Bethesda riders who've relied on Ride On buses during the Red Line shutdown will see schedule changes on 20 routes starting Sunday, Sept. 6, the same day Metro's Red Line is set to reopen between North Bethesda and Friendship Heights.

Two days later, on Tuesday, Sept. 8, the U.S. 29 Flash Bus Rapid Transit Blue Line will extend into Howard County for the first time, adding four stops north to the Mall at Columbia and Merriweather Post Pavilion.

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation announced the changes on Thursday, Aug. 6, giving riders about a month's notice.

What's changing for Bethesda riders

Nineteen numbered routes will get new timetables on Sept. 6: Routes 1, 5, 6, 8, 9, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 26, 33, 34, 37, 38, 40, 41 and 47. The Flash Blue Line's new schedule counts as the 20th change.

For riders near the Bethesda Metro station, Routes 34 (Wheaton-Bethesda) and 47 (Rockville-Montgomery Mall-Bethesda) are directly affected. Routes 37 and 40, which have served as alternatives to the Red Line during the summer construction closure, will also shift to new timetables.

MCDOT spokesperson Emily DeTitta said in the announcement that the adjustments are based on rider feedback, ridership data and service delivery goals, and represent a shift of resources toward routes with higher demand. The department adjusts schedules at least three times a year; the January round changed 36 routes and the May round changed 18.

The specific nature of each route's timetable change, whether added trips, removed trips or shifted departure times, was not detailed in the announcement. New schedules will be posted at rideonbus.com.

Flash BRT reaches Columbia

The Flash Blue Line currently runs between the Silver Spring Transit Center and Burtonsville along U.S. 29/Colesville Road. Starting Sept. 8, a partnership between Montgomery and Howard counties will add four stops extending north into Howard County, connecting riders to the Mall at Columbia and Merriweather.

The extension will run every 15 minutes during weekday rush hours, matching the existing Blue Route schedule. All Flash buses remain free. That zero-fare policy, covering all Ride On and Flash service, took effect June 29, 2025.

Takoma Park stops discontinued

Two Ride On stops at Carroll Avenue and Maple Avenue in Takoma Park (stop IDs 20806 and 20742) will be discontinued Sept. 6. Those stops currently serve Routes 12, 13, 16, 18 and 25. Riders should use alternate stops at Carroll Street NW and Laurel Avenue or at Takoma Station.

Timing and the Red Line

The schedule changes land the same day the Red Line reopens for Bethesda commuters. The Red Line has been closed between North Bethesda and Friendship Heights for major construction, including platform rehabilitation at Grosvenor-Strathmore and work connecting Bethesda station to the future Purple Line. According to WMATA, that closure is scheduled to end Sept. 6.

Riders can check updated schedules at rideonbus.com, use the free Ride On Trip Planner app or follow @RideOnMCT on social media. DeTitta can be reached at 240-372-2282 for route-specific questions.