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Residents and transit advocates urge council to fund Clarksburg–Montgomery Village transportation study
Summary
At a public hearing on a $100,000 special appropriation, transportation advocates, students and business groups debated priorities for an Up‑County study—many urged transit‑first approaches, while some business leaders emphasized road connectivity as part of a multimodal solution.
The Montgomery County Council heard extensive public comment Sept. 30 on a proposed $100,000 special appropriation to fund a Clarksburg–Montgomery Village corridor transportation study.
Transit advocates, neighborhood residents and student speakers urged the council to prioritize transit alternatives over new highway construction. "Put transit first," Diane Cameron said, asking that the study clearly state needs, recommend solutions and collaborate with riders—especially seniors and people with disabilities. The TAME Coalition urged maintaining and expanding Ride On buses, more frequent BRT service and two midday MARC trains that it said require state funding.
Students and young speakers described long bus commutes that restrict after‑school activities and opportunities and asked for expanded, reliable Ride On service to the Up County. "Public transportation is not just a means to an end," Evan Fernando said, asking for more frequent service in rural Up County communities.
Business and chamber representatives supported the appropriation but urged that the study consider road capacity and connectivity. Paula Ross, CEO of the Gaithersburg‑Germantown Chamber of Commerce, said removing the unbuilt M‑83 section from the master plan creates urgency to address road connections linking Clarksburg, Shady Grove and the ICC.
Several speakers called on the county to prioritize complete transit networks that connect Ride On, MARC and future BRT lines, to expand bus shelters and to ensure the study produces implementable recommendations rather than returning to further planning without concrete actions. The council closed the hearing and scheduled a work session for Oct. 16.
The appropriation’s source is general fund undesignated reserves; the request is jointly sponsored by the Transportation & Environment and Government Operations & Fiscal Policy committees.
