Ride On Reimagined Year 1 and the Better Bus Network Launched on June 29, 2025

On June 29, 2025, Montgomery County and the region took a major step forward in public transportation when Ride On Reimagined Year 1 and WMATA’s Better Bus Network both officially launched. These coordinated updates were designed to work hand in hand, improving service, simplifying transit, and helping you get to where you need to go faster and more reliably across both transit services.

What has changed with Ride On Reimagined Year 1?

Ride On Reimagined is Montgomery County’s plan to update and modernize Ride On bus service based on data and community feedback, ensuring our transit system reflects how and where people travel today – not where they traveled 20 years ago.

Year 1 of the Ride On Reimagined service plan brings:

• New routes designed to serve growing areas and simplify rider navigation.
• Route adjustments to improve on time service and better meet current demand with where riders live, work, and travel.
• Route retirements in favor of more effective service.
• Improved frequency for shorter wait times on busy routes, including better weekend and evening service.

What has changed with WMATA’s Better Bus Network?

The Better Bus Network reimagined Metrobus routes across the Washington D.C. region, including Montgomery County, as part of WMATA’s transit system redesign.

Here is what is different:

• Streamlined route naming system for clarity and ease in identifying Metrobus services by location, e.g. all Montgomery County routes will begin with the letter “M.”
• More frequent service where riders need them most on high demand routes.
• Expanded coverage in underserved areas to address transit gaps and better regional connectivity, especially in areas where Ride On and Metrobus overlap.

Navigating Both Systems Together

These changes were planned in collaboration to make transfers and navigation more aligned. By aligning our service changes, Ride On and WMATA reduce confusion and give riders a more seamless transit experience across both systems.

How to navigate the changes:

• Visit Ride On Reimagined Frequently Asked Questions for a list of affected routes
• Visit WMATA’s Better Bus webpage for updates
• Use WMATA’s trip planning tool and Ride On Trip Planner to see new trip options as of June 29
• Look out for new signage at transit centers and affected bus stops

The coordinated effort between Ride On and WMATA represents a shift in how we deliver bus service to Montgomery County and the larger region, with a goal of building a transit system that works better for everyone. A better, more reliable transit system is here, and we’re excited to "Ride On" with you into the future.

For the most up-to-date bus service information, riders should follow @RideOnMCT on X, Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. In addition, information is available at rideonbus.com, by subscribing to receive email alerts or by texting MONTGOMERY RIDEON to 62463 (previously 468311) to receive text alerts. Message and Data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. Reply HELP for help or contact support@granicus.com, reply STOP to cancel. Visit Montgomery County's Wireless Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy for more information.

For information on MCDOT programs and services visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, follow @MCDOTNow on X, Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram and subscribe to MCDOT’s “Go Montgomery!” newsletter.  

If you need an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) reasonable accommodation to access Ride On bus service, contact MC311 by voice at 240-777-0311, by email RideOn.CustomerService@montgomerycountymd.gov or TTY 711.

Title VI: Montgomery County assures that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, as provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Civil Rights Act of 1987, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity.