Leggett Announces “Flash” as Winning Name for Bus Rapid Transit System

For Immediate Release: Thursday, March 23, 2017

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett today announced that “Flash” is the winner in the Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) contest to select a name for the new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) System. MCDOT’s two-month contest provided residents the opportunity to choose from three suggested names or propose their own, and “Flash” received the most votes. Anyone who participated in the naming contest was eligible to be randomly selected for a gift card or other small prizes, as well as the “grand prize.”

“A Bus Rapid Transit system in Montgomery County will provide tremendous benefits by improving job creation and mobility options,” said Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett. “The system is critical to our continued prosperity. We hope in the next couple years to make Flash a household name synonymous with a fast, reliable service that helps cut traffic congestion.”

The contest ran from November 18, 2016 through January 20, 2017. The winner of the grand prize, an iPad, grew up in Burtonsville and teaches science at a Montgomery County Public School.

BRT will provide a new, innovative transit option in Montgomery County that will feature frequent service making fewer stops than traditional bus systems; enhanced vehicles equipped with WiFi and USB ports; and comfortable stations with weather protection, pre-payment kiosks and real-time transit information. Along the BRT routes, community-friendly design elements will include improved pedestrian walkways, bike facilities and bikeshare stations.

“Building awareness of the County’s plans for BRT is important in developing interest in this form of transit and attracting future customers,” said MCDOT Director Al Roshdieh. “Our first BRT corridor will be along US 29 and will include expanding pedestrian and bike access. This will result in immediate, positive impacts for the diverse population living within one-half mile of the planned BRT stations and support smart growth development.”

The first BRT line is expected to open in 2020 along the US 29 corridor from Burtonsville to downtown Silver Spring. Estimates forecast it will carry approximately 13,000 riders on its opening day. Montgomery County is also studying BRT lines along MD 355, MD 586 (Veirs Mill Road), as well as the Corridor Cities Transitway.

MCDOT plans to continue its community outreach and public involvement efforts to help educate residents about the benefits of this new transportation option and encourage community involvement in the process of developing the BRT system.

For more information, visit http://getonboardbrt.com/.

# # #

Release ID: 17-439Media Contact: Esther Bowring 240-777-7155