Rebroadcast: Montgomery County Expanded an On-Demand Bus Service to Sandy Spring and White Oak

Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) added a new Ride On bus service area for Flex, an on-demand shared shuttle service. Flex Zone 918, which began service on Monday, Feb. 2, provides peak-period, book-and-go, 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. The Flex zone includes connections to the wider transit network, including Ride On bus, US 29 (Colesville Road) Flash Bus Rapid Transit, Metrobus and Metrorail.

Riders can reserve trips using the Flex mobile app or the call center at 240-301-3842 to reserve a pickup time and location. The location is typically a cross street. The Ride On Flex app is available for free download in the Apple iStore, and Google Play store and tracks the vehicle live providing arrival time estimates.

All Montgomery County buses, including Flex, are zero fare for all riders.

Flex 918 service hours are Monday through Friday from:

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

Ride On Flex Zone 918 also restores transit access for most neighborhoods previously served by Metrobus Z2, offering a flexible and accessible option for local travel.

Riders starting trips in the areas between Norwood Road, Sandy Spring Road (Route 108), and New Hampshire Avenue are directed to a nearby intersection for pickup and dropped off at the closest intersection to their destination. Disabled riders are 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, are picked up or dropped off at the designated bus stops.

Riders with disabilities can be picked up and dropped off, curbside at their location.  

Flex vehicles do not operate like traditional Ride On buses. Flex rides must be prescheduled and will only stop at designated bus stops along New Hampshire Avenue if a rider has reserved a trip to or from that specific bus stop. More information about the Flex service model is available at 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

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Release ID: 26-026
Media Contact: Emily DeTitta, 240-372-2282

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Release ID: 26-026
Media Contact: Emily DeTitta, 240-372-2282

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 X, Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram and subscribe to MCDOT’s “Go Montgomery!” newsletter.  

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.

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.