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Wheels on
the buses are going round and round at the Paul S. Sarbanes Transit Center in
Silver Spring now that the three-story structure on Colesville Road has
officially opened to the general public.
The Transit
Center, which opened in the early morning hours on Sunday, September 20,
features more than 30 bus bays serving Metrobus, Ride On, the FDA Shuttle and
the University of Maryland Shuttle, and provides a direct connection to the Red
Line Metrorail station and the MARC train. In particular, Ride On has 20 routes
that serve the center.
New customer
amenities are located throughout the fully ADA accessible Transit Center,
including real-time bus departure information, public restrooms, water
fountains, escalators, elevators, push-to-talk buttons, bike racks/lockers and
neighborhood map displays. Taxi service and Kiss & Ride spaces are also
available.
The Silver
Spring TRiPS Commuter Store has relocated to the Transit Center to provide
in-person travel information and assistance. It is open from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
weekdays.
Montgomery County built the facility, and Metro
is in charge of operating it. For more information on the Transit Center,
including a directory map, visit www.wmata.com/bus.
To improve
efficiencies and better reflect traffic patterns, Ride On made adjustments to
22 of its routes. The changes took effect on September 20.
Affected
routes include 1, 5, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 22, 26, 28 VanGo Free
Circulator, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 64, 70 and 98. Click on a route to view the
updated schedule.
“We are
improving our service within our resources to enhance the Ride On customer
experience,” stated Carolyn Biggins, Chief of the Division of Transit Services.
All of the
affected routes have been adjusted due to run time changes, but three of the
routes have additional modifications. The changes are as follows:
Route 16
As the
Maryland Transit Administration nears completion of the Takoma-Langley Transit
Center, Route 16 has shifted slightly to access the new transit center. Northbound Route 16 will turn off New
Hampshire Ave. at University Blvd. and continue onto New Hampshire Ave. via
Lebanon Street. Riders are directed either to the bus stop on New Hampshire
Ave. at Holton Lane or the bus stop on University Blvd. at Rite Aid until the transit center opens.
Route 22
Route 22 added
three trips to the schedule due to demand.
Route 28
The Route 28 VanGo Free Circulator was revised to more efficiently access the new entrance to the Paul S. Sarbanes (Silver Spring) Transit Center. Rather than turning from Fenton Street onto Wayne
Ave., Route 28 will turn right from Fenton Street onto Thayer Ave. and left
onto Georgia Ave. This will eliminate four bus stops near the transit center
while adding one bus stop on Fenton Street that serves the new Silver Spring
library.
It’s easier
than ever to use a Youth Cruiser SmarTrip Card now that cardholders can tap it
on the farebox when they board the bus.
The card
should be tapped on the farebox when boarding at all times, including during
the Kids Ride Free period from 2-8 p.m. on weekdays. Money will only be
deducted from the card, however, when it is used outside of the free period.
Cash value or a pass must be loaded to the card to ride outside of the free
hours.
By tapping the card on the farebox, you’re
helping us to better track the number of youth riders on our buses and maintain
the support needed to continue the Kids Ride Free program.
Do you want
to put your video creation skills to the test? Ride On is looking for middle
and high school students to help spread the word about Ride On’s free and
discounted kids programs by producing a fun and educational video about the
Youth Cruiser SmarTrip Card, the Monthly Pass, and the Summer Pass.
Prizes
include free bus passes, Ride On gear and the opportunity to have your video
featured on the county’s website, Montgomery County Cable Television and Ride
On’s YouTube channel.
Entries
should be sent to rideon.customerservice@montgomerycountymd.gov or uploaded to Dropbox.com by November 15, 2015. To view the contest
flyer, entry form and rules, visit www.YouthCruiser.com.
It was a hot
and humid week, but that didn’t deter the 4,062 people who stopped by Ride On’s
tent this summer at the 2015 Montgomery County Agricultural Fair in
Gaithersburg.
Ride On and
MC311 staff took turns working shifts at the fair, which was held from Aug.
14-22. Staff answered questions, distributed schedules and gave out free gifts
to the visitors each day.
We look
forward to seeing you all again next year!
It was a busy
afternoon for Ride On at the Montgomery County Public Schools annual
Back-To-School Fair on Aug. 29 as hundreds of families flocked to the transit
system’s table.
Ride On teamed
up with the school system, other government agencies, local businesses and
community organizations at the event to help prepare students and their
families for the upcoming school year.
Staff used
the outreach opportunity to educate visitors about the benefits of the Youth
Cruiser SmarTrip Card, including how students can use it to easily travel home
following after-school activities. The card can be purchased for $2 at all
county libraries, TRiPS Commuter Stores and some schools. (Visit www.YouthCruiser.com for more information.) Thousands of giveaways – including drawstring
bags, pens, coin purses, mini notebooks, coloring books, and pencils – were
distributed.
MCPS
officials reported that more than 8,000 people attended this year’s fair, which
was held on the grounds of the Carver Educational Services Center in Rockville.
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