Montgomery and Howard Counties Team Up to Expand Transit Along US-29
HOWARD COUNTY, Md. ( DC News Now ) – The neighboring Maryland counties of Montgomery and Howard are teaming up to enhance commuting experiences. Local leaders announced a fresh transportation collaboration set to launch at the beginning of next year.
Four additional bus stops in Howard County will now be integrated into Montgomery County’s Flash Bus Rapid Transit System. According to Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, this integration aims to alleviate traffic along U.S. Route 29 and provide new travel options for residents of both counties.
Elrich mentioned that he has been striving to secure a transit partnership agreement for an extended period.
It took roughly 14 years to come together," he stated. "When I served as a council member focusing on bus rapid transit, it was my office that crafted the plan.
He took the plan to then-Howard County Executive Ken Ulman to talk about the benefits it could have for both counties.
“Because it would make it easier for people to go both ways in terms of finding opportunities,” Elrich said. “But the big thing is 29. A lot of residents from Howard County come down 29, and we wanted to alleviate that.”
The U.S. Route 29 FLASH bus service commenced operations in 2020, providing transportation between Silver Spring and Burtonsville. The collaboration aims to introduce an additional four stops located further north from Burtonsville.
“Elrich mentioned that they have Flash buses operating on route 29. These buses will end up using designated lanes, which is expected to significantly improve passenger movement.”
Elrich stated that this collaboration will provide easier access to major transportation centers such as Metro, MARC Train, and the upcoming Purple Line.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This content must not be republished, rebroadcasted, rewritten, or distributed without permission.For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live.
No comments