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Red Line Passengers Urged to Seek Alternatives During SafeTrack Surges in August: Surge #6 Begins August 1 and Will Affect the Entire Red Line; Surge #7 Begins August 9 with Greatest Impact at Shady Grove and Rockville

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, July 27, 2016

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) first surges to affect the Red Line begin next week: Surge #6 takes place August 1 through 7 and Surge #7 will be in effect August 9 to 18. These surges, and especially Surge #6, are expected to cause major delays on the entire Red Line -- the Metrorail system’s busiest line. Metro is urging commuters to find alternatives, particularly during weekday, peak travel hours.

Note: During Surges 6 and 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?

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

For Riders:

  • MCDOT is extending 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.
  • For Surge #6: Provide free Ride On “Red Line Shuttles” between the Silver Spring, Takoma and Fort Totten Metrorail stations and the Grosvenor--Strathmore, Medical Center, Bethesda and Friendship Heights stations weekdays every 10 minutes 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.
  • For Surge #7: Provide free Ride On “Red Line Shuttles” between the Grosvenor-Strathmore station and Shady Grove via I-270 weekdays every 10 minutes 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.
  • For Surge #7: 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.
  • Work with the Maryland Transit Administration to provide more MARC train cars on the Brunswick Line, sell tickets on some station platforms and provide tickets to MCDOT to sell at its TRiPS store in Silver Spring, 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.
  • Post bike route “SafeTrack Detour” signs at station entrances to connect West Hyattsville on the Green Line, with the Takoma, Silver Spring, Forest Glen, Wheaton and Glenmont stations.
  • 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.
  • Coordinate with Montgomery County Police to provide traffic control to improve bus operations at the Silver Spring Transit Center and other key locations.
  • Offer free Bikeshare memberships, training and helmets to qualified, low income residents through the MC Liberty program.

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.
  • Prohibit metered parking along MD 355, MD 97 and US 29 corridors to improve bus operations and traffic flow.

Educate Travelers:

  • Provide Ride On staff at affected Metro stations to assist passengers, direct them to shuttles and distribute information.
  • Hold “pop-up” events at Metrorail stations to educate passengers about upcoming surges.
  • 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.
  • Promote the Fare Share commuter benefits matching program in Transportation Management Districts and to major employers.

Critical Information About SafeTrack Surge #6, August 1-7

safetrack #6

 

  • This Surge affects the second highest number of passengers of all WMATA surges.
  • Continuous single tracking between Takoma and Silver Spring will result in major disruptions throughout the entire Red Line.
  • The number of trains running between Glenmont and Silver Spring will be cut in half; one quarter of the trains between Silver Spring and NoMa will be available; and service between NoMa and Grosvenor-Strathmore will be cut by a quarter.
  • Anticipate significant Metrorail delays that could add an hour each way to commutes.
  • Red Line passengers are urged to seek alternate transportation, telework or ride at off-peak hours.

What to Expect on Metrorail During Surge #6

On weekdays

  • Between Shady Grove and NoMa, Red Line trains will run every six minutes during peak periods and every 12 minutes during midday and evenings.
  • Between Glenmont and Grosvenor-Strathmore, Red Line trains will run every 12 minutes.
  • After 10 p.m., trains will run every 15 minutes.

On weekends

  • Train frequencies may vary.

Transportation Alternatives

Ride a Bus

  • Take a free Ride On “Red Line Shuttle” between Silver Spring, Takoma and Fort Totten Metrorail stations weekdays every 10 minutes from 5:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Connect to the Green/Yellow Line at Fort Totten. Look for shuttles at the following locations:
    • Silver Spring (southbound only): Colesville Road (between Wayne Avenue and the Metrorail entrance)
    • Takoma (northbound and southbound): Bus Bay A
    • Fort Totten (northbound only): Alighting Bus Bay (left of main entrance)
  • Take a free Ride On “Red Line Shuttle” between Grosvenor-Strathmore, Medical Center, Bethesda and Friendship Heights stations weekdays every 10 minutes from 5:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Look for shuttles at the following locations:
  • Grosvenor-Strathmore (southbound only) - Bay D
  • Medical Center (southbound) - Bay D
  • Medical Center (northbound) - Bay E
  • Bethesda - Bay A
  • Friendship Heights (northbound only) - Bay K
  • Route 80 weekday peak service connecting downtown DC and Fort Totten
  • Route Y7 weekday peak service between Olney and Silver Spring
  • MetroExtra S9 limited stop service midday between Silver Spring and McPherson Square
  • Check other bus options

Ride the Metrorail Green/Yellow Line

Take MARC Train

which will add extra rail cars.

  • Try the Brunswick Line,which has stations in Rockville, Metropolitan Grove, Garrett Park, Kensington, Silver Spring and Union Station (limited parking available near Garrett Park and Kensington stations).
  • 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 and Silver Spring during peak travel times.
      • 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.)
    • Silver Spring TRiPS store at the Silver Spring Transit Center, Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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.

Consider signing up for the County’s FareShare program for employers that allows them to buy-down the cost of transit or vanpooling for their employees. Contact Montgomery County Commuter Services at 240-777-8380 or email.

Try Biking

  • Ride to the West Hyattsville Green/Yellow Line station.
    • Look for MCDOT’s bike route “SafeTrack Detour” signs that begin at station entrances at the Takoma, Silver Spring, Forest Glen, Wheaton and Glenmont stations.  
    • Route distances along the Sligo Creek Trail, with local street connections, range from about five miles betweenTakoma and West Hyattsville to 11.6 miles between Glenmont and West Hyattsville.
  • Use the Georgetown Branch Trail between Silver Spring, Bethesda and Georgetown.
    • This signed trail combines on-street travel with a gravel and paved path.
    • Route distances are 5.7 miles between Silver Spring and Bethesda and 12.1 miles between Silver Spring and Georgetown.
  • Use Capital Bikeshare.
    • Access Capital Bikeshare in Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Friendship Heights, Bethesda, Chevy Chase Lake, 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 Montgomery County 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.
  • Join a “Learn the Route” free, guided ride, co-sponsored by Montgomery County Commuter Services and led by the Washington Area Bicyclist Association. Call 240-777-8380 or email for more information.

Consider Driving as a Last Resort

For those with limited choices, driving may be the best option, but expect more traffic congestion than usual.

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

safetrack #7

  • Red Line passengers are encouraged to avoid Shady Grove and Rockville stations.
  • Continuous single tracking between Shady Grove and Rockville means only one-third of the regular service will be available during peak hours.
  • Red Line passengers on the west side of the Red Line are urged to seek alternate transportation, telework or ride at off-peak hours.

What to Expect on Metrorail During Surge #7

  • Red Line trains will serve Shady Grove and Rockville every 18 minutes, rather than every six minutes during peak periods.
  • Other Red Line trains will have nearly normal service.

Transportation Alternatives

Ride a Bus

  • Take a free Ride On “Red Line Shuttle” between the Grosvenor-Strathmore and Shady Grove stations via I-270 weekdays every 10 minutes 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 and Rockville via White Flint and Twinbrook stations. Regular fares apply.
  • Check other bus options

Board Metrorail at Other Red Line Stations

  • Board 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.

Take MARC Train,

which will add extra rail cars.

  • Try the Brunswick Line,which has stations in Rockville, Metropolitan Grove, Garrett Park, Kensington, Silver Spring and Union Station (limited parking available near Garrett Park and Kensington stations).
  • 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 and Silver Spring during peak travel times.
      • 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.)
    • Silver Spring TRiPS store at the Silver Spring Transit Center, Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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.

Consider signing up for the County’s FareShare program for employers that allows them to buy-down the cost of transit or vanpooling for their employees. Contact Montgomery County Commuter Services at 240-777-8380 or email.

Try Biking

  • Use Capital Bikeshare.
    • Access Capital Bikeshare in Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Friendship Heights, Bethesda, Chevy Chase Lake, 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.
  • Join a “Learn the Route” free, guided ride, co-sponsored by Montgomery County Commuter Services and led by the Washington Area Bicyclist Association. Call 240-777-8380 or email for more information.

Consider Driving as a Last Resort

For those with limited choices, driving may be the best option, but expect more congestion than usual.

To improve Metrorail safety and reliability, WMATA has accelerated its maintenance of Metrorail to complete three years’ worth of work in one year. This effort is limiting service in certain areas at scheduled times, which Metro is calling Safety Surges. Montgomery County will be most affected by Surges 6, 7 and 10.

For more information, visit Montgomery County SafeTrack, Metro SafeTrack Surge #6, 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 from August 1 through 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.

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Release ID: 16-439
Media Contact: Esther Bowring 240-777-7155