Montgomery County’s US 29 Flash Bus Rapid Transit Plans Howard County Extension in 2026

For Immediate Release: Thursday, May 8, 2025

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced on Tuesday a partnership to expand the US 29 Flash Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service into Howard County by 2026. The project will build upon Montgomery County’s first BRT corridor, known as Flash, and expand it north to serve four proposed stops in Howard County.

Once completed, this would mark the first BRT service for Howard County, offering high-frequency transit that connects riders to major employment and activity centers across both counties. The extended service would enhance regional accessibility and provide connections to Metrorail, MARC Train and the future Purple Line. The US 29 Flash service currently runs between Downtown Silver Spring and Briggs Chaney with weekday rush-hour service to Burtonsville. The project will add four additional bus stops on the north end of the route in Howard County and provide Flash BRT service to these stops during weekday rush-hour periods.

“This portion of US 29 between Columbia and Silver Spring will ultimately connect to the larger Flash BRT network, which includes seven additional corridors and more than 100 stops across Montgomery County," said County Executive Elrich. "Flash BRT enables us to support higher-density development while strengthening connections between Montgomery and Howard counties. It’s a smart, sustainable investment that promotes economic growth, advances equity and moves people efficiently and responsibly.”

Earlier this year, Montgomery and Howard Counties entered a multi-year memorandum of understanding to initiate the Flash BRT partnership. On Tuesday, County Executives Elrich and Ball jointly signed a letter of intent outlining project goals and reaffirming their commitment to ongoing collaboration.

“First envisioned more than a decade ago, this Flash Bus Rapid Transit service will be a gamechanger for our economy, workforce and residents,” said County Executive Ball.  “We are delivering on this vision to deliver strong transit connections that are vital to supporting the needs of our residents, workforce and businesses. We know that to build a resilient and inclusive future, we must invest in affordable, efficient and high-quality public transportation that meets the needs of our community.  I want to thank my fellow County Executive Marc Elrich and our federal and state partners for realizing this project’s importance to Howard County and for helping make it a reality.”

Flash BRT is a fast, reliable and efficient transit system that will provide high-quality transit service along the US 29 corridor. Through this partnership, the existing US 29 Flash route between Silver Spring and Burtonsville will be expanded to include new stations in Maple Lawn, Downtown Columbia and the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL). Construction of the new bus stations in Howard County is expected to begin in fall 2025 and be completed by summer 2026. Montgomery County is preparing to receive four additional 40-foot Flash buses in summer 2026 to support the service extension.

“We’re excited to expand the US 29 Flash service to our neighbors in Howard County,” said Joana Conklin, Montgomery County Department of Transportation rapid transit system development manager. “Thanks to a $3.3 million federal grant and matching funds from Howard County, we’re able to invest in the new Flash buses needed to make this service extension a success. Taking a regional view when planning transit is essential to creating a connected, efficient and equitable network that meets the needs of all our communities.”

The US 29 corridor is the first of a total of eight planned Flash BRT routes in Montgomery County. A second corridor along Veirs Mill Road, from Rockville Pike to Downtown Wheaton, is expected to begin construction next year. Flash BRT corridors feature upgraded stations with raised boarding platforms, real-time information displays, lighting, seating, bike racks and enhanced pedestrian infrastructure. Flash BRT supports higher-density development while strengthening connections.

The Flash BRT extension has been recognized as a regional transportation priority at the Federal level. Maryland’s Congressional Delegation—led by then-Senator Ben Cardin, Senator Chris Van Hollen and Congressman John Sarbanes— secured $4.1 million in federal funding to support the project in Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024. This includes $3.35 million in Congressionally Directed Spending awarded to Montgomery County for the purchase of new Flash buses, and $750,000 in 2023 for Howard County for the design and construction of new BRT stations. Howard County also has committed approximately $3 million in local funding to support station construction and the acquisition of BRT vehicles.

Federal and Local Leaders Praise the Flash Expansion:

• Senator Chris Van Hollen – “Expanding Marylanders’ access to public transportation helps connect our communities and opens more doors of opportunity. That’s why we fought to deliver $4 million in federal funding to help Howard and Montgomery Counties expand their public transportation partnership to serve more residents – bringing the region together and boosting our economy.”

• Senator Angela Alsobrooks – "Team Maryland continues to drive economic progress and invest in our communities. I am proud that the US 29 Flash Bus Rapid Transit Service Extension project is officially launched and know that this fast, reliable transit system will serve Howard and Montgomery counties for generations to come. I want to thank County Executives Ball and Elrich for their tireless work on behalf of our communities.”

• Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth – “The expansion of the US 29 Flash Bus Rapid Transit Service into Howard County is a terrific example of strong local and federal partnership. With new stops in Maple Lawn, Downtown Columbia and the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, we are investing in our local economy and workforce by connecting Marylanders to even more workplaces and businesses. This is Team Maryland at its best: local, state and federal colleagues working together to deliver federal funding for high-quality transit solutions that meet the needs of our community.”

• Joe McAndrew, Assistant Secretary for Planning and Project Development, Maryland Department of Transportation – “MDOT is proud to support the Flash's extension into Howard County along US 29, a vital economic corridor. This bus rapid transit expansion will improve the commutes of many Maryland workers along the busy corridor and will help move more people safely, efficiently and reliably. The extension along a State Highway right of way shows the Moore Administration’s commitment to working together with local governments to leverage our roads to prioritize and efficiently connect people and goods to their end destination.”

• Erik Johnson, Chief of Staff, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory – “APL is Howard County’s largest private employer, and just under half of our nearly 9,000 staff members live in and commute to the Lab from Howard and Montgomery counties. This expansion is a great example of governments, businesses and communities working together to deliver improved infrastructure for the amazing people and innovative companies that call Howard County, Montgomery County and Maryland their home. I am confident that it will get ample use by our staff members, and that other local businesses and organizations – and the folks who work there – will benefit from this new line as well.”

• Clarence Dickerson, III, Administrator of the Howard County Office of Transportation – “Through collaborative efforts between Howard County and Montgomery County, we are excited to bring this over a decade-long project to fruition. We will enhance services by integrating real-time transit information, which will benefit both riders and local businesses, along with raised platforms for boarding, prefabricated transit shelter, bike racks, seating and lighting. The US 29 Flash Extension is a vital project that will improve connectivity within both communities.”

For information about Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) programs and services visit the MDOT website, follow @MCDOTNow on X, Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook and subscribe to MCDOT’s “Go Montgomery!” newsletter.  

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Release ID: 25-202
Media Contact: Emily DeTitta 240-372-2282
Categories: Transportation