MCDOT to Launch Expanded US 29 Flash Bus Rapid Transit Service with Four New Stops in Howard County Tuesday, Sept. 8 – Mocofeed

On Tuesday, Sept. 8, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will expand its US 29 Flash Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Blue Route to serve four new stops in Howard County. The Flash Blue Route will provide weekday, rush-hour service every 15-20 minutes from 5-9 a.m. and 3-8 p.m. between Downtown Silver Spring and Downtown Columbia.   

“The extension provides access to more jobs and more housing choices along one of our busiest corridors,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “This service connects Montgomery County residents to the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory and its 9,000 employees, and Howard County residents to the future Viva White Oak development, which is projected to bring 9,000 new jobs and 5,000 homes to our region. By taking a regional approach to transit, we are expanding access to opportunity and supporting smart, sustainable economic growth.” 

Flash is Montgomery County’s bus rapid transit system, offering high-frequency service and faster trips with dedicated bus lanes where possible, and extended green lights for Flash buses. The US 29 Flash BRT, which operates a daily Orange route and a weekday, rush-hour Blue route, has been in operation since October 2020. The US 29 Flash BRT is consistently ranked among the County’s most heavily used bus routes, serving more than 2,700 passengers each weekday and more than 16,000 passengers per week. 

The expansion will bring faster, more frequent bus service to four of Howard County’s most active hubs, with new stops at: 

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• Columbia — Merriweather Drive 

• Columbia — Little Patuxent Parkway 

• Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) 

• Maple Lawn Boulevard  

Upon opening, the Flash stops in Howard County will have temporary signage until permanent stations are put into place later this year. 

Flash BRT, like all Montgomery County Ride On buses, is free to ride since a fare-free policy was instated in June of 2025.  

“Flash is a fast, reliable, and efficient transit system that will serve the US 29 corridor, connecting Howard County communities to Metro service and the broader Washington DC region,” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. “We are excited to partner with Montgomery County to launch this landmark extension of the Flash Bus Rapid Transit service into Howard County, adding new stops and peak hour service to Maple Lawn, the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, and Downtown Columbia.” 

The new stations also bring increased connections to regional transit networks: 

• Riders from Montgomery County will gain direct access to the RTA transit system in Columbia, with expanded options to reach destinations in Howard, Anne Arundel, and Prince George’s Counties.  

• Riders from Howard County will be able to directly access more than 30 Ride On and Metrobus routes, Metrorail, MARC, and the future Purple Line via the Silver Spring Transit Center. These connections provide access across the metropolitan Washington region. 

“Flash provides an exciting and convenient new travel option on the US 29 corridor,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “The expanded service benefits both Montgomery and Howard County.  With this new service, Montgomery County residents can use transit to access the Columbia Mall and Merriweather District for shopping, dining, and job opportunities, and also access other major employment centers including the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. Howard County residents will have direct access to shopping, dining and cultural attractions in Downtown Silver Spring and can also access the wealth of opportunities throughout the National Capital Region by connecting to Metrorail, MARC, the Purple Line, and Metro’s and Ride On bus services at the Silver Spring Transit Center.”   

The project is the result of a partnership between Montgomery and Howard Counties. Howard County funded and is constructing, the new Flash stations, contributed local funds toward the purchase of new zero-emission electric buses, and is funding the operating cost of the service extension. Montgomery County will operate the service. Federal grants were also used in the vehicle purchases.  

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In addition to the Howard County expansion, MCDOT is also advancing projects along the US 29 Flash route to improve corridor travel time, increase pedestrian and bicycle access, and improve safe connections for all transportation modes along the corridor. Improvements include the addition of dedicated bus lanes, upgraded traffic signals, and safety enhancements for pedestrian and bicycle connections.