The county’s Department of Transportation will implement its Seniors and Persons with Disabilities Ride Free Program for the long term, including after fares are resumed on the county bus system — Ride On, Ride On extRa, Flex, and Flash buses, officials announced.
The program also will be in effect for select Metrobus routes operated within the county by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, which began collecting fares again earlier this year.
“For many in our senior and disability community, mobility can pose compounded challenges,” County Executive Marc Elrich said in a press release. “I remain committed to supporting an inclusive approach to ensure equity for all of our residents.”
Metro buses began offering free fare for seniors and persons with disabilities on July 1 on routes C2, C4, C8, F4, J1, J2, K6, K9 (service to be restored in September), L8, Q1, Q2, Q4, Q5, Q6, T2, Y2, Y7, Y8, Z2, Z6, Z7, and Z8.
To get a free ride, eligible customers must show the bus operator, without tapping the farebox, one of the following:
- A Senior SmarTrip card
- A Reduced Fare SmarTrip photo ID card
- A Medicare card with a current photo ID
- A MetroAccess card
All riders using the public transportation system must wear face coverings for the duration of their trips as required by the federal masking mandate. All county buses have a supply of face coverings for riders who don’t have one of their own.
“2008 06 03 – 2228 – Rockville – Ride On Bus on Research Blvd” by thisisbossi is licensed under CC-BY-SA 2.0