Merry Christmas and MARC Schedule Reminder

December 24, "S" (limited) schedule on Penn and Brunswick Lines, no service on the Camden Line

December 25, No MARC Train Service

December 26 and 27, "S" (limited) schedule on Penn and Brunswick Lines, no service on the Camden Line

December 28, regularly-scheduled Saturday Penn Line service

December 29, regularly-scheduled Sunday Penn Line service

December 30, Full service on all three MARC lines

December 31, "S" (limited) schedule on Penn and Brunswick Lines, no service on the Camden Line

January 1, 2014, No MARC Train Service

January 2, 2014 and going forward, Full MARC service on all three lines; Penn Line weekend service continues to operate as scheduled.

Source: http://mta.maryland.gov/advisories/updated-marc-holiday-service-december

Reminder: MARC End-of-Year Schedule

MARC Train Service will operate on the following schedules during Holidays in December. 

**Camden Line passengers are reminded that Camden Line tickets (one-way, weekly, and monthly) are always honored to equal zones on the Penn Line.**

--December 23, Full service on all three MARC lines

--December 24, "S" (limited) schedule on Penn and Brunswick Lines, no service on the Camden Line

--December 25, No MARC Train Service

--December 26 and 27, "S" (limited) schedule on Penn and Brunswick Lines, no service on the Camden Line

--December 28, regularly-scheduled Saturday Penn Line service

--December 29, regularly-scheduled Sunday Penn Line service

--December 30, Full service on all three MARC lines

--December 31, "S" (limited) schedule on Penn and Brunswick Lines, no service on the Camden Line

--January 1, 2014, No MARC Train Service

--January 2, 2014 and going forward, Full MARC service on all three lines; Penn Line weekend service continues to operate as scheduled.

Source: MTA Alerts Email Mon 12/16/13 2:38 PM

..passengers are reminded that
when the Brunswick Line is operating on an "S" schedule, the last departure from Union Station is at 6:20pm (Train 881).  This train will make all stops between Washington and Martinsburg.  Frederick County "Meet the MARC" buses will operate from Point of Rocks to Frederick.  Trains 895 and 883 (6:40 and 7:25pm departures from Union Station) WILL NOT operate.

West Virginia passengers should also note that Train 875 (4:25pm departure) does not operate on the "S" schedule.  However, Train 877 (4:55pm departure) will operate through to Martinsburg, making all stops.

Finally, there will be an additional PanTran connecting bus to meet Train 873 (3:30pm departure) at Brunswick, for a total of 3 buses.

 

Source: MTA Alerts Email Mon 12/16/13 2:48 PM

Changes to Federal Transit Benefits Effective January 1, 2014

A message to MARC Train and Commuter Bus passengers that use Electronic Smart Benefits to pay for their tickets—

Effective January 1, 2014, the maximum Federal transit allowance will drop from $245 to $130.  MARC Train and Commuter Bus passengers will need to adjust their allocations with Commuter Direct and, if necessary, update their second form of payment in order to receive their ticket(s).

 
If Commuter Direct does not receive full payment for your ticket--Smart Benefits, credit card, cash, or check--they will not issue your January ticket(s).

Please contact Commuter Direct by email at questions@CommuterDirect.com or visit their website at www.mta.commuterdirect.com with any questions regarding your account.    

In the event that the United States Congress takes action to maintain the $245 benefit level, we will let you know.

Source:
MTA Alert Email, Thu 12/05/13 4:32 PM

Gaithersburg Police Offer Tips for a Safe Holiday Season

The Gaithersburg Police Department would like to remind citizens to be safe during the holiday season with some of these safety tips:
If you are traveling:

• Get an automatic timer for your lights.
  
• Ask a neighbor to watch your home and park in the driveway from time to time, if possible.
  
• Don’t forget to have mail and newspaper deliveries stopped.

If you are out for the evening:

• Turn on lights and a radio or TV, to give the appearance of someone being home.
  
• Be sure to lock doors and windows, even if you’ll only be gone for a few minutes.
  
• Do not display gifts where they can be seen from the outside.

If you are shopping:

• Stay alert and aware of your surroundings.
  
• Park in well-lighted areas.
  
• Be sure to lock your car and hide shopping bags and gifts in the trunk.
  
• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Pay with a check or credit/debit card when possible.
  
• Deter pickpockets and purse-snatchers. Don't overburden yourself with packages. Be extra careful with purses and wallets. Carry a purse close to your body, not dangling by the straps. Put a wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket.

In an effort to be proactive during this holiday season, the police department will be deploying its theft from auto “Bait Car” in various shopping centers. The “Bait Car” is a vehicle operated by the police which contains valuable items to draw attention to it. In some cases, the vehicle may be left unlocked. The “Bait Car” is equipped to immediately notify officers when a theft or attempted theft from the vehicle is made, and the criminal activity of the suspect(s) is video recorded.

For more information please contact the Gaithersburg Police Department at 301-258-6400 or visit www.gaithersburgmd.gov/police.

Source:
http://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/poi/default.asp?POI_ID=309&TOC=107%3B85%3B309%3B&id=6524