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Have you seen the decorated Flash buses?
Snap a photo of or with a Flash bus for a chance to win a $25 gift card!
Weekly $25 gift card winners will be randomly selected from all participants who tag @MCDOTNow with a photo of a decorated Flash bus from December 4, 2023 through January 5, 2024. Drawings will be held, and participants will be notified, on Mondays for submissions tagged by Friday 5 pm the previous week.
Participants agree to grant MCDOT permission to use the photos for promotional, or other, purposes by participating in the contest.
Service on Colesville Road/Columbia Pike (US 29) with 12 stops from Silver Spring Transit Center to Briggs Chaney and Burtonsville.
When's the Next Bus?
Flash is ready when you are, with vehicles arriving every 15 minutes or less. Where routes overlap, service is every 7 – 8 minutes during rush hour on weekdays. Once you get to a Flash station, you can relax because a bus is only a few short minutes away!
- Runs every 15 minutes
- Weekdays: 5:15 a.m. – 1 a.m. (Every 7 - 8 minutes during rush hour where routes overlap)
- Weekends and Holidays: 5:30 a.m. – 1 a.m.
- Operates between these stops:
- Paul S. Sarbanes (Silver Spring) Transit Center (Bay 229)
- Fenton Street
- Four Corners
- Burnt Mills
- Oak Leaf Drive
- F.D.A. (select trips)
- White Oak Transit Center
- April Lane
- Tech Road
- Castle Blvd
- Briggs Chaney
- Runs every 15 minutes
- Weekdays: 5:15 a.m. – 1 a.m. (Every 7 - 8 minutes during rush hour where routes overlap)
- Operates between these stops:
- Paul S. Sarbanes (Silver Spring) Transit Center (Bay 229)
- Fenton Street
- Four Corners
- Burnt Mills
- Tech Road
- Burtonsville
Click to enlarge
Fare
Pay your fare at the Flash station before you board.
- Flash is $1.00
- SmarTrip is accepted and all discount fares apply
- Free fare for:
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Seniors age 65 or older, with Senior SmarTrip® card, or Medicare Card and Photo ID
- Persons with disabilities, with Reduced Fare SmarTrip Card and their attendants
- Youth ages 18 and under, with Youth Cruiser SmarTrip card
-
- Transfers
-
Within Ride On System: Free
-
Valid within 2 hours of boarding
-
- To/from Metrobus: $1.00
- Metrorail to Ride On: $1.00
-
Ways to Pay
- Tap your card on the SmarTrip pay station at the bus stop
- Add the SmarTrip app on a mobile device
- Hold your mobile device over the SmarTrip reader until you feel a vibration and see a check mark on your display
- Locate the station ticket machine
- Press the green “Start” button and follow the directions
- The machine accepts $1 and $5 bills, credit and debit cards (soon), Ride On tokens, and coins (except pennies) and does not give change
- Press the green “Start” button and follow the directions
- Keep your ticket as proof of payment
- Tickets are valid only until the expiration time shown (2 hours)
- Tickets are not accepted on Metrobuses but can be used to transfer to other MCDOT buses
You can now use a mobile device to plan their next trip! Download one of the free apps below to choose your route, time, and more!
Ride On Trip Planner is an exciting new app allowing you to plan your trip along with the ability to see how crowded a bus is before boarding. This gives you control over your transportation experience.
- Download the App: Apple Store or Google Play
- Download the MCDOT Transit Map
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- Download the App: Apple Store or Google Play
- Google Maps
Level Boarding: All Wheels Welcome
Flash offers level boarding or ramp access so you can easily enter or exit the bus.
Wheelchairs and scooters enter through the front door.
Wheelchairs
The driver can quickly deploy a bridge for a smooth entry. Every Flash bus has one traditional wheelchair securement area and one Quantum automatic securement system. The Quantum automatic securement system allows passengers to safely secure themselves without the drivers help (unless requested). Learn more about the Quantum system. Watch a video on how to use the Quantum system.
Strollers and Carts
With Flash you don't have fold up your strollers or carts. Every Flash station offers level boarding or ramps so there are no steps to get on or off the bus.
Bikes on Board
Bikes should enter through the rear door and can be easily secured on board. Flash has the first onboard bike racks in the region. Using the Interlock system is quick and easy:
Flash is coming to the following routes:
Latest Updates
Flash News
- MCDOT's Go Montgomery! Transportation Newsletter is Now Available - Thursday, March 16
- MCDOT to Hold a Virtual Community Meeting on the University Boulevard Dedicated Bus Lane Pilot Project on Thursday, March 30
- Montgomery County Steps Up Impaired Driving Enforcement and Provides Safe Ride Options for St. Patrick's Day, Celebrated This Friday, March 17