Montgomery County commuters, listen up because changes are brewing for the Ride On bus system. Set to roll out on June 29, the MCDOT has unveiled plans for what's dubbed the most significant update in the transit network's history. The transformation comes after a substantial period of planning and collaboration, which involved gathering community feedback and syncing up with WMATA's Better Bus Network that's launching on the same day.
The shift aims to streamline connections to Metro, offering riders better-aligned routes and schedules that respond to their actual travel needs. With this in mind, it's worth noting that the usual May service change was pushed back to late June with the intent of introducing a seamless transition for passengers. For those ready to deep dive into the specifics, the Ride On's rundown of changes can be accessed on RideOnBus.com starting May 19, with printed versions available come June 15.
Changes on the table include giving Route 10 the axe, tweaking routes 34, 41, and 42, and rolling out a brand-new Route 40 to the mix. To fill the void left by Route 10, WMATA will introduce Metrobus routes M12, M42, M44, and M60 to keep commuters on the move. According to information published on May 22nd by MCDOT, these adjustments align resources with demand, translating to more reliable service for riders. As these changes happen, new bus stop signs will pop up informing about both existing and upcoming services set for June 29.
The Ride On Trip Planner app remains the go-to tool for riders to plan trips and get real-time bus arrival info. Additionally, full details of the concurrent Metrobus changes can be found online for those who want to stay fully informed. Remember, adaptations like these come with a learning curve, adjusting to new habits while out and about, so do yourself a favor and give those changes a once-over to avoid any last-minute scrambles to your commute. For the curious, WMATA has also rolled out a Frequently Asked Questions page to demystify any lingering uncertainties about the switch-up.
