Montgomery County Executive Elrich, and Council President Friedson to Lead the Opening Ceremony of the New Pink and Lime Bus Routes Monday, Sept. 9, in Rockville

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, September 3, 2024

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and County Council President Andrew Friedson will join other elected officials, community leaders and the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) for an opening ceremony and press event to mark the completion of the new Pink and Lime bus routes, part of the Great Seneca Transit Network, at 10 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 9, at the Traville Gateway Transit Center in Rockville.  

Designated as “Pink” and “Lime,” each of the new Ride On extRa service routes has endpoints at the Shady Grove Metrorail Station and the Traville Gateway Transit Center/Universities at Shady Grove. The Pink line goes down Shady Grove Road while the Lime line is an express route that goes down I-370 and Medical Center Drive. The service improves mobility and access to healthcare, biotech and education sectors as well as the hospitality hot spots, Rio and Downtown Crown.  

Speakers and special guests will arrive at the event via two decorated Pink and Lime extRa buses in a “race” from the Shady Grove Metro to highlight the faster service provided, not by speeding but by utilizing the red dedicated bus lanes and signal priority along portions of the route.

The new routes provide a high-frequency service with buses arriving every 10 –15 minutes on weekdays and 30 minutes on weekends. The project also features pedestrian and bicycle enhancements along the corridors and well-lit, modern, weather-protected bus stations with real-time monitoring for the next bus.  

WHAT: Bus Race, Opening Ceremony and Press Event for the Great Seneca Transit Network, Pink and Lime Bus Routes

WHEN: Monday, Sept. 9, 10 a.m. -11:30 a.m. 

WHERE: Traville Gateway Transit Center, located at Traville Gateway Drive and Gudelsky   Drive, next to the Universities at Shady Grove campus in Rockville. The outdoor   location will be to the left of the clock tower as you enter the shopping area from   Darnestown Road.  (Free parking is available in the Giant Food Parking lot.)

WHO:    

• Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich  

• Maryland Delegate Joe Vogel, District 17

• Montgomery County Council President Andrew Friedson  

• Council Vice President, Kate Stewart 

• Councilmember Evan Glass    

• Councilmember Marilyn Balcombe   

• Councilmember Dawn Luedtke 

• Councilmember Gabe Albornoz 

• Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles 

• Councilmember Natali Fani-Gonzalez 

• Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman 

• Rockville Mayor Monique Ashton 

•  Deputy Secretary Samantha Biddle of the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT)

• MCDOT Director Chris Conklin    

• Universities at Shady Grove, Executive Director Anne Khademian

PHOTO OP:  Speakers will board the decorated buses at the Shady Grove Metro at 9:45 a.m. At 10 a.m. the buses will make their way to the press event at Traville Gateway Transit Center, less than 20 minutes away. The first bus to arrive at the press event will drive through a large breakaway banner. Photos of speakers will be taken in front of the winning bus just before the speaking portion begins at 10:30 am. Gaithersburg High School’s pep band will be playing at the event.  

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Release ID: 24-108
Media Contact: Emily DeTitta, 240-372-2282