Ride On Newsletter            January 2026

COMING SOON: New Ride On Flex Zone 918 - Sandy Spring to White Oak

Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is launching a new transit option to help residents get around more easily. Beginning February 2, Ride On Flex Zone 918 will be serving the Sandy Spring to White Oak areas.

This new service will provide peak period on-demand transit service to the Ednor, Sandy Spring, Norwood, and Cloverly communities, as well as New Hampshire Avenue between Maryland Route 108 and the White Oak Transit Center. Riders get connected to the Ride On/Metrobus/Metrorail transit network.

What is Ride On Flex Zone 918?

• Ride On Flex Zone 918 is a zero-fare, on-demand neighborhood transit service designed to improve access to transit, shopping, schools, jobs, and community destinations. There are no fixed schedules, riders request a trip when they are ready and are picked up by a Ride On Flex vehicle.
• Ride On Flex Zone 918 also restores transit access for most neighborhoods previously served by Metrobus Z2, offering a more flexible and accessible option for local travel.
• The service connects to Flash BRT at the White Oak Transit Center, which serves the Silver Spring Transit Center and Metro Station.

All riders must reserve trips using the Flex mobile app or the call center at 240-301-3842. Riders starting trips in the areas between Norwood Road, Sandy Spring Road (Route 108), and New Hampshire Avenue will be directed to a nearby intersection for pickups and dropped off at the closest intersection to their destination. Disabled riders will be picked up at their location and delivered in front of their destination.

Riders starting trips from the Cloverly Shopping Center to the White Oak Transit Center, in either direction, will only be picked up or dropped off at the designated bus stops, unless disabled. Flex vehicles do not stop automatically like traditional buses and will only stop at "designated" bus stops on New Hampshire Avenue if a rider has reserved a trip and was directed to that bus stop.

Service Hours:

• Weekdays only
• 6 - 10:00 a.m.
• 2:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Check back frequently for more updates. More information about the Flex service model is available at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dot-transit/flex/.  

Ride On Flex Zone 918 Sandy Spring to White Oak reflects Montgomery County’s commitment to safe, equitable, and innovative transportation options.

New Flex Zone 918 - Sandy Spring to White Oak Map

Ride On Senior Corner: Ride On Flex

MCDOT’s on demand transit service helps you get around in defined Rockville and Glenmont/Wheaton zones. Ride On Flex has no fixed stops or fixed schedules – it comes when you book a ride during regular service hours. Flex offers curb-to-curb service for those with disabilities. Best of all, persons age 65+ and persons with disabilities ride free at all times! Read below for information on how to use Flex, including hours and zone constraints. 

Requesting a Trip

After downloading the Ride On Flex App, customers can request a trip by entering their pickup and drop-off locations within one of the two defined geo-fenced service zones in Rockville or Wheaton-Glenmont. A new zone, Flex Zone 918, serving the Ednor, Sandy Spring, Norwood, and Cloverly communities, as well as New Hampshire Avenue between Maryland Route 108 and the White Oak Transit Center, launches February 2, 2026. Customers may also call the Flex call center by dialing 240-301-3842. Trips are not provided between the zones. The Flex has no fixed stops or schedule. It comes when the customer books their trip within the regular service hours.

Service Spans

Service is operated Monday through Friday, although service times vary between the two zones. The Flex is available in Rockville from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and in Wheaton-Glenmont from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and again from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Zone 918 Sandy Spring-White Oak Service will run from 6 - 10:00 a.m. and 2:30 - 7:30 p.m. These service spans are essentially trip request windows. For example, a request received at 8:59 a.m. in the Wheaton-Glenmont zone will be provided during the 9 o’clock hour. 

Pickup and Dropoff

The Flex will pick up customers at the closest corner to their origin and destination. Although a customer’s origin or destination may remain consistent over the course of multiple trips, the pickup and drop-off corners may change depending upon the location of the Flex vehicle when the request is received. Dedicated stops have been established at the Glenmont, Rockville, and Wheaton Metro Stations for the Flex. Customers with disabilities will receive more direct, curb-to-curb service, if they selected the accessibility option when signing up or through their Flex personal account details.

The Zones

The Flex service is provided within Flex zones - Rockville and Wheaton-Glenmont, and Sandy Spring-White Oak beginning February 2. The Rockville zone is served by one vehicle and covers an area of approximately 0.7 square miles. Wheaton-Glenmont is considerably larger at 3.4 square miles and is served by two vehicles. Customers may travel to and from any location within one zone, but not between the two zones. When requesting a trip, the customer can be physically outside of a zone, but they must provide a pickup location within the zone. The service hours of the zones are unique because their design was purposefully crafted towards different trip purposes for the pilot project. For example, the Rockville zone is a mid-day service, operating from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This provides residents, employees, and students with convenient transportation for running errands, lunch trips, attending appointments, and potentially one end of a commute but it does not allow for trips by typical commuters or shift workers. By contrast, the Wheaton-Glenmont zone is more of a commuter type service operating during the morning (6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.) and evening (3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.) peaks. This service span is ideal for commuters but limits the window of time that residents and employees may use the service for errands or appointments. The new Zone 918 Sandy Spring-White Oak will run peak-period service and restore transit access for most neighborhoods previously served by Metrobus Z2.

Due to Metrorail construction, the bus loop at the Medical Center Metro Station will be closed on select Sundays through Spring 2026. As depicted in the map above, Ride On Routes 34 to Wheaton and 46 to Montgomery College Rockville will use Bus Bay H (stop #25504) and Routes 34 to Bethesda and 46 to Medical Center will use Bus Bay G (stop #25646) on Rockville Pike during the closures. Ride On Routes 30, 33, 70, and 101, which use the loop during weekday service, will not be impacted as they do not operate on Sundays.

Construction work will take place from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the following dates:

• Sunday, February 8, 2026
• Sunday, February 15, 2026
• Sunday, April 19, 2026

Ride On Winter Tips

Taking public transportation is a great alternative to avoid the hassle of driving in poor weather conditions. Our valued customers can count on Ride On to be safe and reliable, getting you to your destination while you stay warm and relaxed in our buses.  

The safety of our customers continues to be our top priority. Here are seven safety tips we recommend you take while riding with us during the winter weather:

• Plan for extra time in your commute. Winter weather conditions such as snow and ice may cause delays to the bus schedule. Planning extra time may ensure that even with the delays, you can get to your destination on time.  
• Dress accordingly. Be prepared to wait extra time for the bus to arrive. As a result, what you wear is crucial to staying warm while waiting on the bus or walking to your destination.
• Consider getting a virtual SmarTrip Card. Our hands tend to suffer the most during the winter weather because they are usually exposed due to activity. With a virtual SmarTrip card, you can simply use your phone to pay for fares while still wearing your gloves. It also saves you time looking for the physical card while staying contactless during this time. The virtual SmarTrip card is available for iOS and Android. 
• Be Visible. It gets dark early so be sure to make yourself visible to an approaching bus. Hold a flashlight or use your cell phone’s light so that the bus operator can see you at the stop. If possible, wear reflective apparel or safety items (bands, pins) for more visibility on your coat or clothing.
• Stand clear from the curb. Standing close to the curb is dangerous especially during inclement weather. Buses may slide on snow as they approach the curb. Be sure to stand clear from the curb until the bus comes to a complete stop and is ready for boarding. NEVER stand in the street. 
• Be careful when boarding and stepping off the bus. Wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before trying to board. Bus steps can become slippery from snow. Try to clean the snow off your shoes before boarding. Be sure to always use the handrails while getting on or off the bus and take your time.
• Use our Trip Planning App. Plan your trip, check bus arrival times, and get alerts when your stop is approaching with the new Ride On Trip Planner app. The app is available for download for iOS and Android devices, and in a desktop version. Download the app here.

Montgomery County Department of Transportation to Honor Rosa Parks’ Birthday and ‘Transit Equity Day’ on Wednesday, Feb. 4

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will honor the life and legacy of Rosa Parks and celebrate “Transit Equity Day” on Wednesday, Feb. 4.  

MCDOT has placed placards commemorating the civil rights activist and her impact on transit equity on all County Ride On buses. The placards will "reserve a seat" for Ms. Parks and share information. Bus cards honoring Rosa Parks can also be found on every bus. 

“I am proud to honor Rosa Parks and her work championing civil rights through transit equity on this day,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “Public transportation is vital to building a just and equitable society. Montgomery County is one of the most diverse counties in the nation. We have a duty to ensure all our residents have access to employment, education and vital services. Some communities have historically been denied access to opportunity through racist policies. Transit Equity Day is a time to reflect on that history and move forward with policies that uplift us all.” 

Transit Equity Day is observed annually on Rosa Parks’ birthday, Feb. 4, to promote public transit as a civil right. Transit Equity Day is part of a larger recognition of the contributions of Black Americans and the role of Black history in pursuit of racial justice and equality during Black History Month. Montgomery County will recognize Black employees throughout the month on the County’s social media channels. 

Bus Shelter Replacement Work at Shady Grove East 

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) will soon begin bus shelter replacement work at Shady Grove East Metrorail Station as part of its Bus Shelter Replacement Program. This project will replace existing bus shelters with newer, modern shelters designed to improve comfort, safety, and accessibility for customers. The new shelters will provide better protection from weather, improve durability and visibility, and create a more comfortable experience for customers waiting for service.

Phase 1 of construction, impacting bus Shelters A and B, is scheduled for Jan. 5 - 16.  Phase 2, impacting bus shelters C and D, is scheduled for Jan. 20 - Feb. 6.

Phase 1:

Phase 1 Bus Bay Diagram

Phase 2:

During construction:

• Some bus bays at Shady Grove East will be temporarily closed in phases.
• Ride On, Metrobus, and other transit providers may operate from temporary or alternate bus bays.
• Temporary bus stops will be ADA-compliant but may not include shelters or benches while work is underway.
• Bus bay changes are scheduled to occur early Monday mornings (around 3 a.m.) to reduce impacts during the morning commute.

Clear signs will be posted throughout the station to direct riders to the correct boarding locations, and buses will continue to serve all routes.

Riders are encouraged to:

• Allow a few extra minutes for travel through the station
• Follow posted signage and staff directions
• Visit wmata.com for service updates

We appreciate your patience as WMATA works to improve transit facilities at Shady Grove East and thanks for continuing to choose public transit.

Ride On Trip Planner App Downloaded Over 73,000 Times - Download Yours Today

The Ride On Trip Planner app makes using the Ride On bus service easier and more convenient. The app was created in partnership with Moovit, a mobility and journey provider app. Riders can download the app from the Google Play or Apple app store.

The Ride On Trip Planner app allows for trip planning across multiple modes including Ride On buses, Metrorail and Metrobuses, scooters and Bikeshare. Additionally, the app will give live reports on wait times and ridership levels for Ride On buses by utilizing a crowdsourcing information feature.

The app allows more Ride On buses to be added to busier routes based on immediate need. It also provides features to guide riders along their chosen route, including “first mile, last mile” directions to a selected bus stop, and push notifications when they have arrived. A web-based version of the app also is available. The app also includes dashboards for the Ride On Central Communications team to monitor bus loads and more quickly dispatch additional buses when buses are full.

The Ride On Trip Planner project was funded by a Federal Transit Administration grant received by MCDOT. MCDOT launched the app in partnership with the creator behind the popular urban mobility app Moovit, which has guided more than 1.7 billion users in 3,500 cities across 112 countries. Moovit’s White Label App solution is the technology behind the service.

Since its launch, our Ride On Trip Planner app has achieved remarkable milestones, including over 73,000 downloads and over 62,000 web application uses to date. The Ride On community has planned an impressive 3.3 million trips and counting, showcasing the incredible impact our app has in changing trip planning.

MCDOT encourages riders to download the app and share their experience with Ride On by emailing comments to RideOn.TripPlanner@montgomerycountymd.gov, through MC311 or via social media.

Limited Series: Ride On Reminders

MCDOT Ride On has launched a new campaign focused on reminding riders of appropriate and inappropriate behavior when aboard a public transit system. Dubbed "Ride On Reminders" this campaign includes messaging that encourages riders to keep the peace, refrain from tobacco, cannabis, and alcohol consumption, and respect others' space in a public location. Messages depicting this campaign have been featured on our Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky accounts and can be seen on bus cards and shelter ads across the county. 

This campaign is based on the Transit Passenger Bill of Rights, a code of conduct that is posted on all Ride On buses. The Transit Passenger Bill of Rights is a crucial document that outlines the rights and responsibilities of passengers using public transportation. This bill ensures that all passengers receive fair and equitable treatment while traveling, promoting a safe, reliable, and comfortable transit experience. It serves as a guideline for transit agencies to maintain high standards of service and for passengers to understand what they can expect, and what is expected of them, during their journey.

"If You See Something, Say Something" 

Remember that Ride On buses are public places that we all share. If you see any unattended belongings or suspicious activities while riding the bus, please alert your bus operator. Your vigilance can make the difference to protect yourself and other riders. 

Take Ride On to Montgomery County High Schools

With Ride On's Zero Fare policy, your child has free, reliable transportation to school, extracurriculars, and social engagements. Read below for a list of a few of the Montgomery County high schools accessible by Ride On buses. To see if your school is near a Ride On bus stop, download the Ride On Trip Planner app or use the desktop version. Remember that beginning February 1, 2026 students will need to tap a Youth Cruiser SmarTrip card to ride free on Metrobuses across the county. For more information on Youth Cruiser SmarTrip Cards, visit Youth Cruiser SmarTrip Card - Montgomery County Division of Transit Services.

• Springbrook High School: To get to Springbrook High School, take Ride On Route 21 and use bus stop #14754 on New Hampshire Avenue.

• Northwest High School: To get to Northwest High School, take Ride On Route 78 and use bus stop #15080 on Richter Farm Road.

• Montgomery Blair High School: To get to Montgomery Blair High School, take Ride On Routes 9, 21, or 22 and use bus stop #21116 on Colesville Road facing the school parking lot.

• Seneca Valley High School: To get to Seneca Valley High School take Ride On Route 74 and use bus stop #24104 on Middlebrook Road.

• Gaithersburg High School: To get to Gaithersburg High School use Ride On Route 55 or extRa (101) and use bus stop #22646 on Route 355/Frederick Avenue.

2025 Year in Review - Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s Ride On Transit Services

2025 was a landmark year for the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) and its Ride On transit system, marked by bold innovations, community engagement, and major strides toward enhanced mobility for residents throughout the county. As Ride On celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, the system not only honored its rich history of service but also accelerated into the future with newly implemented programs and policies that reshape how people travel in Montgomery County.

Fare-Free Transit for All Riders

In a transformative decision that took effect on June 29, 2025, Montgomery County eliminated fares on all Ride On bus services including Ride On, Ride On extRa, Ride On Flex, and Flash Bus Rapid Transit routes. This policy, adopted as part of the FY 2026 County budget, expands zero-fare transit access to all riders regardless of age or income. The move supports transit equity goals, improves service efficiency, and removes financial barriers to public transportation across the county.

Ride On Reimagined — New Routes and Redesigned Network

A central focus of 2025 was beginning the implementation of “Ride On Reimagined”, Montgomery County’s comprehensive service redesign initiative. After years of study and community input, Year 1 of the redesigned network was launched on June 29 in coordination with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s Better Bus Network. This effort introduced new and realigned routes designed to improve reliability, reduce redundancy, and better connect key residential and employment centers throughout the county.

These changes reflect a forward-thinking approach to public transit, positioning Ride On for continued expansion in future years with improved frequency, expanded weekend service, and enhanced coordination with regional transit partners.

Celebrating 50 Years of Service

In 2025, Ride On marked a major milestone: 50 years of continuous service. Since its launch in 1975 with just 20 buses serving Takoma Park and Silver Spring, Ride On has grown into one of the busiest transit systems in the region, operating more than 80 routes with nearly 400 ADA-accessible buses.

To honor this anniversary, Ride On held community events, special engagements like a county-wide art contest for middle school students to depict the value of Ride On, and other commemorative activities that highlighted the system’s legacy and importance to Montgomery County families.

Innovating for Sustainability: Electric Fleet and Microgrid Deployment

Montgomery County strengthened its commitment to environmental sustainability and climate goals by advancing electric transit infrastructure. In partnership with AlphaStruxure, the county celebrated the launch of a state-of-the-art integrated microgrid at the Gaithersburg Bus Depot, one of the first in the Washington region, which will provide resilient, renewable energy to support Ride On’s growing fleet of electric buses. This infrastructure move positions the County on track to house up to 70 electric buses by 2026, reducing carbon emissions and supporting long-term climate strategies.

Community Engagement and Rider Services

Throughout the year, Ride On strengthened its connection to the community through multiple engagement efforts:

• Art Contest for Montgomery County Students: An art competition encouraged middle school students to think creatively about public transit and its role in their lives, with winning entries displayed on Ride On buses and in a touring exhibition at County buildings. 
• Expanded Digital Tools: Ride On continued to modernize rider experience with digital solutions and new electronic schedules aimed at making trip planning more intuitive and responsive.

Looking Ahead

While 2025 was filled with progress and celebration, the momentum continues into 2026 and beyond. Continued scheduled service adjustments, which began January 11, 2026, have further improved route efficiency and reliability, aligning with ongoing goals to build one of the most accessible, equitable, and sustainable transit systems in the region.

Ride On’s progress this year reflects Montgomery County’s commitment to enhancing public transportation services, ensuring transit works for riders of all backgrounds, and preparing for future growth in ways that are equitable, innovative, and rider-focused.

Of Note

Ride Metrobus Free with the Youth Cruiser SmarTrip, Senior SmarTrip, and Disabled Rider Reduced Fare Cards

Montgomery County works in partnership with WMATA to ensure that students, seniors, and those with disabilities are able to ride for free with a Youth Cruiser SmarTrip, Senior SmarTrip, and reduced fare card for those with disabilities. The Youth Cruiser cards are available all MCPS middle and high schools, some MCPS elementary schools, and many private schools in Montgomery County. Youth Cruiser SmarTrip cards and Senior SmarTrip cards are available for free at all County libraries, Montgomery County Division of Treasury - Rockville, the Silver Spring TRiPS store, and the Mobile Commuter Store. Residents must bring proof of age and residency to register for their card. 

For more information about Youth Cruiser SmarTrip cards, visit Youth Cruiser SmarTrip Card - Montgomery County Division of Transit Services. For information about transit options for seniors and those with disabilities, visit Older adults and Persons with Disabilities - Transit Services - Montgomery County, Maryland.

January Service Change

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) has adjusted 36 Ride On bus route schedules which began Sunday, January 11, to improve efficiency and on-time performance. The changes reflect a shift of resources to allow for more reliable service where demand is higher. The new schedules are available at rideonbus.com and in print. 

Route changes include:

• Thirty-one (31) routes have timetable changes: 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 37, 45, 46, 55, 61, 65, 73, 76, 78, 79, 90, 101, extRa Lime, and extRa Pink
• Six (6) routes have bus bay changes: 34, 36, 42, 70, 81, and extRa Pink

Plan Your Next Trip with the Ride On Trip Planner App

Have you downloaded the Ride On Trip Planner App yet? This new, innovative app allows riders to plan their next trip and to tell how crowded a Ride On bus is – before it arrives – with the crowdedness indicator on the app. Riders can choose if they want to get on the arriving bus, wait for the next bus depending on how many people are on the bus, or choose another travel option, such as other local transit services, bikeshare, and scooter. It gives riders more control over their transportation experience. The Ride On Trip Planner app is easy to use and can be downloaded from the Google Play or Apple app store, or accessed with our desktop version.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Schedule

Below are the transportation-related holiday schedules for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 19.

• County offices - Will be closed.
• Ride On, extRa 101, extRa Lime, extRa Pink, and Flex bus services - Will operate on a Holiday schedule.  
• Ride On Flash bus service - The Orange line will operate on a Weekend/Holiday schedule. The Blue line (typically, weekday rush hours only) will not be in service.
• TRiPS Commuter Store at Silver Spring Transit Center - Will be open 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
• TRiPS Mobile Commuter Store - Will be closed.

Taxicab Meter Rate to Change in Montgomery County Beginning Sunday, Feb. 1

Beginning on Sunday, Feb.1, all Montgomery County taxicabs including wheelchair accessible vehicle taxicabs will implement a rate change from $2 per mile to $2.50 per mile. Additionally, a nighttime surcharge of $1 is being established for trips between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. 

The County’s Call-n-Ride program will continue to provide subsidies to help offset on-demand taxi transportation costs for qualifying residents. To learn more about Call-n-Ride, visit the Call-n-Ride website or call 301-948-5409 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information about taxicab operations in Montgomery County visit the Montgomery County Taxicab Regulation Office website at montgomerycountymd.gov/dot-dir/taxi_reg/taxi_user.html.

Ride On Gratitude Corner

This month's piece of gratitude comes from a car-free rider in Rockville.

"I wanted to express my deep gratitude for the free Ride On buses. We don't own a car, but we live very close to Viers Mill Road. It is so nice to be able to hop on a bus and head to Rockville Library, or out into Silver Spring. It's a great service, and I'm very grateful for it."

Transit Trivia!

Test your familiarity with Ride On’s routes, services, and more with our transit trivia! The answer will be in next month’s edition of our newsletter so make sure you tune in next month to see if you answered correctly!

Question:

Which combination best reflects how Ride On has evolved since its launch?

1. Expanded from 20 buses to nearly 400 ADA-accessible buses while adding services like Bus Rapid Transit, on-demand Flex zones, and zero-fare rides
2. Maintained a small fleet focused only on fixed-route service within Silver Spring
3. Transitioned solely into a commuter rail system serving Washington, DC
4. Reduced service areas to focus exclusively on peak-hour routes

Last month’s question:

How many riders have used the Ride On Trip Planner app at least 100 times?

1. 8,326
2. 14,702
3. 39,477
4. 49,101

Answer: (2) 14,702

For the most up-to-date bus service information, riders should follow @RideOnMCT on X, Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, Threads and YouTube. In addition, information is available at rideonbus.com, by subscribing to receive email alerts or by texting MONTGOMERY RIDEON to 62463 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  Twitter, Facebook and 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.