DOT Transportation Engineering Projects
Transit Project
The Great Seneca Transit Network (GSTN) will provide frequent transit options, improving mobility and access to crucial jobs in the healthcare, biotech, and education sectors. GSTN is a crucial factor in supporting the continued growth of the burgeoning medical sciences industry by providing new efficient options to travel. GSTN will improve transit equity for all residents by connecting riders to jobs, healthcare providers, and medical facilities without auto use.
The network will be implemented in two phases. Phase 1 includes the Lime Line and the Pink Line. Phase 2 includes two additional routes (Cobalt Line and Gray Line) and an extension of the Lime Line.
MCDOT is advancing the initial phase of the project (Phase 1A) through planning, design, and construction. This phase includes opening the service with new bus stops at all the recommended station locations, dedicated bus lanes on the Pink and Lime Lines, and Transit Signal Priority (TSP) upgrades for traffic signals on the Pink Line. Montgomery County has funded Phase 1A of the project through design and construction.
In March 2023, MCDOT held a Public Information Session as well as pop-up events around the community. Informational pop-ups were held at Shady Grove Metro Station on March 1 and at Rio Lakefront on March 11. A virtual public meeting with the MCDOT project ream was held on March 15. The summaries of each event, as well as the presentation materials and notes are available below.
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MCDOT revised the route alignments in fall 2022 with input from key stakeholders to maximize service coverage and ridership potential.
Phase 1A (Pink and Lime lines) will connect the Shady Grove Metrorail station to the Traville Transit Center at the Universities of Shady Grove. The refined route alignments provide the following benefits:
The routes were selected to increase the overall bus coverage and maximize access to existing and future development in the Great Seneca Science Corridor and the Life Sciences Center.
GSTN will operate as enhanced bus routes branded as Ride On extRa service. Schedules will be designed to meet shift/class changes at Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center and the Universities at Shady Grove, and will not be limited to traditional 9-to-5 commuting and working hours. A 14-hour span of service on weekdays and frequent, consistent headways accommodate the all-day schedules of the science and student sector, as shown below:
The bus shelter design includes a roof for sun and rain protection, built-in lighting, a real-time information display screen, trash can and a bench. A standalone pillar with GSTN branding and identification as a Ride On extRa service will be provided at all stations. Stations will be located at the curb and accommodate a 40-foot bus.
Dedicated bus lanes provide greater separation from other vehicular traffic and improved reliability for buses through quicker travel times. All proposed GSTN Phase 1A dedicated lanes will be constructed via repurposing the existing curbside mixed traffic and parking lanes. Right turning vehicles can also use the bus lanes to turn right at intersections where marked. The dedicated lane treatments vary by route. MCDOT will implement the dedicated bus lanes in consultation with the City of Gaithersburg, which has jurisdiction over Decoverly Drive in Crown Farm. MCDOT will also coordinate with the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) for bus lanes that intersect with State roads, the Diamondback/Broschart intersection with MD 28 (Key West Avenue).
While some parts of the street network have off-street shared use paths or separated bike lanes, many streets on the GSTN alignments provide no dedicated bicycle facilities. MCDOT will identify portions of the dedicated bus lanes that may be designated as shared bus and bike lanes. In the absence of off-street/separated bicycle facilities, repurposing existing travel lanes for shared bus/bike mobility and short-term implementation is compatible with expanding bicycle access to the area. These facilities can be easily modified based on future dedicated bicycle facility projects (i.e., LSC Loop Trail) and redevelopment, consistent with guidance in the Countywide Bicycle Master Plan.
To support the proposed high-frequency service, maintain schedule adherence, and enhance reliability, MCDOT will add Transit Signal Priority (TSP) systems at several intersections on the Pink Line. TSP is a traffic signal controller technology that MCDOT uses at numerous other signalized intersections to prioritize signal phases for buses.
The Pink Line alignment includes a significant segment of Shady Grove Road between the Shady Grove Metro station and the LSC. Shady Grove Road is a high-volume arterial corridor and dedicated lane treatments are not proposed for Shady Grove Road in Phase 1A. Recommendations from the GSTN planning phase included implementing TSP on Shady Grove Road to provide enhanced bus progression, particularly during peak periods when traffic congestion is typical on the corridor.
MCDOT is assessing TSP feasibility at the following signals:
Pedestrian enhancements play a crucial role in the rider experience. Stations will be located as close as possible to intersections and crosswalks to promote pedestrian safety and connectivity for riders. Crosswalks at signalized intersections will be upgraded to high-visibility crosswalks, where necessary. At signalized intersections, ADA ramps and station area sidewalk improvements will increase overall accessibility. Some existing bus stops that will be used by the GSTN are proposed to move closer to intersections or moved across an intersection to be closer to a crosswalk. High visibility crosswalks will be installed at unsignalized intersections with GSTN stations and MCDOT is evaluating enhanced safety treatments, like Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons or pedestrian signals, where warranted, to improve transit rider safety and experience.
As part of the Montgomery County Climate Action Plan’s goal to eliminate greenhouse gases emissions by 2035, MCDOT is evaluating alternative-fuel fleets for GSTN buses, including hydrogen fuel cell buses and battery electric buses. These fleets operate carbon-free and align with the county’s goals for lowering emissions. MCDOT is undergoing a transformation to be a zero emissions fleet, with new buses and facilities to support the change.
The final decision on which zero emissions technology is most appropriate for the GSTN fleet will be made once MCDOT has completed its evaluation of technology options for multiple Ride On bus services. GSTN represents a crucial piece in the county’s overall substantiality goals in reducing auto traffic and replacing carbon-intensive modes with carbon-neutral ones. The new fleet represents a significant step towards the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the County, and MCDOT is committed to implementing zero-emission buses on this project.
The project is currently in the final design stage where the major elements of the project are being designed.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT CONSTRUCTION
This project is funded for planning, design, and construction.
Montgomery County Department of Transportation is creating a new, high-quality bus service - Great Seneca Ride On ext R a. This new service along the Lime and Pink routes will provide frequent and reliable connections to key area destinations including Shady Grove Metro, Crown Farm, Adventist Healthcare Shady Grove Medical Center, Johns Hopkins University, the Universities at Shady Grove, Rio, and Traville Village Center.
Great Seneca Ride On extRa will expand mobility for bus riders and bicyclists, increase access to jobs, education and healthcare, better connect neighborhoods and businesses, and help boost economic development to the area’s vibrant live/work communities.
The proposed routes on the Ride On ext R a service will add to, rather than replace, existing routes. MCDOT is not planning to change any existing Ride On local service as part of implementing the Ride On ext R a.
Phase 1 is focused on efficient connections between Shady Grove Metro through the Life Sciences Corridor, Rio, and Crown Farm to Traville Transit Center/Universities at Shady Grove. Long term planning for future phases of the transit network in the Great Seneca Science Corridor includes service that will improve connectivity for people in other parts of Montgomery County, including routes that would connect with the Rockville Metro station, Fallsgrove area, Darnestown Road corridor, and the Kentlands. MCDOT is also currently working on Ride On Reimagined, which is evaluating the entire County bus network. Visit the Ride On Reimagined website for updates on proposed improvements.
No. The Great Seneca Ride On ext R a, like the current Ride On ext R a 101 service, will cost the same as the local bus fare.
Constructing dedicated bus and bike lanes will visibly promote the presence of Ride On ext R a service, and demonstrate Montgomery County’s dedication to providing a robust, high-quality transit network to attract new riders. Bus lanes are measures for increasing service efficiency and improving travel times by decreasing stoppage time and other impacts of being in mixed traffic. Buses in bus lanes are less susceptible to traffic congestion and slowdowns, reducing the time a bus is not moving. Bus lanes will help promote better on-time performance in conforming to revised schedules, which have gotten longer to accommodate service changes. Current traffic volume levels support the conversion to dedicated bus lanes, and the County intends to preserve bus priority treatments to reduce potential traffic as additional development takes place in the Life Sciences Center.
Great Seneca Ride On ext R a is intended to get more people out of their personal vehicles and onto public transportation, reducing the number of cars on the road and improving commute times for all. The traffic Level of Service at all intersections studied will remain virtually unchanged after repurposing travel and parking lanes for dedicated bus/bike lanes.
Final engineering is underway now for improvements on the Pink route linking Shady Grove Metrorail station to the Life Science Center near Shady Grove Hospital and the Lime route using I-370 from Shady Grove Metro to Rio, Crown Farm, and the heart of the Life Science Center. Construction, following final design and approvals, is scheduled for late 2023 through early 2024. Service is scheduled to begin in summer 2024.
Existing local stops will be consolidated with Great Seneca Ride On ext R a stops where they share a location. Riders on the local service will use the upgraded premium branded Ride On ext R a shelter.
Great Seneca Ride On ext R a will have a zero emission fleet in concert with the county’s overall goal to have a zero emission fleet as part of its goal to cut emissions 100% by 2035 and to align with the county’s Climate Action Plan. The county is advancing an evaluation of battery electric buses through the planning stages for the Great Seneca Ride On ext R a and other routes. Hydrogen fuel cell buses are also under consideration for some Ride On service.
This project is funded for planning, design, and construction through mass transit revenue, state aid, and an impact tax.
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Future phases of GSTN project will implement an expanded bus network to support the Great Seneca Science Corridor and surrounding areas. MCDOT developed the Great Seneca Transit Network as a near-term bus transit solution to provide direct, safe and affordable transportation connections in the area. The network will include five frequent bus routes, dedicated bus lanes and bus/bike lanes, new bus stations, and safer pedestrian and bike connections. This bus network will provide frequent and reliable connections between Kentlands, Crown Farm, King Farm, the Universities at Shady Grove, Adventist Shady Grove Hospital, Shady Grove Metro, Rockville, and other key destinations in support of the Great Seneca Science Corridor Master Plan.