Bus Rapid Transit Line Breaks Ground in Maryland

Maryland's new FLASH bus rapid transit line will cost $31 million, with $10 million in funding from a U.S. Department of Transportation TIGER grant. It's also the first bus rapid transit line in the state.

1 minute read

October 31, 2018, 10:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Montgomery County Bus Rapid Transit

Flash BRT / Twitter

"Maryland officials held a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday to mark the start of construction for the state's first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line," reports Alessia Grunberger.

The new BRT line, called the FLASH, will run for 14 miles along U.S. 29, with 11 stations between Burtonsville and Silver Spring.

"Montgomery County officials say that each bus – which can carry as many as 90 riders – will operate more frequently and make fewer stops than existing Ride On buses. FLASH will run every seven-and-a-half minutes during rush hours and every 15 minutes during off-peak hours," according to Grunberger.

According to the FLASH website, additional routes are planned for Maryland Route 355 and Route 586.

Thursday, October 25, 2018 in Silver Spring Patch

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

View of residential street in Los Angeles with palm trees and hazy city in distance.

Rebuilding Smarter: How LA County Is Guiding Fire-Ravaged Communities Toward Resilience

Los Angeles County is leading a coordinated effort to help fire-impacted communities rebuild with resilience by providing recovery resources, promoting fire-wise design, and aligning reconstruction with broader sustainability and climate goals.

4 hours ago - Los Angeles County Chief Sustainability Office

Entrance sign for San Jose-Santa Clara Regional wastewater treatment facility.

When Borders Blur: Regional Collaboration in Action

As regional challenges outgrow city boundaries, “When Borders Blur” explores how cross-jurisdictional collaboration can drive smarter, more resilient urban planning, sharing real-world lessons from thriving partnerships across North America.

6 hours ago - * A Placemaking Journal

Rendering of Penrose Roundabout in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia Is Expanding its Network of Roundabouts

Roundabouts are widely shown to decrease traffic speed, reduce congestion, and improve efficiency.

April 27 - WHYY