Bus-only lanes along MD 355 were activated early this morning between North Bethesda and Friendship Heights. The Bethesda, Medical Center, and Grosvenor Metro stations will be closed for major construction from today until September 6, 2026. Monday morning commuters at the Bethesda Metro station found no personnel from transit agency WMATA on-site to assist customers in locating the free shuttle buses that will be running between the shuttered stations for the next eight weeks. There was also a lack of signage.
Adding to the confusion is that, unlike previous station closures in Bethesda, a hodgepodge of privately-owned charter buses is being employed as shuttles, instead of Metrobuses. And many of those buses had the name of the charter company displayed on the screen above the windshield, instead of the destination.
The absolute most terrifying possibility, if not probability with this, is these bus only lanes will be made permanent. There is already chatter going around town that that is indeed what they intend to do. Does anybody reading this have any doubt in their mind, based upon the ridiculous bike lane takeover all around the county, which has snarled traffic on both county and state roads, that they will not indeed do this and remove an entire travel lane on 355/ Rockville Pike and elsewhere in the area like Georgia avenue? I think not. With situations like this, it's always strongly recommended to write your elected officials. But as we've seen time and again that does nothing. They are in charge and they know what's good for you like it or not. And we don't.
ReplyDeleteThe intellectuals of Rockville should perform acts in Vaudeville.
DeleteTERRIFYING! Watch out everyone, those scary buses and bikes are gonna get you!
Delete2:43 Leave their names (Rockville) out of your mouth.
Delete2:43 Based on your eloquent statement, must be their newly hired public relations spokesperson!
DeleteThe tentacles of Rockville stretch out to Bethesda.
DeleteBeyond complaining that no WMATA personnel were there to guide commuters to the buses, why not add that information to this blog? That would be a service.
ReplyDeleteIt remains a mystery as why they decided to do maintenance work and
Deleteblocked off this morning Harrison St. NW from 44th St.to Wisconsin Avenue!
The buses in the photos have the WMaTA designation placards in their windshields. I’m not sure why you were confused by the charter buses; that’s standard for all of the long term WMATA projects. (It WOULD be unusual if there WEREN’T charter buses.)
ReplyDeleteIt was a "Yankee Doodle Dandy" morning!!!
DeleteThey have already stated that the bus lanes in Bethesda and south to Friendship Heights are only temporary, as there is not enough bus users to consider a permanent rush hour only bus lane. North of Bethesda is indeed being studied for possible permanent rush hour only bus lanes. They will likely remain after the Red Line closure, to be studied during normal traffic.
ReplyDeleteOn a similar topic, I am curios why they are considering a Bus Rapid Transit line between Rockville and Bethesda, or Friendship Heights. Why even consider adding a BRT line that traces the exact path of the existing Red Line? BRT might be a great way to extend frequent mass transit in dedicated lanes where Metro does not exist, by why duplicate the services?
The proposed Gold BRT from Rosslyn/Georgetown to Stadium Armory makes a ton of sense, essentially fulfilling the vision of the first leg of the DC Streetcar. It will reduce the load on the Stadium Armory Metro station, and allow events very direct and easy access to the new stadium from Union Station, VRE, MARC, Amtrak and the Red Line. It would also extend enhanced transit access to Georgetown.
I agree. The already are getting ready by having an express bus I think route 100 and route 46 continually moving from Medical Center Station. The rest of us sit and wait for the others,,,,,,
DeleteMaking the lanes permanent would be insane. The Metro Red Line literally runs the same route. What is the point after the stations reopen?
ReplyDeleteTell that to all the Chicken Littles above.
DeleteIt's not a possibility? You're missing an important point. It's not about the route, it's about anti-car.
DeleteI took it this morning from Medical Center around 7:30 am. Very easy commute and very comfortable buses. Lots of personnel. Coming back, same experience.
ReplyDelete"Adding to the confusion is that, unlike previous station closures in Bethesda, a hodgepodge of privately-owned charter buses is being employed as shuttles, instead of Metrobuses. And many of those buses had the name of the charter company displayed on the screen above the windshield, instead of the destination."
ReplyDeleteOh goody!
Which type of wine er whine are you, Red, White, or Drivel?
DeleteThey are permanent.
ReplyDelete@12:16, "They have already stated that the bus lanes in Bethesda and south to Friendship Heights are only temporary, as there is not enough bus users to consider a permanent rush hour only bus lane." It was established early on that ridership sufficient to warrant the Purple Line's advancing past the moist-&-turgid dream stage didn't exist, and yet. . .
ReplyDeleteOf course they will permanently remove one lane each way from 355. There probably is (or will be invented) some federal funding program that gives an incentive to do it. (even though it has the same route as the red line of the metro). Plus there is no expectation of pushback because it was done on Old Georgetown Road and the people who live or work around that area still voted for the politicians who did it.
ReplyDelete"There probably is (or will be invented) some federal funding program..." SERIOUSLY! Your idol has buried those funds somewhere in the front, back, or side yard of the peoples house he intents to stay in forever. If not there try reflecting on your thoughts in a nearby body of water.
DeleteMy dude "employee" at Bethesda was too busy running his damn mouth to his colleague so I got on the next big bus without words. Driver was fantastic. The folks at White Flint (yes, I said that) were very helpful as were all employees outside directing people at the remaining stations. However, White Flint which is still open and there was a little confusion because they have express buses (actually WMATA) not the real nice Rock Star type touring buses that go straight through to Friendship Heights. The "Local" buses stop and pickup or let off folks at each closed station. Unfortunately the clog was at Strathmore where the buses actually get off #355 and go to the station. That bus filled up fully and after that when I got back Medical Center because it's a nicer walk back home , I told the dude that you need to have an Express bus to Bethesda of which they do not. Although a massive undertaking and seemingly well organized, I can't see doing this for 3 months, and I didn't even address other cars in the dedicated lanes... Bethesda MoCo PoPo were enforcing it Southbound #355 at #187 but no other law enforcement during my round-trip from 7:30am-9:55am.
ReplyDelete" I told the dude that you need to have an Express bus to Bethesda of which they do not." Oh, but they do. https://www.wmata.com/ride/alerts-and-advisories/summer-2026-red-line-major-construction.html
Delete*From White Flint to Bethesda without stopping at Strathmore they do not. I'm not opening up your link. The express buses only run from one open station to the other open station, all the others are local.
DeleteIt would be ridiculous to have an "express" bus to Bethesda. So basically you just want an express bus from where you get on to where you are personally going. Heck, when the red line reopens I request that they have an express train from Grosvenor to Union Station.
DeleteOh, you just said the quiet part out loud, you are one of the Grosvenor riders, that explains your irresponsible response. Actually, White Flint (N Bethesda) express to Bethesda IS a great Idea not just for me due to it being convenient that one day I used it for a doctor's appointment. It's the hallway point station-wise between between the 2 still open stations. WMATA could logistically easily divert some of those coaches or transit buses.
DeleteThe Red Line closure is only 2 months long, with all stations reopening on September 6.
ReplyDeleteYes, 2 months to a casual observer but it will feel like two years to an actual rider.
DeleteWhat’s “confusing? The buses don’t stop on the street, they stop in the station terminals and are clearly signed. People who feel a need to be “confused”, will be.
ReplyDeleteNO, that is a false statement from someone who has yet to commute since the shutdown on Monday. Every. Single. Stop. Is ON 355/Rockville Pike (White Flint, Medical Center, Bethesda & Friendship Heights) EXCEPT Grosvenor Strathmore which is the problem. There's is so much false information on this thread that Robert needs to shut it down or monitor it for "fake news."
DeleteI have already registered my complaint with WMATA that the chartered buses do not have bike racks like the Metro buses that are often used as shuttles when stations undergo maintenance. My wife and I like to bike to DC on the weekends, have brunch, then return on the Metro. Apparently we won't have that option this summer.
ReplyDeleteYou are certainly free to use regular MetroBus lines and their bike racks until the Red Line fully reopens. Sorry that this important construction project has interfered with your highly critical weekend recreation routine.
DeleteDon't the Ride On buses have bike racks?
DeleteRide-On buses do have bike racks and it would be a great alternative but neither Ride-On nor Metrobus has a route between Friendship Heights and North Bethesda without a transfer. Nonstarter. I found out via Reddit that putting the bikes in the cargo bays of the shuttle buses is an option. I also noticed this weekend there were many more Metrobus shuttles in the mix with bike racks.
DeleteY'all know there's a big sign between NIH and Harris Teeter that specifically says the bus lanes will only be there until September, right?
ReplyDeleteMoriBUS Montgomery County
ReplyDeleteNightmare on Jennifer Street!
ReplyDeleteIt’s actually better that these buses don’t have the Metrobus livery, so that riders don’t confuse them with regular Metrobus service, and try to get them to stop or get angry when they don’t.
ReplyDeleteI really can't believe that they aren't enforcing lane blocking by all those usual suspects, one shuttle driver blew their horn at every car blocking him/her from using that specially painted lane Panera, Subway Subs etc.
ReplyDelete