December 1, 2021

Free Ride On Bus Service Extended Through July 2

Free Ride On bus service will be extended through July 2. Early in the COVID-19 health crisis, the fares were suspended and a series of actions has continued the free service.

The Montgomery County Council voted this week to extend the free service. It had voted on Sept. 28 to extend the Ride On fare holiday through Jan. 2 in order to review the Ride On Fare Equity Study and County Executive Marc Elrich’s recommendations regarding future Ride On fares.

In May, the Council approved County Executive Elrich’s funding request for the County’s Department of Transportation (MCDOT) to conduct the Fare Equity Study for Ride On. The study was conducted through a MCDOT consultant.

A report by the Council’s Office of Legislative Oversight showed that 47 percent of Ride On customers have an annual household income below $30,000, 47 percent are people of color and 42 percent speak a language other than English at home.

The Council staff report and resolution can be found here.