With the October 2017 launch of the limited-stop Ride On
extra service fast approaching, 17 new, specially-branded buses have started to arrive in Montgomery County.
Features on the new buses include easy access boarding,
WiFi, USB charging ports and informational monitors. A Transit Signal Priority
(TSP) system will expedite travel speeds while helping to improve reliability
for Ride On extRa. The TSP will detect Ride On extRa buses as they approach a
traffic signal and could provide a few extra seconds of green light to allow
the bus to get through the intersection. There will also be specially-branded
bus shelters with real time arrival information displays for this service.
Ride On will be bringing one of the buses to various events
around the county this summer, including the Montgomery County Agricultural
Fair, as part of a “welcome tour” to give the community the opportunity to get
a “feel” for the new service.
The Ride On extRa service will provide a faster option for
bus riders during rush hours as it will make only 12 stops along Maryland Route
355 between the Lakeforest Transit Center in Gaithersburg and Medical Center
Metrorail Station in Bethesda.
Learn more about Ride On
extRa online.
To keep Ride On bus
fares consistent with rates approved by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit
Authority (WMATA), the Montgomery County Council approved the following transit rate changes that began June 25, 2017. The new fares
are shown below.
- Ride On fare paid with SmarTrip® Card, cash or
token - $2.00
- Metrorail-to-Ride On bus transfer with SmarTrip®
Card - $1.50
- Route 70 bus fare paid with SmarTrip® Card,
cash, or token - $4.25
- Metrorail-to-Route 70 bus transfer with
SmarTrip® Card - $3.75
- Senior* with identification card (except from
9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays and Saturday, when free)
* with
SmarTrip® Card, cash fare or token - $1.00
* Metrorail-to-Ride
On bus transfer (SmarTrip® only) - $0.50
* Local
bus transfer within 2 hours of initial trip (SmarTrip® Card only) - Free (no
change)
- Senior* with identification card for express
Route 70 (except from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays, when free)
* with
SmarTrip® Card, cash fare or token - $2.10
* Metrorail
to Route 70 bus with SmarTrip® Card - $1.60
* Local
bus to Route 70 bus with SmarTrip® Card - $1.10
* Boarding
with weekly or monthly pass with SmarTrip® Card - $1.10
Ride On’s Monthly
pass, which allows for unlimited rides during the month, remains unchanged and is a
bargain at only $45. The Youth Cruiser monthly and summer passes also remain
unchanged at $11 and $18, respectively.
For more information, visit www.RideOnBus.com.
Ride On passengers donated 5,979 pounds of food this year
during the annual Give & Ride food drive that was held April 23-29. Riders
received free trips by donating canned or nonperishable food for Montgomery
County residents who are experiencing hunger.
“We appreciate the kindness of our
passengers and employees who donate food for those in our County who are
struggling,” said County Executive Isiah Leggett.
The Montgomery County Department of
Transportation organizes the annual food drive. Food collected goes to the
Manna Food Center, which provides food for 35,000 individuals annually. The
non-profit organization based in Gaithersburg provides food for 3,000 families
each month and distributes weekly “Smart Sacks” of nutritious food to 2,800
local elementary school students.
The new Route 73 hit the road on May 14, giving Clarksburg
residents a faster connection to Metrorail’s Red Line.
Route 73 provides express bus service from the Cabin Branch
community in Clarksburg, which is on the west side of Interstate 270, to the
Shady Grove Metro station via Old Baltimore Road. The route also serves the
Gateway Center Business Park.
Regular Ride On fares and discount programs apply on this
route. View
the Route 73 schedule to plan your ride.
Thousands of residents showed their support for bicycle
commuting all over Montgomery County and the Washington D.C. metro area on Bike
to Work Day on Friday, May 19.
Representatives of Ride On and the Montgomery County
Department of Transportation, including Director Al Roshdieh, gathered at the
Dawson’s Market pit stop in Rockville to greet riders.
To learn more about Bike to Work Day, visit https://www.biketoworkmetrodc.org/.
|
