Metrorail station and run northwest along Maryland Route 355 through Rockville, Gaithersburg, Germantown, and Clarksburg.{{Cite web|url=https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dot-dte/projects/MD355BRT/|title=MD355 FlasH BRT|date=February 25, 2025|website=MD 355 Flash Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)|access-date=February 25, 2025}}

This proposed route would run from North Bethesda Metro station to Montgomery Mall. Early planning work is under way as of 2025 but no opening date has yet been announced.{{Cite web|url=https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dot-dte/projects/NorthBethesda/|title=North Bethesda Transitway|date=February 25, 2025|website=Ride the FLASH|access-date=February 25, 2025}}

This proposed route would run along New Hampshire Avenue between as yet undetermined end stations near the DC line and Colesville. Early planning work is under way as of 2025 but no opening date has yet been announced.{{Cite web|url=https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dot-dte/projects/NewHampshireAve/|title=New Hampshire Ave BRT planning|date=February 25, 2025|website=New Hampshire Flash Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)|access-date=February 25, 2025}}

File:Montgomery County Transit Ride On Nova Bus LFAS.jpg

The Montgomery Country Department of Transportation purchased 16 Nova Bus LFS articulated buses for the U.S. 29 line, which is based out of the Gaithersburg Garage. These buses can fit up to 80 passengers and feature level boarding, onboard bike racks, and an automatic wheelchair securement system.{{Cite web |last=Diegel |first=Mike |date=October 15, 2020 |title=County DOT Launches Flash Bus Rapid Transit Service |url=https://www.sourceofthespring.com/montgomery-county/county-dot-launches-flash-bus-rapid-transit-service/ |access-date=October 17, 2020 |website=Source of the Spring |location=Silver Spring, MD}} The buses are also equipped with a pedestrian sensor, which alerts the driver when people are passing in front of the bus. As with other Ride On buses, each bus also features a WiFi hotspot. Passengers can board or exit the bus through any of its three doors.

The FLASH also uses three 2008 Gillig Low Floor Transit buses (5737, 5744, 5746) branded in the FLASH scheme. Ride-On also use the 2008 Gilligs (5726-5746) not branded in the FLASH scheme occasionally.

File:FLASH Four Corners Station.jpg

There are approximately 45 stations proposed across the entire future network, with 12 stations currently operating on the US 29 routes. Each station includes a canopy, a seating area, and a fare payment machine that accepts SmarTrip cards along with traditional forms of payment, and a passenger information system that displays when the next bus is coming and a blue pylon mounted above the canopy that flashes when a bus is about to arrive.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}

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{{Transit In DC}}

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Category:Bus rapid transit in Maryland

Category:Proposed public transportation in Maryland

Category:Transportation in Montgomery County, Maryland

Category:2020 establishments in Maryland

Category:Transport infrastructure completed in 2020