Montgomery County Department of Transportation will implement sweeping changes to the Ride On bus system on Sunday, June 29, including a zero fare policy on all Ride On, Ride On extRa, Ride On Flex and Flash buses.
In a statement to their website, MCDOT explained that the zero fare policy will expand on pre-existing programs providing free service to youth, seniors, people with disabilities and Montgomery College students. The zero fare policy is part of a larger effort to provide greater accessibility to transportation and encourage residents to use public transit.
Service changes will include changes to route names and numbers, closure of certain routes and changes to bus frequency. MCDOT designed the new model to reduce wait times and improve access to jobs, schools, and medical centers. MCDOT will remove the 10 line from Hillandale to Twinbrook, replaced by service from Metrobus lines M12, M42, M44 and M60. Route 34 serving Bethesda, Wheaton and the Medical Center will be revised to remain on Connecticut Avenue between Veirs Mill Road and University Boulevard. Ride On route 41 will provide service between Aspen Hill and Wheaton.
The new 40 route will run between Wheaton and Shady Grove, replacing parts of the former Q2, Q4 and Q6 Metrobus lines. Route 41 from Aspen Hill to Glenmont will be extended to run into Wheaton and Kensington. Route 42 will discontinue service to Boiling Brook Parkway and the Bolger Center and instead run from Montgomery Mall Transit center to North Bethesda Station.
MCDOT will post new signage at bus stops to indicate service changes.
Find more information about service changes here. Read about the zero fare policy here. For general questions, MCDOT encourages readers to check their FAQ.
