Benefits of a Better BRT

A Better BRT would build on Montgomery County's current plan for BRT on Route 29.

No more sitting in traffic

No more sitting in traffic

With dedicated busways to skip traffic jams, a Better BRT would provide an attractive alternative that is faster than driving.

Keep car travel lanes

Keep car travel lanes

A win-win for all commuters: the Better BRT plan keeps three travel lanes going each way, minimizing impacts to drivers.

Fewer road obstructions

Fewer road obstructions

No more getting stuck behind buses stopped in the right lane! BRT vehicles and stations would be separated from regular traffic.

Minor property impacts

Minor property impacts

No building demolition or painful property takings; nearly all of the Better BRT plan fits within the existing curb-to-curb width.

Improved safety

Improved safety

New pedestrian amenities would make it safe to cross at what are now notoriously dangerous intersections.

Higher property values

Higher property values

Studies show that reliable, high-quality transit amenities increase neighborhood desirability and boost property values.

Tired of sitting in traffic jams?

A Better BRT would provide a faster and more reliable way to travel on Route 29, and could be implemented as a "Phase 2" to the county's current BRT plan.

Join the growing list of advocates for a Better BRT by signing our petition today.

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Endorsements and Supporters

Local leaders and civic advocates have a lot to say about Better BRT!  Will you join them?

  • Hans Riemer Montgomery County Council President
    Hans Riemer Montgomery County Council President

    “Mr. Emerson’s proposed dedicated lane can largely be accommodated within the existing curbs and without removing travel lanes, which reduces additional impacts. In fact, it seems possible that most or all of the elements of the Executive’s proposal would nest readily into Mr. Emerson’s more comprehensive plan.”

  • Roger Berliner Montgomery County Council, Transportation Committee Chair
    Roger Berliner Montgomery County Council, Transportation Committee Chair

    “Sean Emerson and Sebastian Smoot testified how BRT on 29 could be accommodated by shrinking the lanes that exist today by one foot—getting them to 10 foot lanes—and putting a single track in the median for BRT.

    “That testimony was really, very persuasive.”

  • Marc Elrich Montgomery County Council, At-Large
    Marc Elrich Montgomery County Council, At-Large

    “I really appreciate the work that was done by Sean and Sebastian. They cited the studies that showed you can get BRT with six [general purpose] lanes and two lanes of BRT in 85 feet. And they talked about the importance of using a guided system. They did a major contribution in their design in showing examples of how things actually could work.”

  • George Leventhal Montgomery County Council, At-Large
    George Leventhal Montgomery County Council, At-Large

    “Bus Rapid Transit will be much more efficacious—and a far more desirable alternative to the automobile—if it runs in dedicated lanes for its entire length. I appreciate the work that Sean Emerson and Sebastian Smoot have done to explore creative options that could achieve this goal.”

  • Tom Hucker Montgomery County Council, District 5
    Tom Hucker Montgomery County Council, District 5

    “BRT provides a successful, high-quality transit option in other areas and has the potential to enhance the transit options for our residents and alleviate the increasing congestion on US-29. Doing nothing is a recipe for more congestion. So I look forward to the results of the County study of the impacts of a dedicated median lane and letting those results guide our decision-making going forward.”

  • Nancy Floreen Montgomery County Council, At-Large
    Nancy Floreen Montgomery County Council, At-Large

    “This proposal has generated a lot of interest. It seems sort of magical, frankly, in terms of a solution.”

  • Nancy Navarro Montgomery County Council, District 4
    Nancy Navarro Montgomery County Council, District 4

    “Bus Rapid Transit has the potential to be a game changer for mass transit in Montgomery County, unlocking access to opportunity for many of our residents. Taking the time to study how best to deploy BRT along US-29 will give us the blueprint we need to maximize the effects of the system on the Down and East County communities.”

  • Zucker, Kaiser, Luedtke, Queen Montgomery County District 14 Delegation
    Zucker, Kaiser, Luedtke, Queen Montgomery County District 14 Delegation

    “We believe that the Better BRT concept would be an excellent ‘Phase 2’ addition to the County’s current US 29 BRT project, once that first phase is completed.”

  • Seth Grimes Candidate for County Council, At-Large
    Seth Grimes Candidate for County Council, At-Large

    “BRT means faster and more reliable transit for Montgomery County, and fewer drivers on the road. And Better BRT on US 29 means efficient use of road space with minimal disruption to drivers. Better BRT on US 29 is a creative solution to a pressing Montgomery County transportation challenge.”

  • Evan Glass Candidate for County Council, At-Large
    Evan Glass Candidate for County Council, At-Large

    “As a regular user of public transportation, I know how important BRT is to the future success of our community. Better transit is also a matter of economic justice – ensuring that all residents have access to safe, reliable and fast transportation so they can commute to work and school.”

  • Danielle Meitiv Montgomery County Council, At-Large
    Danielle Meitiv Montgomery County Council, At-Large

    “BRT is a safe, efficient, cost-effective way to reduce congestion and improve our air quality. It is an essential tool to grow our economy and provide transit access to all parts of Montgomery County”

  • Hoan Dang Candidate for County Council, At-Large
    Hoan Dang Candidate for County Council, At-Large

    “Access to reliable transit options is a quality of life issue for our County residents.  Countless residents waste hours of their lives in traffic every year, while others lack the very access to employment centers or educational facilities. A Better BRT means more time spent with your family, accessing a better job or getting to class on time.”

  • Bill Conway Candidate for County Council, At-Large
    Bill Conway Candidate for County Council, At-Large

    “The Better BRT proposal could take Route 29 bus rapid transit from good to great. Let’s do the studies to find out whether it will work.”

  • Ben Shnider Candidate for County Council, District 3
    Ben Shnider Candidate for County Council, District 3

    “Access to quality transit is an essential ingredient to making life in our community more affordable. Too many residents, particularly in our traditionally under-served neighborhoods, are squandering countless hours and dollars in traffic. We need Better BRT to ensure everyone has equal access to quality transportation options and the economic opportunities that follow.”

  • Dan Reed Planner, Activist, and Blogger (justupthepike)
    Dan Reed Planner, Activist, and Blogger (justupthepike)

    “East County has been sitting in traffic for too long. Fast, reliable transit means access to jobs, a cleaner environment, and more time with friends and family. That’s why I support Better BRT.”

Additional Supporters

Key Features

Better BRT would consist of the following features to provide high-quality service.

6 General Purpose Lanes

6 General Purpose Lanes

The plan retains three lanes in each direction for people who drive cars and trucks. Learn more

Dedicated Bus Lanes

Dedicated Bus Lanes

Dedicated bus lanes would be extended from Burtonsville to Sligo Creek Parkway. See map

No Road Widening

No Road Widening

Nearly everything would fit within the existing curb-to-curb width. How is that possible?

Left Turn Access

Left Turn Access

Special traffic signals would be provided to allow safe left turns into neighborhoods. Where would they be placed?

Right-Sized Lanes

Right-Sized Lanes

Lanes would be narrowed by one foot to discourage speeding and provide room for bus lanes. Are narrow lanes safe?

Repurposed Medians

Repurposed Medians

Medians would be repurposed to provide room for bus lanes. Would pedestrian refuges be maintained?

Bidirectional Busway

Bidirectional Busway

In space-constrained segments, buses going both directions could bypass traffic using a shared lane in the median. How can "single-tracking" be reliable?

Guided Busway

Guided Busway

Guided tracks can minimize the width needed for busways, enhance safety, and reduce stormwater runoff. Where have they been used before?

Median Stations

Median Stations

Better BRT would maximize use of the medians for busways and the Four Corners Station. Are median stations safe?

Learn more details about Better BRT

Click below to learn more details about the Better BRT proposal.

Overview

An introduction to the Better BRT proposal.

Read more
Four Corners Station,

A unique design for a dual busway and stations in the median at Four Corners

Read more
Map

See where the new crosswalks, signals, and left turns would go.

Read more
Shortcomings of MetroExtra

Learn why MetroExtra would not help bus service on Route 29

Read more
Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to your questions about Better BRT.

Read more

Latest Updates

Read the latest news about the plan. To subscribe to email updates, please sign the petition.

Help make a Better BRT a reality for US 29!

A Better BRT is our best option for dealing with congestion on US 29, and it will only happen if we demand it.

We need YOUR VOICE to convince the State Highway Administration, Montgomery County Department of Transportation, and our future elected leaders to support a Better BRT (or at the very least, evaluate its feasibility). Sign the online petition today to show your support!

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Contact

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"Better BRT" is an idea developed and promoted by two local residents as an upgrade to the BRT project that Montgomery County is planning to build along the Route 29 corridor.

This website and the concepts herein have not been formally adopted by Montgomery County—at least not yet! That's why we need your help...

If you agree that the county should evaluate the feasibility of a Better BRT, please sign our petition.

We can be reached via this contact form, email, facebook, or twitter.