Red Line Passengers Who Use Shady Grove and Rockville Stations Are Urged to Seek Alternatives During SafeTrack Surge #7, Which Runs August 9 through 18

For Immediate Release: Monday, August 8, 2016

Red Line Passengers Who Use Shady Grove and Rockville Stations Are Urged to Seek Alternatives During SafeTrack Surge #7, Which Runs August 9 through 18

The second Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) Red Line surge -- Surge #7 -- will be in effect August 9 through 18. During this time, Red Line trains will be continuously single-tracking between the Twinbrook and Shady Grove stations August 9-12 and 15-18. On those days, Red Line trains will serve Shady Grove and Rockville stations every 25 minutes, rather than every six minutes during peak periods. All other Red Line Stations will have near-normal service on those days. Metro is urging commuters to avoid the Shady Grove and Rockville stations, particularly during weekday, peak travel hours.

Additionally, on August 13 and 14, WMATA will shut down Shady Grove, Rockville, Twinbrook and White Flint stations. Free bus shuttles will replace trains from Shady Grove to Grosvenor-Strathmore from 7:00 a.m. Saturday through closing Sunday.

Note: During Surge #7, Montgomery County’s 311 Call Center is extending its hours to assist commuters and will operate from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday.

What is MCDOT Doing to Help Travelers During SafeTrack Surge #7?

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is assisting travelers during SafeTrack as outlined below.

For Riders:

• Provide free Ride On “Red Line Shuttles” that will run non-stop between the Grosvenor-Strathmore station and Shady Grove station via I-270 weekdays every 10 minutes from 5:30 to 10 a.m. and 2:30 to 7 p.m.
• Extend peak-hour service on its free shuttles to 4 ½ hours in both the morning and afternoon to encourage commuters to travel before 7 a.m. or after 9 a.m. and before 4 p.m. or after 6 p.m.
• Provide enhanced Ride On Route 46 bus service (which operates between Montgomery College-Rockville and Medical Center), increasing frequency between Grosvenor-Strathmore and Rockville via White Flint and Twinbrook stations to every 10 minutes during peak travel times. (Regular fare required.)
• Work with the Maryland Transit Administration to sell tickets at the Rockville platform for the MARC Brunswick Line. and MARC will provide MCDOT with tickets to sell at its TRiPS store in the Silver Spring Transit Center, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m
• Provide commuter services assistance, including telework, alternate work schedules, carpooling, vanpooling and use of car-sharing.
• Co-sponsor “Learn the Route” free, guided bike rides in advance of each SafeTrack surge. 
• Create an interactive map of Park and Ride Lot options, including hot links to provide directions and bus route and schedule information to and from the lots. (Please use Google Chrome browser to access the map.) Coordinate with Montgomery County and Rockville Police to provide traffic control to improve bus operations at key locations.
• Offer $2 one-way Capital Bikeshare trips – can be purchased with credit card at any Bikeshare station.
• Offer free Bikeshare memberships, training and helmets to qualified, low income residents through the MC Liberty program.
• Supplement the free buses on August 13 and 14 with 10 Montgomery County Ride On buses that will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. providing service to every Metro station from Shady Grove to Grosvenor-Strathmore.  

For Drivers:

• Monitor traffic flow and adjust traffic signals in areas most affected by SafeTrack to improve bus operations and traffic flow.
• Suspend MCDOT road repair projects along key commuter routes affected by surges.
• Request that the Maryland State Highway Administration restrict lane closures and construction projects along key routes affected by surges.

Educate Travelers:

• Provide Ride On staff at affected Metro stations to assist passengers, direct them to the non-stop shuttles and distribute information.
• Post interior and exterior Ride On bus and bus shelter ads.
• Display informational posters at all Transit Centers.
• Use social and traditional media to communicate with customers and the public.
• Encourage employers to offer discounted transit fares to their employees through the County FareShare commuter benefits matching program in Transportation Management Districts. These discounted transit fares can help offset the increased time and disruption employees may experience during their commutes.

Critical Information About SafeTrack Surge #7, August 9-18

• Red Line passengers are encouraged to avoid Shady Grove and Rockville stations August 9-12 and 15-18.
• Continuous single tracking on August 9-12 and 15-18 between Shady Grove and Rockville means only one-third of the regular service will be available during peak hours (25 minutes between trains.)
• Red Line passengers who use the Shady Grove and Rockville stations on weekdays are urged to seek alternate transportation, telework or ride at off-peak hours.
• Shady Grove, Rockville, Twinbrook and White Flint stations will be closed August 13 and 14, with buses replacing trains.

What to Expect on Metrorail During Surge #7

• On August 9-12 and 15-18, Red Line trains will serve Shady Grove and Rockville every 25 minutes, rather than every six minutes during peak periods. Other Red Line trains will have nearly normal service.
• On August 13 and 14, free buses will replace trains between Shady Grove and Grosvenor-Strathmore stations, running from 7 a.m. Saturday through closing Sunday.

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Transportation Alternatives

Ride a Bus

• Take a free Ride On “Red Line Shuttle”, which run non-stop between the Grosvenor-Strathmore station (Bus Bay D) and the Shady Grove station (Bus Bay E) via I-270 every 10 minutes on weekdays from 5:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. MCDOT is extending peak-hour service to 4 ½ hours in both the morning and afternoon.
• Take the enhanced Ride On Route 46 bus. Ride On will increase bus frequency to every 10 minutes during peak travel times between Grosvenor-Strathmore (Bay E) and Rockville (Bay A) via White Flint and Twinbrook stations. Regular fares apply.
• Take the enhanced Metro Q6 bus. Metro will increase bus frequency during peak travel times along this route, which connects Shady Grove and Rockville stations to Wheaton and Silver Spring Metro stations running along Veirs Mill Road.
• On weekday evenings, access additional MTA buses to Frederick and Hagerstown. MTA Commuter Bus Service will operate regular service to Shady Grove. In the event commuters are delayed arriving to Shady Grove for the last buses to Frederick and Hagerstown on August 9th-12th and 15th-18th, there will be two extra buses departing Shady Grove. The departure times are below.
  • Route 505 departing Shady Grove at 7:45pm.
  • Route 515 departing Shady Grove at 7:40pm. 
• Take a free WMATA or Ride On bus shuttle on August 13 or 14 if travelling between Shady Grove and Grosvenor-Strathmore. Free bus shuttles will replace trains from 7:00 a.m. Saturday through closing Sunday along this portion of the Red Line.
• Check other bus options
  • Check Park and Ride Lot options using this updated,interactive map (Google Chrome recommended)
  • Ride On
  • Metrobus    

Board Metrorail at Other Red Line Stations

• On August 9-12 and 15-18, board Metrorail at Twinbrook, White Flint or Grosvenor rather than at Shady Grove or Rockville
• Parking is typically available at Twinbrook and White Flint. Check availability on this map.
• On August 13 or 14, board Metrorail at Grosvenor-Strathmore rather than Shady Grove, Rockville, Twinbrook or White Flint stations.

Take MARC Train

• Try the Brunswick Line, which has stations in Rockville, Metropolitan Grove, Garrett Park, Kensington, Silver Spring and Union Station (very limited parking available near Garrett Park and Kensington stations). MARC will add cars to selected trains during SafeTrack Surge #7.
• Connect with Ride On at many MARC stations. Enter station name here to view transit options.
• Buy MARC train tickets at the station or in advance:
  • In Person:
    • Use Quik-Trak ticket vending machines at some stations.
    • On the platform from MARC staff at Rockville during peak travel times.
    • At the TRiPS Commuter Store on the 2nd level of the Silver Spring Transit Center, Monday-Friday, 7 am to 5 pm. 
• Cost of one-way ticket between Rockville and Silver Spring is $5
• Cost of one-way ticket between Rockville and Union Station is $6.
• Onboard with cash only; $20 denominations or less. (Note: MARC charges a $5 surcharge for onboard purchases.)

Online: www.mta.commuterdirect.com (Note: When purchasing a ticket, use “Washington, DC” for Union Station.)

Explore Commuter Services Options

• View Montgomery County’s telework video and webinar or receive free, expert consulting services from Montgomery County Commuter Services. Call 240-777-8380 or email.
• Consider allowing employees to flex their time.
• Attention Employers:  Consider signing up for the County’s FareShare program that allows employers to buy-down the cost of transit or vanpooling for their employees – at a greatly-reduced cost because the County pays for part of the fare.
• These discounted transit fares can help offset the increased time and disruption employees may experience during SafeTrack.
• Contact Montgomery County Commuter Services at 240-777-8380 or email. 

Try Biking

• Use Capital Bikeshare.
  • Access Capital Bikeshare in Rockville or Shady Grove. See full station map online,
  • Use a credit card for a $2 single trip fare, good for up to 30 minutes, or an $8 daily fare.
  • Limited income residents can call Commuter Services at 240-777-8380 to learn about eligibility for a free, annual, Bikeshare membership.
• Plan your ride by checking the Montgomery County Planning Department’s Level of Traffic Stress map.

Consider Driving as a Last Resort

• For those with limited choices, driving may be the best option, but expect more congestion than usual.
• Drive, park and ride. Check Park and Ride Lot options using this interactive map of Park and Ride Lot options, including hot links to provide directions and bus route and schedule information to and from the lots.  (Please use Google Chrome browser to access the map.)
• Check Commuter Connections for ride-sharing information or contact Montgomery County Commuter Services for assistance at 240-773-8747.
• Try a car share vehicle. Montgomery County offers Zipcars located in on-street parking spaces in certain areas and at some parking garages.  Go to www.zipcar.com to see exact locations.

For more information, visit Montgomery County SafeTrack, Metro SafeTrack Surge #7 or Montgomery County Commuter Services. 

Montgomery County’s 311 Call Center is extending its hours to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday through August 18. Call 311 from within the County, 240-777-0311 from outside the County or use Maryland Relay Services. Online help from 311 is always available.

Release ID: 16-439
Media Contact: Lorraine Driscoll 240-777-6507