RESIDENTS
What is the North Bethesda Transportation Center?
A brief history: the 1992 North Bethesda-Garrett Park Master Plan called
for the creation of a transportation management district. It took a few
years of study and planning, and in 1995 the North Bethesda Transportation
Management District (TMD) was formed. Also known as the North Bethesda
Transportation Center (NBTC), its service area includes commercial areas,
both office and retail, and multi-family residential areas. Our goals are
to reduce traffic, thereby reducing emissions. The NORTH BETHESDA TRANSPORTATION
CENTER has an advisory committee made up of representatives from businesses,
civic associations, chambers of commerce and local government. Funding
comes from grants, parking meter fees and fines, park & ride lot fees
and permit revenue, and fees from new commercial and multi-family residential
development. Participation in our programs is completely voluntary, and
typically comes from employers with more than 25 employees, and owners
of office buildings or retail complexes.
North Bethesda Transportation Center services
include the following:
-
Customized Community Resource Packages -
We have all the bus schedules and transit information your community residents
need. You may want a display unit to keep in a central location, such as
a building lobby, or a community center. We can keep you supplied with
all the schedules or other commuter information your community desires.
Complete a Transit Request Form on-line for a single
person package, or call
us at 301-770-8108 for information on displays, group packages, etc.
-
Guaranteed Ride Home Program - This
is another FREE service available to you, courtesy of the Metropolitan
Washington Council of Governments (COG). Many people hesitate to carpool
or take public transportation to work because they are afraid of an emergency,
illness or unscheduled overtime. The answer is simple: Commuters who carpool,
vanpool, walk, ride a bike, or take public transportation to work at least
two days per week should call us and register for this program. It provides
very important peace of mind. Each participant can use the service up to
four times a year. For information, call the North Bethesda Transportation
Center at 301-770-8108 or e-mail us at info@nbtmd.org,
or to register directly with Commuter Connections call 1-800-745-RIDE (7433).
-
Ridesharing Service - Save 50% on commuting
costs instantly by sharing the ride to work! We can match you with neighbors
in your community for a carpool or vanpool. Complete a Rideshare
Form on-line or call us at 301-770-8108 for information.
-
Bicycling
- Using your bicycle is a great idea for any transportation need,
or for recreation. It's healthy for you and for the environment, and is
economical too.
-
RIDE ON is bike-friendly, with bike racks installed on the front
of all of its buses.
-
All Metro Buses as well are equipped with bike racks. Bikes are
allowed on Metro trains Monday through Friday from 10am to 2pm and after 7pm to
closing.
- Many employers, including numerous departments of
the US Government (NIH for one), have added bike racks and bike lockers to their
parking facilities.
- Free Bike Racks are available for public
property and public right of way areas by calling the right office in the
Montgomery County's Division of Transit Services for an application. Their
number is 240-777-7200. The County's goal is to give another group of people
(bikers!) better access to public transportation. There are over two hundred
bike racks on their way to the County and headed for installation in public
areas, parks, libraries, and government buildings.
- Code Red-Ride Free Program - Days with
unhealthful air quality, caused by high levels of ozone, are declared "Code
Red" by the Metropolitan
Washington Council of Governments (COG), during the summer COG
reports
the ozone forecast daily. When a Code Red day has been declared; you ride
for FREE. That's right -
all local and
regional transit route busses are FREE ALL DAY, all in the interest
of encouraging people to leave their cars, and car fumes, at home.
Parking Meters and Permits -You
can purchase long-term parking permits from Montgomery County's Parking
Office. Call 240-777-6000 to find out when you can apply in person for
your first permit.
Permits are issued for specific geographic areas in the County.
Maps
and hourly charges for public parking lots and garages in Montgomery County.
Other Regional Transit Service
Organizations