• What's Happening at PLN?
  
  • Next Purple Line Forum
  • Thank You for Continuing to Support PLN
• Happening Along the Purple Line Corridor
  • Baltimore Red Line to Feature Light Rail Trains
  • Montgomery County Detour and Closure Map
• Construction Updates and Project Features
  • Takoma Station Reopens
  • Modifications to Shuttle Buses During Red Line Closures

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WHAT'S HAPPENING AT PLN?

Next Purple Line NOW Forum

The next forum is in the works and we can confirm it will be an update on the entire corridor -- with so much activity along the alignment, there will be lots to learn about what is happening with the project!

We will announce dates and a link to reserve your seat soon. As always, our events are free and open to the public and media, but all seats must be reserved in advance, so keep an eagle eye out for the big announcement!

**If you or your business would like to sponsor this event, please let us know as soon as possible!**

Thank You for Your Continuing Support!

Our need is ongoing - we operate on a budget between $20,000 and $25,000 each year, so please know that your donation in any amount is welcome and necessary for us to continue our work. You can easily donate by clicking the Purple "Donate" button below. Not sure if you've given in the past twelve months? Check our website to see if your name is listed. Thank you from all of us here at Purple Line NOW!

HAPPENING ALONG THE PURPLE LINE CORRIDOR

Baltimore Red Line to Feature Light Rail Trains

While not technically news along the Purple Line corridor, we were very happy to see Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s announcement last week that Baltimore’s Red Line will “feature light rail trains, not buses.”

The Governor said that light rail emerged as the “best choice” during outreach sessions conducted over the past several months, and officials were quick to add that the decision was also data driven. “Roughly three-quarters of those surveyed by the MTA through public outreach last year expressed a strong preference for rail over buses," the agency said. You can read more about where the proposed line will be and other information about the proposed project here.

Montgomery County Detour and Closure Map

To view all Montgomery County detours and closures associated with the Purple Line, please click this link.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATES & PROJECT FEATURES

Takoma Station Reopens

We were delighted to see the Takoma Red Line Station reopen last Friday, two days ahead of schedule. The Silver Spring, Forest Glen, Wheaton, and Glenmont stations will remain closed for the next two months as Metro conducts a variety of upgrades, including allowing for the Purple Line connection and mezzanine access to the Metrorail station from the top level of the Silver Spring Transit Center. The completion of the Takoma Station is an important step along the way for this important, but highly disruptive, project.

Modifications to Shuttle Buses During Red Line Closures

Many of us have been enduring the detours and alternative transit/transportation offerings while the stations mentioned above remain closed. We are encouraged to see that Metro has continued to evolve its shuttle bus approach. Starting Monday, Metro is changing its shuttle bus service for riders affected by the shutdown of the four Red Line stations, aiming to improve travel times and decrease bus congestion.

“The ‘Limited 2’ shuttle, which stops at Forest Glen, Silver Spring and Fort Totten stations, will be replaced by two new, more-efficient express shuttle loops,” Metro said in a news release. The goal of the express loops is to help riders get to their destinations more quickly.

Have you been using alternate means of reaching DC? Purple Line NOW’s Vice President Greg Sanders reports that he has switched over to the S-9 bus, which directly connects him to his office, but did add about 15 minutes each way, largely due to traffic. However, he says, “Now that Takoma is reopening, I’ll be biking there instead.”

Commutes are deeply personal, but if you want to share any stories or tips for dealing with the summer road and transit closures, send us a quick email! [email protected]

Montgomery County Council Briefing on Purple Line

If you missed our recap of the State's Purple Line briefing to the Montgomery County council late last month, you can read it here. One of the highlights was that the Purple Line light rail vehicles are expected to begin arriving sometime this summer! We are excitedly anticipating that moment! Watch this space!

Photos from Around the Corridor

Photo Courtesy of MDOT MTA

Photo Courtesy of MDOT MTA

Photo courtesy of Webb Smedley

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