County to Mark Flash BRT Anniversary; Expansion Planned
The county’s Department of Transportation will commemorate the first anniversary of its Flash Bus Rapid Transit service today with special greetings of riders at several Flash stations.
Ride On Schedule Changes Take Effect Sunday
Changes to 64 Ride On bus routes will take effect this Sunday, October 10, county officials announced. 25 routes that have higher ridership will see increased trips, and service after midnight will be reinstated for all routes which operated those hours prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
County Executive Recommends $1 Standard Fare for Ride On
County Executive Marc Elrich is recommending that standard Ride On fares be set at $1 and the continuation of fare-free programs such as Kids Ride Free and Seniors and Persons with Disabilities Ride Free.
Council Approves Resolution Extending Ride On Fare Holiday to 2022
The County Council yesterday voted unanimously to approve a resolution calling for the Ride On fare holiday to be extended through Jan. 1, 2022. “Free and reliable public transportation is an equity issue,” said Councilmember Evan Glass (D-At-Large).
County Council to Vote on Extending Ride On Fare Holiday
The County Council plans to vote on a resolution to extend the Ride On system’s fare holiday to Jan. 1, 2022. The resolution will be introduced today (Sept. 28) at 1:30 p.m., and a public hearing will follow, prior to the vote.
DOT Planning App to Provide Real-Time Ride On Route, Passenger Information
The county’s Department of Transportation is planning to create a crowd-sourced app that will give riders and DOT’s central dispatch real-time information on the status of bus routes and passenger counts.
DOT Commits to Free Bus Rides for Seniors, Persons with Disabilities
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, which includes Ride On, Ride On extRa, Flex, and Flash buses.
MTA Releases New Photos of Purple Line Rail Cars
The Maryland Transit Administration has released new photos of the cars that will make up the light rail vehicles serving the Purple Line.
County’s Shared Streets Program to Continue Though Summer
The county’s Shared Streets program, a pandemic initiative allowing residents and businesses to use public spaces for in-street activities such as biking, walking, outdoor dining and retail activity, will continue through the summer.
Planning Department Releases Study Recommending Ways to Strengthen Diverse Retailers
The county’s Planning Department has released a study that recommends a series of proposals that could strengthen diverse retailers in three areas. The Retail in Diverse Communities Study looked at three communities—Silver Spring, Takoma-Langley Crossroads, and Wheaton—where local businesses have faced recent challenges not only from the pandemic, but also from redevelopment (primarily Wheaton) and Purple Line construction.
Governor Announces All Residents 16 and Older Now Eligible for Vaccinations at State Mass Sites
All Maryland residents aged 16 and older are eligible as of today (April 6) for a COVID-19 vaccination at the state’s mass vaccination sites, Gov. Larry Hogan (R) announced yesterday. In addition, the governor said that all residents 16 and older will be eligible to receive a vaccine from all providers, such as pharmacies and hospitals, as of Monday, April 12.
Elrich Reverses DOT Decision; Ride On and Flash Service to Remain Free, For Now
Ride On and Flash bus service will remain free until at least the end of the fiscal year on June 30, County Executive Marc Elrich announced yesterday evening. The change reverses a Department of Transportation decision released earlier this week to start charging $2 fares again on Monday, April 5. Fare collections had been suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic.