Montgomery County's Ride On bus service is making headlines for a notable increase in its ridership, reflecting a reversal from pandemic trends and signaling a green shift in commuting habits. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) recently announced a 20% year-over-year rise in ridership, placing it second in the nation among mid-sized transit systems for growth, as reported in an official statement. This positions the service behind only transit systems serving between 15 million and 50 million riders.
According to the American Public Transportation Association's (APTA) 2024 ridership report, the Ride On bus system has provided over 18.5 million rides in the current fiscal year—a significant jump from the previous fiscal year's 15.4 million. Mentioning this climb, County Executive Marc Elrich credited the system's efforts to adapt to changing community needs, such as the transition to zero-emission buses and the introduction of new services like the Ride On extRa and the Flash Bus Rapid Transit system. "The Ride On transit system provides crucial links to employment, education and vital services to our residents," Elrich said, as noted by MCDOT.
Not only have weekend schedules seen improvements, but weekdays particularly stand out with more than 58,000 riders using the service daily in Fiscal Year 2024, which represents an increase from the 46,000 daily riders seen in the preceding year. MCDOT Director Chris Conklin stated, "Our ridership numbers show that more people are choosing public transportation, and we hope to see those numbers continue to grow," as mentioned by MCDOT.
Beyond the rise in patronage, MCDOT has been proactive with service enhancements and infrastructure investments. New dedicated bus lanes, more efficient service changes, and upgraded bus stops have been implemented to support pedestrian and cyclist access and safety. Notably, Ride On's affordability stands with a $1 bus fare and monthly passes available at $22.50. Moreover, discounted fares are extended to seniors, persons with disabilities, and youth under 18, who can ride free with specialized SmarTrip cards.
Further details on the MCDOT's programs and services, including Ride On's affordable fares and expansions, can be found on their website. In addition, interested individuals can follow updates on social media platforms including X, Bluesky, Facebook, and Instagram, or by subscribing to the "Go Montgomery!" newsletter.
