'Flash' Bus Rapid Transit Coming to Maryland

The "Flash" bus rapid transit system proposed in Montgomery County, Maryland took a crucial step forward at the end of July.

1 minute read

August 15, 2019, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Montgomery County Department of Transportation

A conceptual rendering for the "Alternative B" street section for MD-355 BRT | Montgomery County Department of Transportation / BRT on MD 355

According to an article by Jane Lyons, "the Montgomery County Council advanced two long-awaited Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects on Route 355 and Veirs Mill Road to the next stage of engineering."

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation will contract design and engineering work to a private sector firm, but the intent is to build dedicated media BRT lines—"considered the highest standard for this type of bus project," according to Lyons.

"Veirs Mill and Route 355 (part of which includes Rockville Pike) are two of three priority corridors for Montgomery County’s planned 82-mile BRT network, passed in 2013 with the support of the Coalition for Smarter Growth, Sierra Club, and other community members," adds Lyons. Construction on the first Flash BRT line, routed along U.S. 29, commenced in 2018. 

The article includes more details about the proposed routes and the options still in place for the engineering and design of the new BRT lines on Veirs Mill and Route 355.

Friday, August 9, 2019 in Greater Greater Washington

Young Professional

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 and Environmental 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 and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

A pencil rendering of Foundry Park, which shows skyscrapers and public green spaces.

Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment

The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.

October 23, 2026 - Chicago Sun Times

A swamp in South Carolina with tall pale trees and Spanish moss in the water.

Satanic Place Names

From streams and lakes to valleys and canyons, I mapped more than 1,000 places named after the Devil.

15 minutes ago - The Daily Yonder

A rendering of a high speed rain station in California, with wide platforms and a sleep train with yellow highlights.

California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal

Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.

October 30 - Cal Matters

 A bridge stretches across the Missouri River at Chamberlain, South Dakota.

Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states

Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.

October 30 - South Dakota Searchlight