SS/tmd.pr      96-106         Contact:  Tom Pogue, 301-565-7317 or
                                        Steve Simon, 301-217-6534
STATE GRANT HELPS COUNTY LAUNCH
NEW INITIATIVE TO PROMOTE USE OF
TRANSIT, CARPOOLS IN N. BETHESDA   For Immediate Release:  March 20, 1996


     With the aid of a $1.2 million grant from the Maryland Department of
Transportation, Montgomery County officials and business leaders today
launched the new North Bethesda Transportation Management District.
     A Transportation Management District (TMD) is a geographic area,
designated by County legislation, in which the County seeks the involvement of
employers, developers and residents in promoting alternative modes of
transportation to the single-occupancy vehicle.
     Modeled after a successful similar County effort in Silver Spring, the
new TMD's purpose will be to aggressively pursue the goals of reduced single-
occupancy vehicle use and increased transit or carpool ridership in the
targeted area of North Bethesda.  A broad array of traffic mitigation
measures, incentive programs and efforts to promote transit, carpool and
vanpool use will be used to achieve these goals.
     North Bethesda, with its close proximity to three Metrorail stations, is
a major transit hub and a key employment center within Montgomery County. 
"Our aim is to enhance the general area served by this great transit re-
source," said Duncan.  "When we can facilitate economic growth without having
to add road capacity or accept unwanted increases in traffic congestion, we
meet both the County's land use and economic development objectives."
     Major funding to launch this initiative is being provided by the $1.2
                                 - more -
N. BETHESDA TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT DISTRICT LAUNCHED               2-2-2

million State grant, under its new Transportation Emissions Reduction Pilot
(TERP) program.  The State's investment will be matched by $490,000 in County
funds.  Programs to be funded through the TERP grant include:  a rush-hour
shuttle service between the Grosvenor Metro Station and Rock Spring Park and a
North Bethesda transit/vanpool incentive program.  The funds will also be used
for parking meter acquisitions; pedestrian, bicycle and bus stop facility
improvements; commuter information kiosks; and transit promotional materials.
     "Montgomery County has created some very innovative approaches to
traffic management and its effect on the environment," said David L. Winstead,
Secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation.  "The TERP award will
help the County bring more of today's technological advances to the forefront
as it continues to pursue these initatives."
     The new North Bethesda TMD will be operated through a contract with the
Transportation Action Partnership, a non-profit transportation management
association.  It will be marketed under the name "North Bethesda Transpor-
tation Center" and operate out of a retail facility to be opened this spring.
     Established in 1987, the Transportation Action Partnership was one of
the first transportation management associations in the nation.  Today, there
are more than 100 such groups in the country, including more than 10 in the
Washington-Baltimore area.  It is operated by a 10-member board of directors,
which includes nine representatives from the local business and development
community.  Charles A. Camalier is president of the TAP board.
     For information on the Transportation Action Partnership and the North
Bethesda TMD, contact Peggy Schwartz at (301) 493-6460.
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