Contact: Esther Bowring, 240-777-6530
Carolyn Biggins, 240-777-5800
For Immediate Release: August 6, 2001

Public Meeting To Provide Information On
Upcoming Changes To Ride On Route 53;
New Service Will Begin September 4

Olney area commuters can learn more about upcoming route and schedule changes that will affect Ride On Route 53 at a public information meeting on August 16, at 7 p.m., at the Olney Library, 3500 Olney-Laytonsville Road. Montgomery County Division of Transit Services staff will explain the new schedule and route changes that will begin September 4 and answer questions.

The route changes will provide better access to the Shady Grove and Glenmont Metro stations for passengers commuting from Olney, help buses stay on schedule, and better reflect passenger demand for service.

For more information, contact Elisabeth Fetting, Senior Operations Planner for the Division of Transit Services, at 240-777-5800.

EDITORS NOTE: See the following fact sheet for details about the route and schedule changes.

• Passengers will be able to travel either to Glenmont or Shady Grove from all stops along the new route, both in the morning and in the afternoon/evening.

• Service will be routed through the Norbeck Grove community.

• Service will be routed to and from Montgomery General Hospital, with some service to the Marian Assisted Living facility to provide employment access.

• The express route along Georgia Avenue between Prince Phillip Drive and Norbeck Road will be converted to local service. Service on Georgia Avenue between Norbeck Road and the Glenmont Station will continue to operate as an express service.

• Service to Headwaters Drive and Morningwood Drive will be discontinued. Instead, passengers can use Ride On Route 52, or access the Route 53 bus at the intersection of Route 108 and Headwaters, or the intersection of Cashell Road and Bowie Mill Road.

• Service along Bowie Mill Road between Cashell Road and Route 108 will be discontinued. Passengers will still be able to use Route 53 by catching the bus at Bowie Mill Road and Cashell Road or at Route 108 and Bowie Mill Road.

• The route will no longer serve portions of Olney Mill Road, Heritage Hills Drive, and Queen Elizabeth Drive. Passengers will be able to catch the Route 53 bus on Route 108 at Olney Mill Road, on Route 108 at Queen Elizabeth Drive, on Gold Mine Road at Heritage Hills Drive, or along Georgia Avenue.