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Great Seneca Transit Network Launched

By
Industry Observer with Retired

Great Seneca Transit Network Launched

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, County Council President Andrew Friedson and other State and local officials and the County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) this week celebrated the launch of Phase 1 of the Great Seneca Transit Network (GSTN) at the Traville Gateway Transit Center in Rockville.

The GSTN, which began service on Sept. 8, offers commuters and residents faster, more frequent transit through two new Ride On extRa bus lines, designated as “Pink” and “Lime.” The routes operate from 5 a.m.-7:45 p.m. on weekdays and from 6:15 a.m.-7:30 p.m. on weekends. There is service every 10-15 minutes during peak periods on weekdays.

Among those attending the ceremonies were Maryland Delegates Lily Qi and Joe Vogel; Montgomery County Council Vice President, Kate Stewart; Councilmembers Gabe Albornoz; Marilyn Balcombe; Evan Glass; Natali Fani-González; Dawn Luedtke; and Laurie-Anne Sayles; City of Gaithersburg Mayor Jud Ashman; City of Rockville Mayor Monique Ashton; Joe McAndrew, assistant secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT); Chris Conklin, director MCDOT; and Anne Khademian, executive director of the Universities at Shady Grove.

Prior to the event, local business owners and elected officials provided remarks about the impact of the new service in a series of videos available on the MCDOTNow YouTube channel.

“The Great Seneca Transit Network will make transit a viable option for people going to work and school,” said County Executive Elrich. “These new express bus routes with signal priority, access to Metrorail and some portions of dedicated bus lanes provide a crucial link to the more than 9,000 private sector life sciences jobs and to the Universities at Shady Grove and Adventist Medical Park. This new service reflects our commitment to improving daily life for our residents and supports a flourishing economic hub that will continue to attract employers, students and workers.”

The new bus lines run east-west connections between the Shady Grove Metro and the Traville Gateway Transit Center, adjacent to the Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville. The Pink Line links the busy Shady Grove corridor with the Life Sciences Center via Medical Center Drive. The Lime Line uses I-370 to provide an express route to RIO, Crown Farm and the heart of the Life Sciences Center at Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center.

“The Great Seneca Transit Network is a tremendous step forward in our plan to create a thriving and diverse community connected by a safe and reliable transportation system,” said Council President Friedson. “We envision the Life Sciences Center as a complete community with affordable housing options, education and employment opportunities, and entertainment and shopping centers, that is accessible by a comprehensive transit infrastructure that prioritizes public transportation, pedestrian and cyclist access.”

Both bus routes will operate with sections of dedicated bus lanes and signal priority, which involves the controlling of traffic lights to prioritize buses so they can reach their destination faster.

“We designed the Great Seneca Transit Network around the needs of the community it serves,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “The express routes will significantly reduce commute times for key destinations. Transportation from the Shady Grove Metro station to Adventist Medical Center via the Pink line will take 21 minutes, less than half of the current 43-minute commute on the existing route. The buses offer fast, frequent service and accommodate shift changes and student schedules.”

For more information on MCDOT programs and services, visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot.

This is a Montgomery County, Maryland announcement.

 

Dahlia, Jessica, Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, Maryland USA IMG_5763
Canon PowerShot G11 Camera
Photograph by Roy Kelley
Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

Posted by

Roy Kelley, Retired, Former Associate Broker, RE/MAX Realty Group

Gaithersburg, Maryland  

Jeffrey Richman
Immediate Home Solutions - Myrtle Beach, SC
Creative Real Estate Specialist

Hi Roy,

It's always good to be able to get from point A to B quickly, especially when someone else is driving!

Sep 14, 2024 08:03 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Roy- It's good that your area is working to assist its community with transportation. 

Sep 14, 2024 10:12 AM
Bill Salvatore - East Valley
Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ
Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

Thanks for sharing, make it a great Saturday and enjoy your weekend!

Bill Salvatore, Realtor- Arizona Elite Properties

Sep 14, 2024 10:51 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

This is good information to share with you community, Roy.  I hope you are having a pleasant weekend.

Sep 14, 2024 04:49 PM