MCDOT-Flash-Bus-Rapid-Transit

MONTGOMERYCOUNTY MARYLAND

BUS RAPID TRANSIT

FLASH BUS RAPID TRANSIT

ABOUT FLASH BRT

Nationally, there is a movement towards upgraded bus systems that focus on faster, more convenient, and reliable bus services, known as Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). BRTs are known to have limitedstop bus service, much like light rail, implemented along set routes in metropolitan areas across the US and worldwide.

Flash is different from typical bus service in that it is designed to arrive every few minutes, has upgraded amenities, pre-boarding payment, priority traffic light signaling, and dedicated lanes where possible.

Flash offers amenities such as level boarding for wheelchairs, strollers and bikes, easy-to-use bike racks, and free Wi-Fi and USB charging and the vehicles stop at each of the state-of-the-art stations so there is no need to pull a cord.

Public transportation plays an important role in the daily lives of Montgomery County residents and visitors, providing access to work, schools, shopping, daily activities, and more. Public transportation connects communities by getting people where they need to go quickly and efficiently. Flash service fosters equitable communities by providing reliable mobility. It also boosts the local economy, provides sustainable transportation options, and supports a healthier, hassle-free lifestyle.

Montgomery County has laid out an ambitious agenda to develop a Countywide Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system – called the Flash –that will provide high-frequency and high-capacity bus service that mimics light rail.

The Flash BRT network consists of eight connected corridors that will unlock development potential and increase job access. Flash will allow for convenient access across Montgomery County with connections to wider transportation hubs such as Metro, Mark commuter rail service and the upcoming Purple Line light rail.

This BRT system is the fastest and most fiscally responsible solution to support the needs of Montgomery County’s growing population and economic development that will ultimately benefit the tax revenue generated for the state of Maryland.

Additionally, the project reduces greenhouse gas emissions removing up to 90 cars for each bus, and using zero emisson buses.

With the same fare of other Ride On buses, $1, the Flash system is equitable, providing wide access to opportunity throughout the region.

TRANSIT

The majority of the County’s BRT program will be constructed and operated within rights-of-way owned by the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT-SHA). The County and MDOT-SHA have a strong record of partnership in advancing BRT. MDOT-SHA led initial studies for the County’s Georgia Avenue, Veirs Mill Road, US 29, and MD 355 BRT corridors.

Presently, the State and County are actively working together on the Veirs Mill Road (MD 586) BRT and MD 355 BRT designs.

Montgomery County is thankful for the State support that has allowed for the advancement of Flash BRT and allowed for the leveraging of federal funding that would otherwise be inaccessible to the County.

NEED IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Flash BRT is the fastest and most fiscally responsible solution to support Montgomery County’s population growth and future development.

With over 1 million residents, Montgomery County is projected to have an 18% increase in population by 2050, from 1.06 million to 1.25 million residents. Employment in the county is projected to grow by 29% by 2050, from 493,6000 to 636,500 jobs.*

Currently, the cost per driver, per year due to traffic congestion is $2,465. A total of 99 hours are lost annually due to traffic congestion. As population and job growth numbers expand, more people will rely on Flash BRT.**

*Montgomery County Planning Department, The Third Place, 2023

** TRIP Report, 2023.

Public transportation and safe infrastructure foster a vibrant economy. Each Flash BRT project includes substantial infrastructure buildout that enhances safety and creates convenient, walkable and bikeable connections. These projects support economic revitalization and redevelopment.

Cities with well developed public transportation systems are more attractive to investors and invite placemaking, drawing more visitors into Maryland.

Every $10 million in capital investment in public transportation yields $30 million in increased business sales.

Every $10 million in transportation operating investment yields $32 million in increased business sales.

Home values are 24% higher near public transportation than in other areas (2023).

- American Public Transportation Association, 2023 Transportation Facts

EQUITY

Public transportation serves as a lifeline for many marginalized communities. The majority of Black and Latino households nationally depend on public transit and seniors 65+ make up 30% of all riders.

The planed Flash BRT corridors will serve the County’s Equity Emphasis Areas which depend on public transit for essential travel to work, school, medical appointments and more.

Public transit is significantly more affordable than owning and maintaining a car. On average, individuals can save over $8,000 annually by using public transportation.

Unless otherwise noted, statistics from the American Public Transportation Association, 2023.

In 2018, Montgomery County’s average income was $108,000, while the average Montgomery County bus rider has an income of $35,000.*

Flash BRT, allows for fast and dependable transportation for the people who need it the most. These projects connect communities and advance opportunities that may otherwise be out of reach.

The Union of Concerned Scientists notes that low-income communities and communities of color often bear a disproportionate burden of air pollution from transportation sources. With a climate goal of a zero-emission fleet by 2035, Flash BRT projects will reduce air pollution and mitigate the impact of transportation related emissions, which constitutes 42% of all greenhouse gas in the county.

*MCDOT Fare Equity Study, 2021

HISTORY OF BRT DEVELOPMENT IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY

The Washington D.C. region is rated among the most congested in the nation, with average commute times exceeding 35 minutes. To meet critical transportation needs in a cost effective, equitable and environmentally sound manner, Montgomery County’s solution focuses on improving transit. This strategy began in 2011, when MCDOT published a Feasibility Study Report to evaluate a 150-mile Bus Rapid Transit network, followed by the work of the Transit Task Force in 2012. These efforts laid the groundwork to modify and adopt a transformational Countywide Transit Corridors Functional Master Plan in 2013 that envisions an 102-mile BRT Network on ten corridors throughout the county. Since 2013, MCDOT has been working on implementation of this network.

The Flash system map below shows that this is truly a regional service, including terminal points in the District of Columbia, and two that connect to Prince George’s County. In addition, Montgomery County is partnering with Howard County to extend the US 29 Flash Service that opened in 2020 to downtown Columbia within the next couple of years. This network links major employment centers with residential areas, provides links to the Metrorail Red Line, the MARC Train and connects to the Purple Line, now under construction.

Since the adoption of the Master Plan, MCDOT has steadily worked to implement it. The County created its BRT System Development Project in 2013 to provide funding for the initial steps and supporting studies for BRT corridors and programmatic efforts for the system.

The state has dedicated $96 million so far in both the bond bills and the Governor’s Operating Budget. The county has invested nearly $27 million towards this effort through FY23 and has programmed an additional $6 million through FY28. Under this program, the County prioritized the Flash corridors into two phases.

Phase 1 includes five Flash BRT corridors along MD Route 355, US Route 29, New Hampshire Avenue, Veirs Mill Road and the North Bethesda Transitway. It also includes a new depot to support growth in the vehicle fleet and transition to zero-emission buses.

Despite the significant investments at the local, state and federal level, funding is needed to implement the remainder of Phase 1. To identify the funding and financing mechanisms necessary to meet this challenge, the County established a Committee on Funding Montgomery County’s Infrastructure Needs in 2022.

Committee members included the development community, state and local elected officials, and senior leaders in County government with expertise in planning, transportation, finance and budgeting.

A key recommendation of the Committee has already been implemented. In 2023, the Maryland legislature enacted legislation dedicating at least $20 million annually to Montgomery County for BRT. The Committee estimated that the cost to complete Phase 1 of the portfolio is approximately $2.7 billion which exceeds the County’s ability to fund and finance using current practice by $1.1 billion.

“We have a huge population that has a very difficult time getting to work if they don't drive. I wanted to make sure that residents have a transit network that is efficient and gets them where they want to go. I also know that if we are going to support economic development in this region, we must have quality transportation that serves it. I wanted to start making these kinds of investments to open up economic opportunities for people and businesses, but also to help the people that commute have an easier time.”

- Marc Elrich Montgomery County County Executive