Montgomery County Launches Naming Contest for Bus Rapid Transit System

From Montgomery County:

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett launched the start of a naming contest to brand the County’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, which in the next few years is expected to transform the transportation alternatives available in the County. A broad coalition of supporters attended the event along US 29, which is expected to be the first BRT in the State of Maryland and could serve both Montgomery and Howard counties.

“The future economic vitality of our County depends on increased transportation investment to accommodate more residents and to encourage job growth, and that is why in March, I recommended $6.5 million in my capital budget to plan and design a high-quality BRT on US29,” said Leggett. “I am committed to putting practical, cost-effective transit options on the ground in the near term. One of my highest priorities is to provide world-class transportation options for all our residents who live and work throughout the County that will provide congestion relief and also unlock Montgomery County’s economic potential.”

The naming contest will be held from November 17 through January 20 to help brand the BRT system. The public will be asked to select one of three possible names – Flash, Rapid or Swift – and will automatically be entered to win prizes through random drawings. Voting will occur online on MCDOT’s newly released BRT website or by texting MOCOBRT to 77453 and then following instructional prompts.

Montgomery County is in discussions with Howard County to make the first BRT line in the network along US 29 a bi-county service.

BRT will be a network of fast, reliable, train-like buses that will move more people per lane compared to cars, with each bus taking as many as 90 cars off the road, get travelers out of traffic and help residents reach new jobs created along its corridors. BRT often has its own lane on busy roads, makes fewer stops than a traditional bus and is an environmentally-friendly choice that reduces greenhouse gases.

“I am committed to a world-class Bus Rapid Transit system in Montgomery County. Marketing and branding have been critical to attracting riders to these systems in other jurisdictions,” said Montgomery County Council member and T&E Chair Roger Berliner. “I am pleased that the County is moving forward with this naming effort. It will be important to the success not just of Bus Rapid Transit on Route 29, but on Route 355, Veirs Mill Road and other corridors as we develop a comprehensive, world-class BRT network.”

“We know from transit planning research that if we provide reliable and frequent bus service on Route 29, ridership will increase significantly," said Montgomery County Councilmember Hans Riemer. "I am ready to support the infrastructure upgrades that may be necessary in order to provide a higher level of service. Let’s get this moving now.”

Naming the system is a vital next step as MCDOT moves forward on BRT planning and design.

To promote the naming contest, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will be holding events through January, including:

• Participate in the Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade on Saturday, November 19, starting at 10 a.m.
• Hold special promotions at the Silver Spring Transit Center on Thursday, November 17, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Rockville Town Square on Sunday, November 20, 12 to 4 p.m.

Get more contest details and information about BRT online.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay