Montgomery County Increased Ride On Bus Service Starting

Montgomery County Increased Ride On Bus Service Starting Sunday,

March 13, 2022

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) increased Ride On

bus service beginning Sunday, March 13. The new schedule changes will return bus

service to 86 percent of pre-COVID levels.

The new increase in service will reflect a 6 percent increase from the temporary January

reduction due to the number of employees who were sick from or exposed to COVID-19

during the recent surge.

Routes that will resume service or increase frequency include:

• Ride On Flex, the on-demand service in Wheaton/Glenmont and Rockville, will

resume service.

• Ride On extRa, the limited-stop service along MD 355 between Lakeforest

Transit Center and Medical Center, will resume service.

• Flash, the bus rapid transit bus line servicing US 29, will resume full weekday

service and will continue to service the Food and Drug Administration campus in

White Oak.

• Ride On buses will increase service on routes 9, 14, 20, 30, 43, 56, 61, 63, and

100.

Trip planning and real-time bus arrival information is available at RideOn.app. Ride On

bus service remains free for all riders until at least July 2.

“Restoring our bus services are a priority and our service levels are moving in the right

direction,” said MCDOT Division Chief of Transit Services Dan Hibbert.

MCDOT is actively hiring new operators offering paid CDL license training, a

competitive benefits package and ongoing professional development opportunities.

Potential applicants can get more information and apply here. Search “bus” or

“operator” under the job search tab.

“Many County residents depend upon our Ride On bus system for essential trips,” said

MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “We are thankful that many of our bus operators have

been able to return to work, and we have ramped up our hiring efforts so that we can

continue to increase service levels.”

Montgomery County to Celebrate ‘Transit Driver Appreciation Day’ on

Friday, March 18, and Encourages Community Support for Bus

Operators

Montgomery County will join in the worldwide celebration of “Transit Driver Appreciation

Day” on Friday, March 18, with County Executive Marc Elrich presenting a proclamation

recognizing the day at 12:30 p.m. at the Silver Spring Bus Depot. County Executive Elrich

will be joined by County Department of Transportation Director Chris Conklin, UFCW Local

1994 MCGEO President Gino Renne, and other County representatives.

This event will be dedicated to celebrating the service of public transit employees and will be

streamed live on the @MCDOTNow Twitter account at https://twitter.com/MCDOTNow.

Since 2009, Transit Driver Appreciation Day has been commemorated on March 18. The

County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is one of many public transportation

providers to recognize the public service of transit employees on this day. The County

employs more than 650 bus operators to support the transit services that include Ride On,

Ride On extRa, Flex and Flash.

“Montgomery County residents rely on our transportation system as a lifeline,” said County

Executive Elrich. “When everyday life came to a halt early in the pandemic, MCDOT Ride

On bus operators adapted quickly and were on the front lines to keep Montgomery County

moving. The dedication, work ethic and resilience of each of these behind-the-scenes

heroes have proved them to be leaders in times of need. I’m pleased the County Council

recently approved my recommendation for a bus operator and transit coordinator salary

increase. We are now providing competitive compensation that is well deserved.”

Ride On bus service provides more than 40,000 riders affordable transportation throughout

the County. Many riders do not own or have access to a vehicle and rely upon this equitable

system. Currently, fees have been suspended to use Ride On, Ride On extRa, Flash and

Flex service through July 2.

MCDOT encourages riders and residents to say “thank you” to their bus driver on this day.

“Bus Operators are essential employees that report to work during poor weather conditions

and other difficult situations,” said Director Conklin. “These dedicated men and women have

provided the transportation means for thousands of other essential workers, such as

medical and food service workers as well as first responders throughout the pandemic. They

provide essential trips for thousands of residents who do not own cars. These unsung

heroes deserve recognition and thanks for doing an incredible job, every day no matter the

circumstance.”

Passengers may also take a photo with a “Thank You” sign, then tag @RideOnMCT and

@MCDOTNow on Twitter with the hashtag #TransitAppreciationDay to receive a free

SmarTrip card while supplies last. Once the photo is posted, direct message Ride On with

an address noting where to mail the SmarTrip card. Comments and notes of thanks are also

appreciated.

MCDOT supports about 80 bus routes covering 1,463 miles throughout the County. Bus

service was reduced slightly in January due to a number of operators being out sick or

exposed to COVID-19. On March 13, service was increased to 86 percent of pre-COVID

levels.

MCDOT is actively hiring new operators and offering paid CDL license training, a

competitive benefits package and ongoing professional development opportunities. More

information is available at RideOnBus.com under the "Jobs" tab. Applicants must be at least

21 years old and can apply here.

Ride On - A Look Back at 47 Years of Innovation

On March 25, Ride On will celebrate 47 years

of service. For the past 47 years, Ride On has

been at the forefront of transit growth and

opportunity in Montgomery County. The bus

service has continued to learn and adapt to

the growing needs of the community,

economy, and environment. To fully grasp

where Ride On is headed, it’s worth looking at

where it has been.

The Ride On system, the first county-run bus

service in the Washington, DC area, debuted

in 1975 with 20 buses and was designed to

provide service in Takoma Park and Silver

Spring where large buses could not travel,

and a dial-a-ride operation in Gaithersburg.

Deemed to be more efficient economically

than other public transportation options at the

time, within weeks of its introduction, the bus

service was transporting twice the number of

riders originally projected – nearly 2,000

passengers each day.

Three years after Ride On started service, in

1978, Montgomery County expanded the

popular bus service to 22 routes with 79

buses. This move increased ridership from

about 4,000 passengers per day to more than 12,000.

The bus service extended to include Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Langley Park, White

Flint, and Wheaton. The Silver Spring Metro station was the focal point. At that time,

the Ride On fare was 25 cents and operated Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. until

8 p.m. with six routes running on Sunday. The first Ride On buses had seats for 19

passengers and cost about $21,000 each. By 1978, 23- to 27- seaters were being

phased in at $30,000 a bus.

Once Metro’s Red Line extension to Shady Grove was up and running in 1984, Ride On

added more than 20 routes. The buses transported passengers to their jobs in

Rockville, Germantown, and Gaithersburg. By 1986, additional service started to

Damascus and Urbana from Shady Grove and ridership was at 10 million a year.

Ride On celebrated its 25

anniversary in 2000 by painting two buses uniquely to

commemorate the milestone and offered 25-cent daily fares and $1.50 regional passes

for all passengers for the rest of the year. The bus service offered free weekday rides

with its “Kids Ride Free” program.

In 2006, Ride On began accepting SmarTrip® cards. In addition, Ride On debuted its

first hybrid-electric buses and had 13 operating by the end of 2007.

In recent years, Ride On has expanded to operate three additional services: Ride On

extRa, Ride On Flex and Flash Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). Ride On extRa limited stop

service, which started in 2017, runs on Maryland Route 355 making 13 stops between

Medical Center Station and the Lakeforest Mall Transit Center.

Ride On Flex is an on-demand bus service that began operating in 2019. It carries

passengers around Rockville, Glenmont, and Wheaton designated service areas.

Riders can request service by using an app or the call center. Flash BRT began offering

rapid transit along U.S. Route 29 in 2020, which featured faster service with high-

capacity buses. Additional Flash BRT lines are being designed along Veirs Mill Road,

MD 355, New Hampshire Avenue and in North Bethesda.

Ride On’s first four all electric buses began service in 2020 in Silver Spring/Takoma

Park, ten (10) more electric buses will be added this year and a commitment has been

made to transition the fleet to all electric buses by 2035. The electric buses can run a

full day on a single charge, offer sustainable mobility solutions, since they significantly

reduce GHG emissions, air and noise pollution, and dependence on fossil fuels.

In addition, County Executive Marc Elrich’s proposed Capital Improvements Budget

includes $655 million in mass transit improvements to decrease the climate impact of

transportation in the County, including $154 million to start to convert Ride On to a zero-

emission fleet.

As Ride On looks for ways to continue to upgrade and improve service moving forward,

the bus service is working on a few new initiatives. First, Ride On launched a

comprehensive study – the Ride On Reimagined Study – last month. The study aims to

take a critical look at the County’s current and future bus network and transit systems,

including Metrobus and the planned Purple Line, to pinpoint where improvements can

be made. The study is based on experience and feedback from the community.

Another program is the Bus Priority Program which was created by a group of MCDOT

and Montgomery County staff members last year. The program focuses on

advancements for bus operations including dedicated bus lanes, bus signal prioritization

and enhanced bus stops. The first project created dedicated bus lanes around the

Germantown Transit Center.

The Great Seneca Transit Network is also being designed and constructed currently.

The plan is for hubs at Shady Grove Metrorail Station, the Universities at Shady Grove,

and Adventist Shady Grove Hospital. The service which will be branded as Ride On

extRa is slated to start in 2024 and will provide transportation to jobs, education, and

healthcare. It will include 11 stations, dedicated bus lanes, transit signal priority at seven

intersections and new bike and pedestrian connections.

Today, Ride On has a fleet of 382 ADA-accessible buses, 75% use alternative fuels.

The bus system is one of the busiest, and the second largest in the region, which

operates 7 days a week on over 80 routes and 5,405 bus stops.

A recent report released by a regional coalition of business and smart growth

organizations commends Montgomery County for its Flash bus service, free fares for

Ride On service, and leadership in many respects in regards to regional bus service.

On March 25, Ride On will have street teams at 4 Metro stations and 3 Transit Centers

– Silver Spring, Germantown, and Takoma Langley Crossroads transit centers; and

Rockville, Shady Grove, Glenmont and Friendship Heights Metro stations. The street

teams will meet and greet our riders, share information, give away promotional items

and free SmarTrip cards.

Feature Interview with MCDOT Passenger Facilities Manager –

Wayne Miller

Please explain your role and your team’s role and its direct impact on Ride On

operations.

The Passenger Facilities team’s core responsibility is to provide convenient, accessible

and a safe environment for Ride On commuters to access transit services while

minimizing any risk to bus operators and vehicles, so that they in turn can take

commuters to their destination. To fulfill this responsibility, we are tasked with

designating bus stop locations, ensuring accessibility, as well as allocating and

maintaining any comfort amenities provided.

The team of 4 full time persons has responsibility for over 5,400 bus stops, 484 bus

shelters, 1,424 benches, 3 Transit Centers and 14 Park & Ride lots with the assistance

of contractors, other MC-DOT departments, and partner jurisdictions.

What is your team’s relationship with WMATA in regard to bus stops and

shelters?

Our team works closely with WMATA’s bus planning and facilities teams to maintain bus

stops and shelters within the County’s jurisdiction. WMATA retains responsibility for

designating a location as a bus stop and maintains their own signage and poles, while

we maintain our signage on these shared poles. All maintenance issues arising around

WMATA bus stops are addressed by our team with the exception of the City of Takoma

Park, which provides some maintenance and amenities support similar to the Cities of

Gaithersburg & Rockville.

How many bus stops and shelters are there and how can a rider request new

ones?

There are currently over 5,400 bus stops and 484 active shelters maintained by the

County. The Cities of Gaithersburg, Rockville and Takoma Park manage their own

bench and shelter program and have an approximate combined 305 active shelters.

New shelters can be requested through our department and if falls within another

jurisdiction we will provide the appropriate contact information. Shelters are prioritized

based on specific bus stop characteristics such as, available space, local commuter

features (seniors, young children, shopping, etc.), and ridership. Typically, the higher

the ridership at a given location will increase prioritization for a shelter or bench.

Why are some shelters lighted and others are not?

Our goal is to have all bus shelters lit. Approximately 125 of the 484 are currently

supplied by solar power and the remainder by Pepco. However, in many locations, trees

have overgrown the shelters preventing sufficient solar exposure and requiring us to

convert to Pepco to maintain power, as we try to avoid cutting down trees as much as

possible. Periodically, shelters my lose power because of disruptions in Pepco supply,

power surges or defective equipment. We endeavor to correct these issues as soon as

they arise.

Why do some shelters have advertising panels and others do not?

Not all shelters have the ability for advertising as our original shelter agreement

stipulated that as many as 100 shelters must be kept ad free for installation at sensitive

locations such as schools and churches. The County’s recently implemented Ride On

extRa service on Rockville Pike, features bus shelters at all bus stops that do not allow

for commercial advertising. Future expansion of the extRa service may or may not

continue this approach.

What is MCDOT doing to assist the disabled at passenger facilities?

To provide for safe and accessible bus stops for disabled passengers, the County

began a Bus Stop Improvement Program approximately 11 years ago that has provided

upgrades to approximately 4,622 bus stops, to include ADA curb ramps with detectable

surface warnings, minimum 5 feet wide by 8 feet long level landing area, and a

minimum of 4 feet of clearance within and around bus shelters to accommodate

comfortable maneuvering of a wheelchair. Required improvements are specific to

locations as a result of terrain, availability of sidewalks, and potential conflicts with other

modes of transportation such as pedestrians, bicycles, and vehicles.

These upgrades include WMATA designated bus stops and are complemented by

similar programs within the jurisdictions of the Cities of Rockville, Gaithersburg, and

Takoma Park.

Does your team have any responsibilities at Metro stations?

WMATA provides all maintenance and management of its Metro stations within the

County with the exception of the Takoma/Langley Transit Center which is owned and

maintained by the Maryland State Highway Administration. Our team does update the

posted schedules at the Paul Sarbanes (Silver Spring) Transit Center.

Many organizations were forced to close or suspend operations due to the

pandemic, but Ride On never shut down operations. What role did you and your

team play to ensure that Ride On continued its services?

Unfortunately, our team has not escaped the impact of the COVID pandemic but has

tried to maintain our high level of service by relying more on our Contractors, who have

risen to the occasion. That includes continuing to remove trash, repair shelters, install

sign poles, temporary bus stop and shelter relocations, etc.

Ride On Reimagined Study Updates

The Ride On Reimagined Study is a comprehensive, forward-looking assessment of the

bus network that will result in significant recommended changes to how transit operates

in Montgomery County based on current and future needs. This study will take an in-

depth look at Montgomery County’s existing and planned transit systems, including

Metrobus services that operate within the County limits and the future Purple Line. The

study will also provide an opportunity to guide the future direction of Ride On through

data analysis and community engagement. The study will have the primary goal of

recommending system-wide changes that address the current and future needs of the

community it serves for both Ride On and Metrobus services. From September 23

through November 1, 2021, the public was invited to provide comments and ideas for

the study. We received over 200 comments. The final scope of the study can be found

on our website.

The study will examine the current conditions and the anticipated future of Ride On’s

service area. The study will engage community leaders, activists, transit riders, and

support organizations to gather feedback. An evaluation will be conducted to assess

route structure, connectivity, span, and frequency of service through market research

analysis, review of land use development, and anticipated technology advancements.

The study will also address the County’s priorities to improve racial equity and prevent

climate change. The image of transit services is important to attract riders. Therefore,

an evaluation of Ride On’s branding will be examined. In conclusion, the study will set

the framework for a plan with recommendations and implementation strategies that best

align with the transportation goals of Montgomery County.

• Establish final goals and outcomes with stakeholder input.

These goals align with the MCDOT Priority Areas: Safety and Vision Zero,

Environmental and Climate Resiliency, and Economic Development and

Equitable Access. They serve to set expectations for the study and have

measurable impacts to evaluate once service concepts are developed.

• Begin analysis of the network and service’s existing conditions.

This analysis includes county service areas and levels, route alignments, travel

patterns, and route classifications, such as local or limited service. Existing

conditions set a baseline for how the system operates, and what this study aims

to achieve in service improvements.

• Initiate data collection that supports the existing conditions analysis.

The data collection effort incorporates ridership data, origin-destination patterns,

schedule adherence, previous studies, and trip generators. Data provides a

quantitative starting point for the service levels and use of the network. Data

gathered will consolidate information from the county’s master plans and transit

priority plans, to ensure that this study is in alignment.

• Goals and Outcomes: February-May 2022

This task establishes the goals of the study with stakeholder input. Goals will be

measurable and quantifiable, and based on the MCDOT priority areas: Safety

and Vision Zero, Environment and Climate Resiliency, Economic Development,

and Equitable Access.

• Existing Conditions Analysis: February-June 2022

This task will be a comprehensive analysis of Montgomery County’s bus network

(both Ride On and Metrobus) to include: current and pre-pandemic conditions,

ridership and travel patterns, performance and scheduling adherence, and a

classification of routes.

• Service Standards, Policies, and Guidelines: April-July 2022

These tasks set service standards for bus service, that is, what defines high-

quality bus service in the County. It will include a classification of routes, and

consider how frequently and when service should operate, and establish fare

collection policies.

• Stakeholder and Public Engagement: Ongoing Throughout the Study

Various local agencies, businesses, government officials, and transit providers

and municipalities constitute the stakeholders that will help shape the structure of

the study and provide guidance at various stages throughout the process.

A comprehensive public engagement plan that emphasizes transparency and

open communication will be drafted and implemented. Project team members will

share information and engage the public using the MCDOT website, social media

platforms, pop-up events, at open houses, and in small group discussions.

• Bus Network Assessment: February 2022-December 2022

A market and infrastructure analysis and peer transit system analysis serves as

the foundation for this assessment. Peer transit systems include those that

largely meet the goals identified for the Montgomery County bus network and are

comparable in terms of the size of the operation and geographic service area.

• Service Concepts and Recommendations: December 2022-September 2023

Service concept development is the planning of the reimagined Montgomery

County bus network. Work done to this point will serve as the foundation for new

service designs and concepts. These concepts will detail how they meet study

goals, impact riders, improve the system’s performance, and impact the County

financially, culminating in a detailed list of recommendations of preferred

concepts based on an overall evaluation of the network’s strengths and

weaknesses.

• Service and Implementation Plan: October 2023-January 2024

The service concepts and (resulting) recommendations will guide the Service and

Implementation Plan. The implementation proposal will consider making network

changes simultaneously, or in phases. The plan will emphasize key components

of the previously recommended concepts and include a marketing plan to launch

the service.