Ride the Flash - MCDOT Montgomery County, MD

Flash Transit Network Learn About Flash in Montgomery County

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FlashLights is Back for the Holidays on US 29! 

Take a photo of (or with) one of the decorated buses, share it on social media, and tag @MCDOTNow
for a chance to win a $25 gift card!

Contest runs November 25, 2024 – January 6, 2025. Weekly winners will be announced on Mondays.

Participants agree to grant MCDOT permission to use the photos for promotional, or other, purposes by participating in the contest.

Service on Colesville Road/Columbia Pike (US 29) with 12 stops from Silver Spring Transit Center to Briggs Chaney and Burtonsville.

When's the Next Bus?

Flash is ready when you are, with vehicles arriving every 15 minutes or less. Where routes overlap, service is every 7 – 8 minutes during rush hour on weekdays. Once you get to a Flash station, you can relax because a bus is only a few short minutes away!

Orange Route – Runs Every day

Runs every 15 minutes
Weekdays: 5:15 a.m. – 1 a.m. (Every 7 - 8 minutes during rush hour where routes overlap)
Weekends and Holidays: 5:30 a.m. – 1 a.m.
Operates between these stops:
- Paul S. Sarbanes (Silver Spring) Transit Center (Bay 229)
- Fenton Street
- Four Corners
- Burnt Mills
- Oak Leaf Drive
- F.D.A. (select trips)
- White Oak Transit Center
- April Lane
- Tech Road
- Castle Blvd
- Briggs Chaney

Blue Route – RUNS WEEKDAYS DURING RUSH HOURS ONLY

Runs every 15 minutes
Weekdays: 5:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (Every 7 - 8 minutes during rush hour where routes overlap)
Operates between these stops:
- Paul S. Sarbanes (Silver Spring) Transit Center (Bay 229)
- Fenton Street
- Four Corners
- Burnt Mills
- Tech Road
- Burtonsville

Click to enlarge

Pay your Flash Fare

Fare

Pay your fare at the Flash station before you board.

Flash is $1.00
SmarTrip is accepted and all discount fares apply
Free fare for:
- Seniors age 65 or older, with Senior SmarTrip® card, or Medicare Card and Photo ID
- Persons with disabilities, with Reduced Fare SmarTrip Card and their attendants
- Youth ages 18 and under, with Youth Cruiser SmarTrip card
Transfers
- Within Ride On System: Free
  - Valid within 2 hours of boarding
- To/from Metrobus: $1.00
- Metrorail to Ride On: $1.00

Ways to Pay

SmarTrip Card

Tap your card on the SmarTrip pay station at the bus stop

Mobile App

Add the SmarTrip app on a mobile device
Hold your mobile device over the SmarTrip reader until you feel a vibration and see a check mark on your display

Purchase Ticket

Locate the station ticket machine
- Press the green “Start” button and follow the directions
  - The machine accepts $1 and $5 bills, credit and debit cards (soon), Ride On tokens, and coins (except pennies) and does not give change
Keep your ticket as proof of payment
- Tickets are valid only until the expiration time shown (2 hours)
- Tickets are not accepted on Metrobuses but can be used to transfer to other MCDOT buses

Plan Your Trip

You can now use a mobile device to plan their next trip! Download one of the free apps below to choose your route, time, and more!

Ride On Trip Planner is an exciting new app allowing you to plan your trip along with the ability to see how crowded a bus is before boarding. This gives you control over your transportation experience.

Download the App: Apple Store or Google Play
Download the MCDOT Transit Map

Google

Download the App: Apple Store or Google Play
Google Maps

Accessibility & Station Features

Level Boarding: All Wheels Welcome

Flash offers level boarding or ramp access so you can easily enter or exit the bus.
Wheelchairs and scooters enter through the front door.

Wheelchairs

The driver can quickly deploy a bridge for a smooth entry. Every Flash bus has one traditional wheelchair securement area and one Quantum automatic securement system. The Quantum automatic securement system allows passengers to safely secure themselves without the drivers help (unless requested). Learn more about the Quantum system. Watch a video on how to use the Quantum system.

Strollers and Carts

With Flash you don't have fold up your strollers or carts. Every Flash station offers level boarding or ramps so there are no steps to get on or off the bus.

Bikes on Board

Bikes should enter through the rear door and can be easily secured on board. Flash has the first onboard bike racks in the region. Using the Interlock system is quick and easy: