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:
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.
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