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

"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

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

People vote in Chicago behind blue privacy screens

Chicago voters approve permanent festival grounds, penalty for vacant property owners

Currently, major summer and fall festivals take over public parks for weeks at a time, drawing criticism from nearby residents

November 5 - Block Club Chicago

Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks into a microphone. He wears a gray suit.

NYC votes to cut outdoor dining red tape, speed up permitting

New York City also voted to allow the Department of Transportation to begin work on urgent projects before notifying elected officials.

November 5 - The City Reporter

People in Los Angeles going to the polls, following a sign with an "I Voted" design

California appears to reject Prop. 45

The proposition would have expanded the projects that qualify for a streamlined environmental review, effectively paring down the California Environmental Quality Act.

November 5 - Cal Matters