Ride On (bus)
{{short description|Public transportation system in Montgomery County, Maryland, US}}
{{Infobox Bus transit
| name = Ride On
| logo = Ride On logo - horizontal.svg
| logo_size =
| image = Ride On Gillig Low Floor Plus Electric 2023.jpg
| image_caption = Ride On bus at the Takoma Langley Crossroads Transit Center
| company_slogan =
| parent = Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT)
| founded = March 31, 1975
| headquarters = 101 Monroe Street, 5th Floor
Rockville, Maryland, U.S.
| locale =
| budget. = ds
| service_area =
| service_type = Local, express, and limited stop bus service, paratransit, demand responsive transport, bus rapid transit
| alliance =
| routes = 81
| destinations =
| stops =
| hubs =
| stations =
| lounge =
| fleet = 350
| ridership = {{American transit ridership|MD Rockville total daily}} ({{American transit ridership|dailydate}}){{American transit ridership|dailycitation}}
| annual_ridership = {{American transit ridership|MD Rockville total annual}} ({{American transit ridership|annualdate}}){{American transit ridership|annualcitation}}
| fuel_type = CNG, diesel, diesel-electric hybrid, battery electric
| operator =
| ceo =
| website = {{URL|https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dot-transit/}}
|-
}}
Ride On, formerly Ride-On, is the local bus system in Montgomery County, Maryland. Managed by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation, Ride On primarily serves Montgomery County, with short segments of service crossing borders into Prince George's County and Washington, D.C. It is a separate entity from WMATA, which also provides rail and bus service in Montgomery County.
In fiscal year 2018, it operated on a US$112.3 million budget.{{cite web |url=https://apps.montgomerycountymd.gov/BASISOPERATING/Common/Program.aspx?ID=51V01&PROGID=P51P02 |title=Transit Services - Ride on program |publisher=Montgomery County MD Government |access-date=November 3, 2018}} In {{American transit ridership|annualdate}}, the system had a ridership of {{American transit ridership|MD Rockville total annual}}, or about {{American transit ridership|MD Rockville total daily}} per weekday as of {{American transit ridership|dailydateasof}}, making it one of the most heavily ridden suburban bus systems in the United States.{{cite web|url=https://www.apta.com/wp-content/uploads/2024-Q4-Ridership-APTA.pdf|title=APTA 2024 Q4 Ridership Report}}
Ride On has a fleet of about 400 buses and operates 81 routes, including operating two Metrobus routes on weekends.{{cite web|url=http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/content/DOT/transit/routesandschedules/rideonroutes.asp|title=Ride on routes and schedules}}
History
{{Multiple image
|direction=vertical
|image1=Ride-On logo (1979).png
|caption1=Ride On's former logo, used in the 1970s and 1980s
|image2=Ride on (old logo).svg
|caption2=Former Ride On logo, used as the primary logo from the mid-1990s until mid-2009. It is still used on some older buses that entered service in the 2000s.}}
= 1970s–1990s =
Ride On began service on March 31, 1975, as Ride-On.{{Cite web|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/davidwilson1949/3476301282/|title=19790600 45 Ride-On bus Silver Spring, MD|date=June 1979}} Serving Silver Spring and Takoma Park, two routes were in operation: the Blue and the Green. Within a few weeks, it was carrying twice the number of passengers projected: about 2,000 riders per day. The buses were nineteen passenger Grummans. Starting in 1983, single front door TMC City Cruisers entered service. These were part of a joint order with Frederick City Transit, and shared the same paint livery. In the fall of 1984, as the Washington Metro's Red Line extension to Shady Grove was complete, Ride On saw its largest route expansion to date. Numerous routes were added to accommodate passengers who would utilize the eight new metrorail stations along the western portion of Montgomery County. At that time, Ride On began to replace a few WMATA routes that operated in Montgomery County. OBI Orion I {{convert|30|ft|adj=on}} buses were introduced that same year to allow for the added service. In 1989, 57 {{convert|30|ft|adj=on}} Gillig Phantom buses, the first buses in the second-generation blue-and-white scheme, went into service. In 1991 and 1992, 45 new Orion I {{convert|30|ft|adj=on}} buses - Ride On's last Orion Is - entered service.
In the spring of 1996, Ride On's first CNG buses, the 1996 {{convert|35|ft|adj=on}} Orion V buses, went into service. These buses retired in 2009.
= 2000s =
In 2000, Ride On buses were painted in a special livery to commemorate Ride On's founding's 25th anniversary.{{Cite web|url=https://orenstransitpage.com/transit-photography/united-states/washington-dc/ride-on/ride-on-1994-1996-gillig-phantom-buses/|title = Ride on Gillig Phantom Buses|date = 7 August 2014}}
In September 2001, Ride On buses were used to transport Montgomery County firemen to the Pentagon in Virginia to assist in search and rescue operations after the attacks which were on September 11, 2001.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH8wXJHb5aA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/YH8wXJHb5aA |archive-date=2021-12-14 |url-status=live|title=ABC (WJLA) 9-11-2001 News Coverage 11:00 PM – 12:00 AM|last=911NewsCoverage|date=4 July 2014|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/Ykx81tQLnBQ Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20210910171809/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ykx81tQLnBQ Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ykx81tQLnBQ| title = ABC World News Tonight, September 11, 2001 | website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}
In 2001, the 2001 {{convert|40|ft|adj=on}} Orion V Diesel buses (5580–5591 and 5612–5623) went into service.
In 2002, the 2002 {{convert|40|ft|adj=on}} Orion V Diesel buses (5592–5611) went into service. These were the last high floor buses, until the 2019 RideOn Flex buses.
In early 2004, Ride On's first low-floor buses, the 2003/2004 {{convert|35|ft|adj=on}} Orion VII CNG buses (5900–5932) went into service. They replaced all of the remaining 1988–1989 {{convert|30|ft|adj=on}} Gillig Phantom buses (5300–5356),
which were also Ride On's last buses without wheelchair lifts, therefore resulting in an all-accessible fleet.
In late 2005, 15 New Flyer C40LF buses (5822–5836) went into service. These were the first New Flyer buses ordered by Ride On.
In 2006, Ride On started accepting SmarTrip cards and in August 2006, all the Ride On buses started getting equipped with fareboxes.
Also in 2006, the 2005 {{convert|35|ft|adj=on}} Orion VII CNG buses went into service. These were the last Orion models ordered for RideOn. Additionally, Ride On's first five hybrid-electric buses, the 2006 {{convert|40|ft|adj=on}} Gillig Low Floor aka Gillig Advantage buses (5300–5304, formerly 5750–5754), went into service.
In 2007, eight of the 2007 {{convert|40|ft|adj=on}} Gillig Advantage Hybrid buses (5305–5313, formerly 5755–5763) went into service. Also in 2007, an order of Champion cutaway buses (5182–5231 and 5285–5296) went into service. All of these buses had fire damage and they all were retired five years later, on July 18, 2012.
Between summer and fall 2008, Ride On's first low floor diesel buses, the 2008 {{convert|29|ft|adj=on}} Gillig Advantage Diesel buses (5001–5006) and the 2008 {{convert|40|ft|adj=on}} Gillig Advantage Diesel buses (5726–5746) went into service. All of these buses were the last buses in the second-generation blue-and-white paint scheme.
In 2009, Ride On introduced a new logo and a new blue/yellow/green paint scheme. Also in 2009, the {{convert|29|ft|adj=on}} Gillig Advantage Diesel buses (5007–5031), the {{convert|40|ft|adj=on}} Gillig Advantage Diesel buses (5747–5757), and the {{convert|40|ft|adj=on}} Gillig Advantage Hybrid buses (5314–5348) all went into service. 5314 was originally numbered 5349. These buses were the only buses to have a big yellow uppercase letter "R" on the back side.
= 2010s =
In 2011, 12 of the Ride On's {{convert|40|ft|adj=on}} Gillig Low Floor hybrid buses (5349–5360) and one clean diesel bus (5758) went into service. All 13 of these buses were purchased with funds from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act. Seven additional 40' Gillig Low Floor hybrid buses (5361–5367), which were also purchased with stimulus funds from the ARRA, went into service in mid-2012.
In July 2012, all 62 of the 2007 Champion cutaway Ride On buses retired due to fires and got replaced with 30 of the 1999 30 feet Orion V buses (renumbered 5100–5129). All 30 of these units were formerly operated by Washington's WMATA.
On September 19, 2013, 12 new {{convert|40|ft|adj=on}} Gillig Low Floor clean diesel buses (5759–5770) went into service. A week later (September 26, 2013), 28 new {{convert|29|ft|adj=on}} Gillig Low Floor clean diesel buses (5032–5059) also went into service. Also, the 2013 {{convert|29|ft|adj=on}} Gillig Low Floor clean diesel buses replaced all of the 2003 model shuttle transit vehicles (STV) that were formerly operated by Pittsburgh's Port Authority of Allegheny County.
In April 2014, 19 of the brand-new 2014 {{convert|40|ft|adj=on}} Gillig Low Floor CNG buses (5837–5855) entered service. These replaced Ride On's first {{convert|40|ft|adj=on}} CNGS (5803–5821). They are Ride On's first new CNG buses in almost a decade (2005 35' Orion VII CNG buses, which went into service in 2006).
Between September and October 2014, 32 of the new {{convert|29|ft|adj=on}} Gillig Low Floor clean diesel buses (5060–5091) went into service, and replaced all of the 1999 30 feet Orion V buses (5100–5129) that were formerly operated by WMATA.
Ride On celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2015, with three buses (one from each of the three bus divisions) wrapped in the transit agency's 40th anniversary ad.
In 2016, between April and May, 40 of the new {{convert|40|ft|adj=on}} Gillig LF clean diesel buses (44000D-44039D), one bus which is {{convert|29|ft|adj=on}} Gillig LF clean diesel (42000D) and 16 of the {{convert|40|ft|adj=on}} Gillig LF CNG buses (44040c-44055c) entered service. And with the new buses came the new five-digit numbering system for Ride On, along with the addition of suffixes denoting engines with a ("C" for compressed natural gas, "D" for diesel, "E" for electric and "H" for hybrid).
Ride On extRa, a new limited bus stop service along Maryland Route 355, began on October 2, 2017, between Lakeforest Transit Center and Medical Center Metro Station. {{As of|2018|9|17|df=US}}, the route serves 13 stops. Ride On added 59 Gillig {{convert|40|ft|adj=on}} buses in summer and the fall 2017; 42 buses replaced some of the oldest vehicles in the fleet. Seventeen buses (44056D-44072D) are specially branded and used exclusively for Ride On's new extRa service that began October 2, 2017. This limited-stop service runs along Route 355 from Lakeforest Transit Center to Medical Center Metro Station. All of the 59 buses are manufactured by Gillig; 25 run on clean diesel (44056D-44080D) and 34 use compressed natural gas (44081C-44114C).{{cite web|url=https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=21097|title=Ride On to Add Dozens of New Buses to Fleet|date=May 16, 2017|access-date = May 20, 2017|website =Montgomery County Department Of Transportation|publisher=MCDOT}} Four additional {{convert|40|ft|adj=on}} CNG buses (44115C-44118C) entered service in the winter of 2018. These replaced all of the 2003 Orion VIIs and most of the 2004 Orion VII buses.
Ride On was award a $1.75 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration to purchase the county's first four electric buses and charging stations. Ride On is partnering with Proterra, the bus manufacturer, and the Center for Transportation and the Environment, a nonprofit that develops technologies and implements solutions to achieve energy and environmental sustainability. The Montgomery County Department of General Services, which purchases and maintains the Ride On buses, greatly assisted with the grant application. The four Proterra Catalyst {{convert|35|ft|adj=on}} electric buses are scheduled to serve Route 18 in Takoma Park starting in 2019. The county has applied for a separate grant to help buy 10 more electric buses through FTA's Bus and Bus Facilities Infrastructure Investment Program. The county expects to hear back around the end of the year if its application was approved.{{cite web|url=http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Bethesda-Beat/2017/Grant-Allows-Montgomery-County-To-Buy-Electric-Buses-For-Its-Fleet/|title=Grant Allows Montgomery County To Buy Electric Buses for Its Fleet|date=September 15, 2017|access-date = October 26, 2017|website =Bethesda Magazine|publisher=Bethesda Magazine}}{{cite web|url=http://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=21400|title=MCDOT's Ride On Bus System Awarded $1.75 Million FTA Grant to Purchase Electric Buses and Charging Stations|date=September 15, 2017|access-date = October 26, 2017|website =Montgomery County MD Gov|publisher=Montgomery County MD Gov}}
MCDOT Ride On received a $4.365 million grant from the FTA to replace diesel buses with 10 new, electric buses on October 1, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=22458&Dept=50|title=MCDOT Receives $4.365 Million from U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration to Purchase 10 Electric Buses|date=October 1, 2018|access-date =October 23, 2018|website =Montgomery County MD Gov|publisher=Montgomery County MD Gov}}
Ride On added 26 Gillig {{convert|40|ft|adj=on}} buses in spring 2019, replacing all the remaining Orion VII's. These buses introduced a brand new paint scheme with a wave pattern and are painted blue, dark blue, light green, and a touch of white.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mymcmedia.org/ride-on-to-unveil-new-bus-design-and-kick-off-give-and-ride-week/|title='Ride On' To Unveil New Bus Design and Kick Off 'Give and Ride Week'|last=Profitt|first=Ashley|date=2019-04-25|website=Montgomery Community Media|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-12}} 23 use compressed natural gas (44119C-44141C) and three run on clean diesel (44142D-44144D).
On April 28, 2019, Ride On announced Ride On Flex, an on-demand bus service that runs in three major metropolitan areas in the county using new, 11-passenger cutaway buses (41000D-41006D).
= 2020s =
MCDOT has a climate action plan to move to zero-emissions fleet by 2035. On September 4, 2020, Ride On's first four fully-electric buses (43000E-43003E) entered service on the routes 18 and 25 in Silver Spring and Takoma Park. They are manufactured by Proterra and can run on a single charge all day long. That same year, 39 of the 29 feet buses (42001D-42039D) and 9 of the 40 feet Gillig Advantage Diesel buses (44145D-44153D) entered service. The 2020 gilligs were the first buses that came with new text to speech announcements. 42022D-42039D were Gaithersburg's first 29 ft gilligs assigned to this bus depot to operate on lower capacity routes, including four Nicholson routes on the weekends. 42003D-42021D were at the Gaithersburg bus depot, but then they transferred to the Nicholson bus depot after many months. These 2020 Gillig Advantage Diesel buses came with the new annocement narrator that repeats bus stop names twice. These buses replaced the 2008/2009 29 feet Gillig Advantage Diesels, and the 2006/2007 Gillig Advantage Hybrid buses.{{Cite web|url=https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/transportation/montgomery-county-rolls-out-first-four-electric-ride-on-buses/|title=Montgomery County rolls out first four electric Ride On buses|website=www.bethesdamagazine.com|date=3 September 2020|access-date=2020-09-04}}
On October 14, 2020, Ride On launched its brand new BRT Flash service on US 29. The orange route operates between Silver Spring and Briggs Chaney every 15 minutes daily while the blue route operates between Silver Spring and Burtonsville every 15 minutes only during peak hours (5:30AM to 8:30 AM and 3:30PM to 7:00 PM) Monday-Friday. Ride On's first articulated (62 feet) buses (46000D-46015D) operate on the Flash service, which replaced Ride On route 129 and WMATA route Z11
In 2022, all of the Ride On buses got a new announcement narrator, except for the 2008 40 feet Gillig Advantage Diesel buses (5726-5746).
In March 2023, Ride On's first Gillig Plus Battery Electric buses (44154E-44163E) entered service. 44156E and 44158E entered service on February 15, 2023.
In July/August 2023, Ride On brought back three of the 2008 40 feet Gillig Advantage Diesel buses from retirement (5737, 5744, and 5746) to operate for the Flash BRT service.
Between late June/July 2024, Ride On brought back the remaining 2008 40 feet Gillig Advantage Diesel buses from retirement (5726, 5728, 5730, 5732–5736, 5738/5739, 5742/5743, and 5745) due to the two new Ride On extRa routes "Lime" and "Pink" that operate between the Shady Grove metro station and Traville Transit Center. As these buses returned, they got the new announcement narrator just as the other Ride On buses received in 2022.
On September 8, 2024, the first phase of the Ride On extRa Great Seneca Transit Network entered service with two new routes designated "Pink" and "Lime". These limited stop routes operate daily between the Traville Transit Center and Shady Grove Metro Station.{{Cite web |title=Great Seneca Transit Network |url=https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dot-dte/projects/GST/index.html |access-date=2024-09-08 |website=www.montgomerycountymd.gov}}
On September 12, 2024, 44164E was spotted at the Gillig Plant in California in the Ride On scheme and then later was spotted in Stevensville, MD. On September 14, 2024, 44165E was spotted in the RideOn extRa scheme in Livermore, California.
On October 2, 2024, Ride On sidelined all of their 2008 40 feet Gillig Advantage Diesel buses that were not in the FLASH scheme and those buses got replaced with some of the 2016 40 feet Gillig Advantage Diesel buses (44025D-44039D).
In January 2025, Ride On's 2008 40 feet Gillig Advantage Diesel buses that were not in the FLASH scheme were relegated to a “ready reserve” fleet, being out for the FLASH BRT during the snow blizzard. As of April 2025, these buses have been retired from revenue service.
In February 2025, RideOn brought back two of its 2009 40 feet Gillig Advantage Diesel buses (5753 and 5754) from retirement for the "ready reserve" fleet.
On March 12, 2025, the 2024 40 feet Gillig Plus Battery Electric buses (44164E and 44166E-44175E) entered service. 44165E entered service on April 24, 2025.
On April 8, 2025, 44183E was displayed at the APTA mobility conference.
On April 24, 2025, 44190E was spotted in Bladensburg, MD.
On May 17, 2025, 44181E entered service.
Ride On celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025, with three buses (one from each of the three bus divisions) wrapped in the transit agency’s 50th anniversary ad.
Additional services
Along with standard bus service, Ride On operates three additional services, Ride On extRa, Ride On Flex, and Ride On Flash.
= Ride On extRa =
RideOn extRa is a bus service that started on October 2, 2017 with route 101,a limited bus stop service via Maryland Route 355 between Medical Center station on WMATA metro train's red line and the Lakeforest Mall Transit Center. This bus route has free WiFi, USB charging ports, and more padding in the seats compared to traditional Ride On services. The fare charged is the same as on other Ride On buses, although fare loading on the bus is not permitted. {{As of|2018|9|17|df=US}}, Ride On extRa serves a new bus stop at Templeton Place in Rockville, MD, increasing the number of bus stops to 13.
Two new bus routes, "Lime", and "Pink" entered service on September 8, 2024. The buses used on the RideOn extRa routes are the 2017 Gillig Advantage BRT diesel buses (44056D-44072D) and the 2019 Gillig Advantage CNG buses (44129C-44139C) that were previously wrapped in the regular RideOn scheme. RideOn will also be introducing 2024 Gillig Plus Electric Buses to RideOn extRa, as 44165E is wrapped in the RideOn extRa scheme.
= Ride On Flex =
Ride On Flex is an on-demand bus service that began serving Montgomery County on June 26, 2019, and runs in and around Rockville, Glenmont, and Wheaton using new, 11-passenger cutaway buses.{{Cite web|url=https://dccommutetimes.com/news_releases/article/mcdot-unveils-ride-on-flex-at-microtransit-public-forum|title=MCDOT Unveils Ride On Flex at Microtransit Public Forum|website=dccommutetimes.com|language=en|access-date=2019-06-06}} Passengers are able to request a bus using an app. The new service does not charge a higher fare, and accepts the same payment methods as standard Ride On buses with no onboard fare loading allowed.{{Cite web|url=https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DOT-Transit/flex/|title=Ride On Flex|website=www.montgomerycountymd.gov|access-date=2019-06-06}}
= Flash BRT =
{{Main|Flash BRT}}
Flash is a bus rapid transit network that began service on October 14, 2020.{{cite news |last1=Lazo |first1=Luz |title=The D.C. region's most ambitious try at bus rapid transit is coming to Montgomery County |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/the-dc-regions-most-ambitious-try-at-bus-rapid-transit-is-coming-to-montgomery-county/2020/10/01/845edbbc-01c3-11eb-b7ed-141dd88560ea_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=1 October 2020}}{{cite web |last1=Clabaugh |first1=Jeff |title=Montgomery Co.'s new Bus Rapid Transit system to be called 'Flash' |date=23 March 2017 |url=https://wtop.com/business-finance/2017/03/montgomery-co-s-new-bus-rapid-transit-system-to-be-called-flash/ |access-date=29 September 2019}} The first routes operate between Silver Spring and Burtonsville along U.S. Route 29. Future routes are in development throughout Montgomery County.{{cite web |last1=Lyons |first1=Jane |title=MoCo advances two bus rapid transit projects on Route 355 and Veirs Mill Road |url=https://ggwash.org/view/73360/montgomery-county-rockville-pike-two-bus-rapid-transit-projects-veirs-mill-design-for-md-355-brt |website=Greater Greater Washington |access-date=29 September 2019}}
Flash has dedicated stops with prepayment machines and operates in a mix of mixed-traffic and dedicated lanes using articulated buses equipped with Wi-Fi and USB ports.{{cite web |title=FLASH features a different kind of vehicle. It's like a train on rubber tires with features that keep you plugged in and moving. |url=https://www.ridetheflash.com/take-a-look/ |access-date=29 September 2019}} The buses used for this service are 2019 Novabus LFSA buses (46000D-46015D) and 2008 Gillig Advantage Diesel buses (5737,5744,5746).
Fares
{{As of|2022|8|1|df=US}}, Ride On's current one-way fare is $1.00 regardless of payment method. Children, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities can ride for free. Fares were suspended from March 2020 to July 2022 in response to COVID-19. Prior to that, Ride On's one-way fare was $2.00 regardless of payment method. Senior citizens and persons with disabilities could ride free on weekdays between 9:30 AM and 3:00 PM, and on Saturdays between 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM; at all other times, a reduced fare of $1.00 was charged. {{As of|2019|7|1|df=US}}, children ages 5 and up can ride Ride On, as well as Metrobus routes originating in Montgomery County, for free until they graduate from high school by using a Youth Cruiser SmarTrip card.{{cite web |url=https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dot-transit/kidsridefree/index.html|title=Kids Ride Free}} Ride On offers a $0.50 discount for bus fares that transfer from the Washington Metro.
As with all other transit providers in the Washington Metropolitan Area, {{as of|2009|1|4|lc=on|df=US}}, Ride On stopped the issue or acceptance of paper transfers. Riders wanting transfer credit must use a SmarTrip card to get the rail-to-bus or bus-to-rail discount or to transfer free from bus to bus.
Fleet
Ride On operates a fleet consisting of Diesel, CNG, Diesel-electric hybrid, and Battery electric buses produced by Gillig Corporation, Nova Bus, Proterra, and Starcraft.
= Current fleet =
| class="wikitable"
! Image ! style="width:150px;" |Builder and ! style="width:50px;" |Model year ! style="width:50px;" |Length ! style="width:70px;" |Numbers ! Vehicles ! style="width:100px;" |Fuel type ! Notes |
| align="center" | 150px 150px | rowspan="7" align="center" | Gillig | align="center" | 2008 | rowspan="2" align="center" | 40 feet (12 meters) | align="center" | 5726-5746 | align="center" | 3 | rowspan="2" align="center" | Diesel |
|
| 150px
| align="center" | 2009, 2011, 2013 | align="center" | 5747-5770 | align="center" | 19 |
|
| 150px
| align="center" | 2009, 2011, 2012 | align="center" | 40 feet (12 meters) | align="center" | 5314-5367 | align="center" | 52 | align="center" | Diesel-electric hybrid |
|
| 150px
| align="center" | 2009, 2013, 2014, 2016 | align="center" | 29 feet (8.8 meters) | align="center" | 5007–5091, 42000D | align="center" | 64 | align="center" | Diesel |
|
| 150x150px
| align="center" | 2014 | align="center" | 40 feet (12 meters) | align="center" | 5837-5855 | align="center" | 18 | align="center" |Compressed natural gas (CNG) |
|
| 150px
| rowspan="2" align="center" | 2016 | align="center" | 40 feet (12 meters) | align="center" | 44000D-44039D | align="center" | 40 | align="center" |Diesel |
|
| 150px
| align="center" | 40 feet (12 meters) | align="center" | 44040C-44055C | align="center" | 16 | align="center" |Compressed natural gas (CNG) | |
| align="center" | File:Ride On Bus -60.jpg
|Starcraft Bus | align="center" | 2016 | align="center" | 30 feet (9.1 meters) | align="center" | 59–61 | align="center" | 2 | align="center" | Gasoline |
|
| align="center" | 150px
| align="center" | Gillig | rowspan="2" align="center" |2017 | rowspan="3" align="center" | 40 feet (12 meters) | align="center" | 44056D-44072D | align="center" | 17 | rowspan="2" align="center" | Diesel |
|
| align="center" | 150px
| rowspan="2" align="center" | Gillig | align="center" | 44073D-44080D | align="center" | 8 | align="center" | |
| align="center" | 150px
|2017/2018 | align="center" | 44081C-44118C | align="center" | 37 | align="center" | Compressed natural gas (CNG) | align="center" |
|
| align="center" | 150px
| align="center" | Starcraft | rowspan="5" align="center" | 2019 | align="center" | {{convert|30|ft|m|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} | align="center" | 41000D-41006D | align="center" | 7 | rowspan="1" align="center" | Diesel | align="center" |
|
| align="center" | 150px
| rowspan="2" align="center" | Gillig | rowspan="2" align="center" | {{convert|40|ft|m|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} | align="center" | 44119C-44141C | align="center" | 22 | align="center" | Compressed natural gas (CNG) | align="center" |
|
| align="center" | 150px
| align="center" | 44142D-44144D | align="center" | 3 | rowspan="2" align="center" | Diesel | align="center" | |
| align="center" | 150px
| align="center" | Nova Bus | align="center" | {{convert|62|ft|m|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} | align="center" | 46000D-46015D | align="center" | 16 | align="center" |
|
| align="center" |150px
| align="center" |Proterra | align="center" | {{convert|35|ft|m|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} | align="center" | 43000E–43003E | align="center" |4 | align="center" |Battery electric{{cite web |last1=Schere |first1=Dan |title=Montgomery County rolls out first four electric Ride On Buses |url=https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/transportation/montgomery-county-rolls-out-first-four-electric-ride-on-buses/ |website=Bethesda Magazine |access-date=3 September 2020 |date=3 September 2020}} | align="center" |
|
| align="center" | 150px
| rowspan="2" align="center" | Gillig | rowspan="2" align="center" | 2020 | align="center" | {{convert|40|ft|m|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} | align="center" | 44145D-44153D | align="center" | 9 | rowspan="2" align="center" | Diesel | align="center" | |
| align="center" | 150px
| align="center" | 29 feet (8.8 meters) | align="center" | 42001D-42039D | align="center" | 39 | |
| align="center" | 150px
| rowspan="2" align="center" | Gillig | align="center" | 2022 | rowspan="2" align="center" | {{convert|40|ft|m|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} | align="center" | 44154E-44163E | align="center" | 10 | rowspan="2" align="center" | Battery electric | |
| align="center" |
| align="center" | 2024 | align="center" | 44164E-44175E | align="center" | 12 |
|
| align="center" |
| align="center" | | align="center" |2025 | align="center" | | align="center" |44176E-44199E | align="center" |1 | align="center" | |44181E entered service on May 17, 2025 |
= Retired fleet =
| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 95%;" | |
| Model year
! Builder and model name ! width="70" | Numbers ! Year ! Picture ! Notes |
|---|
| 1979–1981
| Transportation Manufacturing Corporation | 5101-5256 (156 buses) | 1996–1998 | | |
| 1984
| rowspan=2| Bus Industries | 5257-5297 (41 buses) | 2001–2002 | |The first buses in the second-generation blue-and-white paint scheme |
| 1990–1992
| 5500-5545 (46 buses) | 2010 | | |
| 1988–1989
| Gillig | 5300-5356 (57 buses) | 2004 | |
|
| 1993
| 5700-5703 (4 buses) | 2008 | |
|
| 1994–1997
| rowspan=2|Gillig | 5360-5409 (50 buses) | 2013 | 100px | |
| 1999
| 5410-5423 (14 buses) | 2015 |The last Gillig Phantom buses for Ride On |
| 1993
| Bus Industries | 5546-5547 (2 buses) | 2009 | | |
| 1995
| Orion Bus Industries | 5801-5802 (2 buses) | 2005 | |
|
| rowspan=2| 1996
| Orion Bus Industries | 5997-5999 (3 buses) | 2009 | |
|
| rowspan=2| Orion Bus Industries Orion V (05.503) | 5550-5566 (17 buses) | 2011 | |
|
| 1998
| 5572-5579 (8 buses) | 2012 | |
|
| 1999
| Orion Bus Industries | 5705-5725 (21 buses) | 2014–2016 | 100px |
|
| 1999–2000
| Orion Bus Industries | 5803-5821 (19 buses) | 2013–2014 | 100px | |
| 1999
| Orion Bus Industries | 5100-5129 (30 buses) | 2014 | 100px |
|
| 2001–2002
| Orion Bus Industries | 5580-5623 (44 buses) | 2016–2017 | 100px |5589 retired on May 30, 2018 |
| 2003
| rowspan=3| DaimlerChrysler | 5900-5917 (18 buses) | 2017 | File:Ride On Orion VII CNG.JPG | |
| 2004
| 5918-5932 (15 buses) | 2017–2019 | 100px | |
| rowspan=2 | 2005
| 5933-5957 (25 buses) | 2019 | 100px | |
| New Flyer Industries C40LF | 5822–5836 (15 buses) | rowspan=2 | 2020 |
|
| 2006–2007
| rowspan="2" | Gillig | 5300–5313 (14 buses) | 100px | |
| 2008
| 5001-5006 (6 buses) | 2020–2021 | 100px | 5001 is a training vehicle. | |
| 2001–2002
| rowspan="1" | ElDorado National | rowspan=1| 5101-5181 (81 buses) | 2009 | |
| 2004
| rowspan=1|IC Corp | 5232–5234, 5238–5241, 5243-5246 (11 buses) | 2013 | | |
| 2001
| Ford/StarTrans Bus | 5201-5212 (12 buses) | 2007 | | |
| 2007
| Champion | 5182–5231, 5285-5296 (62 buses) | 2012 | 100px |
|
Divisions
The bus fleet, owned and operated by Ride On, is distributed among three bus depots that are Nicholson, Silver Spring and Gaithersburg.
| class=wikitable
! Bus depot ! Address ! Capacity ! Routes ! Buses |
| rowspan=1 | Silver Spring
| rowspan=1 | 8710 Brookville Road | rowspan=1 | 147 | rowspan=1 | 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 34, 36, 39, 41, 47, and 51 | rowspan=1 |
|
|---|
| rowspan=1 | Gaithersburg
| rowspan=1 | 16700 Crabbs Branch Way | rowspan=1 | 155 | rowspan=1 | 43, 46, 48, 49, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 70, 71, 73, 74, 75, 76, 78, 79, 90, 100, 101, FLASH Blue, FLASH Orange, LIME, PINK | rowspan=1 |
|
| rowspan=1 | Nicholson
| rowspan=1 | 4700 Nicholson Court | rowspan=1 | 68 | rowspan=1 | Weekdays: 6, 7, 23, 29, 31, 32, 33, 37, 38, 42, 44, 45, 52, 53, 81, 83, 96, 97,98, RideOn Flex | rowspan=1 |
|
Routes
Ride On offers 81 routes throughout Montgomery County. All routes run through peak rush hour periods between 6 AM and 9 AM and 3 PM to 7 PM on weekdays. Many routes offer services for off-peak hours and weekends as well.{{cite web|url=http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dot-transit/routesandschedules/rideonroutes.html|title=MCDOT RIDE ON ROUTES AND SCHEDULES|website=www.montgomerycountymd.gov}}
| class="wikitable sortable" border="1" | |||||
| scope="col" | Route
! scope="col" | Name ! scope="col" | Terminus (Western/Southern) ! scope="col" | Terminus (Eastern/Northern) ! scope="col" | Service ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Silver Spring – Friendship Heights | Friendship Heights station | Silver Spring station | * Certain trips operate via Leland St
| |
| 2 | Silver Spring – Lyttonsville | Silver Spring station | Brookville (Ride On Operations Center) | * Certain rush hour trips serve Fort Detrick (AM trips towards Lyttonsville, PM trips towards Silver Spring) | |
| 4 | Silver Spring – Kensington — Wheaton | Wheaton station | Silver Spring station | Weekday peak hour service only | *All Route 4 service was extended to Wheaton station on May 8, 2022.{{cite web |title=Montgomery County Will Increase Ride On Bus Service Starting Sunday, May 8; Direct Service From Kensington to Wheaton Will be Added |url=https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=40478&Dept=50 |website=www2.montgomerycountymd.gov |access-date=9 May 2022}} |
| 5 | Silver Spring – Twinbrook | Twinbrook station | Silver Spring station | Certain trips serve Victory Forest Apartments | |
| 6 | Parkside Condominium – Westfield Montgomery Mall | Westfield Montgomery Mall Transit Center | Parkside Condominium | Weekday service only | |
| 7 | Wheaton – Forest Glen | Forest Glen station | Wheaton station | Weekday peak hour service only (AM from Wheaton, PM from Forest Glen) | |
| 8 | Silver Spring – Wheaton | Silver Spring station | Wheaton station | via Forest Glen Rd & Holy Cross Hospital | |
| 9 | Silver Spring – Wheaton | Silver Spring station | Wheaton station | ||
| 10 | Hillandale – Twinbrook | Twinbrook station | New Hampshire Ave & Powder Mill Rd | * Replaced WMATA Metrobus Route C6 in 1998.
| |
| 11 | Silver Spring – Friendship Heights | Friendship Heights station | Silver Spring station | Weekday peak hour service only (AM from Silver Spring, PM from Friendship Heights) | Service started in 1997 |
| 12 | Silver Spring – Takoma | Silver Spring station | Takoma station | via Carroll Ave | |
| 13 | Silver Spring – Takoma | Silver Spring station | Takoma station | Weekday peak hour service only | via Sligo Creek Pkwy |
| 14 | Silver Spring – Takoma | Silver Spring station | Takoma station | Monday-Saturday service only | via Colesville Rd |
| 15 | Silver Spring – Langley Park | Silver Spring station | Takoma Langley Transit Center | Second-highest ridership in system, avg. 4,500 per day | |
| 16 | Silver Spring – Takoma | Silver Spring station | Takoma station | via New Hampshire Ave | |
| 17 | Silver Spring – Langley Park | Silver Spring station | Takoma Langley Transit Center | via Montgomery College Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus | |
| 18 | Silver Spring – Langley Park | Silver Spring station | Takoma Langley Transit Center | Sunday service between Langley Park and Takoma station only | via Takoma station and Montgomery College Takoma Park/Silver Spring |
| 19 | Silver Spring – Northwood | Silver Spring station | Forest Glen Rd & Burnett Ave | Weekday peak hour service only (AM from Forest Glen Rd, PM from Silver Spring) | |
| 20 | Silver Spring – Hillandale | Silver Spring station | New Hampshire Ave & Powder Mill Rd | Operates via Piney Branch Rd & New Hampshire Ave | |
| 21 | Silver Spring – Briggs Chaney | Silver Spring station | Briggs Chaney Park & Ride | Weekday peak hour service only (AM from Briggs Chaney, PM from Silver Spring) | Service started on June 25, 2007.{{cite web|url=http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov:80/tsvtmpl.asp?url=/content/dpwt/transit/current_events.asp |title=Dump the Pump June 21, 2007 Ride Transit|author=www.montgomerycountymd.gov|date=June 21, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070804130629/http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov:80/tsvtmpl.asp?url=/content/dpwt/transit/current_events.asp|access-date=April 11, 2019|archive-date=2007-08-04}} |
| 22 | Silver Spring – Hillandale | Silver Spring station | Hillandale Center (Powder Mill Rd) | Weekday peak hour service only | Operates via Columbia Pike & Colesville Rd |
| 23 | Friendship Heights – Sibley Hospital | Sibley Hospital | Friendship Heights station | Monday-Saturday service only | |
| 24 | Hillandale – Takoma | Takoma station | Powder Mill Rd & New Hampshire Ave | Weekday peak hour service only (AM from Hillandale, PM from Takoma) | |
| 25 | Takoma – Langley Park | Takoma station | Takoma Langley Transit Center | Weekday peak hour service | via Maple Ave |
| 26 | Montgomery Mall – Glenmont | Montgomery Mall | Glenmont Station | ||
| 27 | Hillandale - Adventist Healthcare White Oak Medical Center - Tech Road Park & Ride | Hillandale Center (Powder Mill Rd & New Hampshire Ave) | Tech Rd Park & Ride | * via Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center
| |
| 28 | VANGO Free Circulator – Silver Spring
| colspan=2 | Silver Spring station | Monday-Saturday service only | Free service, VanGO Shuttle Loop around Downtown Silver Spring. | ||
| 29 | Bethesda – Glen Echo/Friendship Heights | Friendship Heights station | Bethesda station | Weekend service was extended from Glen Echo to Bethesda on October 10, 2021 | |
| 30 | Bethesda – Medical Center | Bethesda station | Medical Center | Weekday service only | |
| 31 | Wheaton – Glenmont | Wheaton station | Glenmont station | Weekday peak hour service only | via Poplar Run |
| 32 | Bethesda – Naval Ship R&D Center | Naval Ship Research & Development Center | Bethesda station | Weekday peak hour service only | via Cabin John |
| 33 | Glenmont – Medical Center | Medical Center station | Glenmont station | Weekday peak hour service only | |
| 34 | Aspen Hill – Friendship Heights | Friendship Heights station | Aspen Hill (weekday rush only) Wheaton station | Weekday peak hour service is extended to Aspen Hill (AM service to Friendship Heights, PM service to Aspen Hill) | *Originally went from Aspen Hill to Medical Center until extended to Friendship Heights Station on May 4, 2008, replacing original Ride On Route 42.
|
| 36 | Bethesda Loop | colspan=2 |Bethesda station | Weekday service only | * via Bradley Blvd
| |
| 37 | Potomac – Wheaton | Potomac Community Center | Wheaton Station | Weekday peak hour service only | Serves Grosvenor-Strathmore station |
| 38 | Wheaton – North Bethesda (White Flint) | North Bethesda station | Wheaton station | ||
| 39 | Glenmont – Briggs Chaney | Glenmont station | Briggs Chaney Park & Ride | Weekday peak hour service only | |
| 41 | Aspen Hill – Glenmont | Glenmont station | Grand Pre Rd & Bel Pre Rd (Aspen Hill) | * Route will be extended from Glenmont station to Wheaton station beginning June 29, 2025 | |
| 42 | North Bethesda (White Flint) – Montgomery Mall | Montgomery Mall Transit Center | Monday-Saturday service only | * Created on January 13, 2013, to replace the 38 portion between Montgomery Mall and White Flint.{{cite web |url=http://www6.montgomerycountymd.gov/tsvtmpl.asp?url=/content/DOT/transit/current_events.asp |title=MCDOT Current Events|date=January 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130129140408/http://www6.montgomerycountymd.gov/tsvtmpl.asp?url=/content/DOT/transit/current_events.asp|access-date=April 11, 2019|archive-date=2013-01-29}} | |
| 43 | Shady Grove – Traville TC | Traville Transit Center | Shady Grove station | * via Shady Grove Rd and Medical Center Dr
| |
| 44 | Twinbrook – Rockville | Twinbrook station | Rockville station | Weekday peak hour service only | |
| 45 | Rockville Regional TC (Fallsgrove) – Twinbrook | Twinbrook station | Rockville Regional Transit Center (Fallsgrove Center) | Monday-Saturday service only | Select trips operates via Rockville Senior Center |
| 46 | Montgomery College – Medical Center | Medical Center station | Montgomery College Rockville Campus | * via N Washington St and Rockville Pike
| |
| 47 | Rockville – Montgomery Mall – Bethesda | Bethesda station | Rockville station | * via Falls Rd, Wootton Pkwy, Seven Locks Rd, Fernwood Rd, and Old Georgetown Rd.
| |
| 48 | Wheaton – Rockville | Wheaton station | Rockville station | * via Norbeck road, Rock Creek Village, Bauer Dr, Parkland Dr, and MD 586 (Veirs Mill Road) | |
| 49 | Rockville – Glenmont | Rockville station | Glenmont station | * via Norbeck Rd, Bel Pre Road, and Layhill Road
| |
| 51 | Glenmont – ICC (Georgia Ave at MD 200) | Glenmont station | ICC Park & Ride | Weekday peak hour service only | * Service started in late 1998
|
| 52 | Rockville – Medstar Montgomery Medical Center (Olney) - Good Counsel High School | Rockville station | MedStar Montgomery Medical Center | Weekday peak hour service only | |
| 53 | Shady Grove – Glenmont | Shady Grove station | Glenmont station | Weekday peak hour service only | * Trips travels as a non-stop express along Georgia Ave. between Norbeck Rd. and Glenmont station in the peak direction
|
| 54 | Rockville – Lakeforest | Rockville station | Lakeforest Transit Center | *via Muddy Branch Rd, Research Blvd, and West Montgomery Ave
| |
| 55 | Rockville – Germantown TC | Rockville station | Germantown Transit Center | * via Frederick Rd
| |
| 56 | Rockville – Lakeforest | Rockville station | Lakeforest Transit Center | *via Falls Rd, Wootton Pkwy, Darnestown Rd, and Quince Orchard Rd
| |
| 57 | Shady Grove – Lakeforest | Shady Grove station | Lakeforest Transit Center | * via Washington Grove Rd, Muncaster Mill Rd, and Redland Rd
| |
| 58 | Shady Grove – Lakeforest | Shady Grove station | Lakeforest Transit Center | * via Snouffer School Road and East Village
| |
| 59 | Rockville – Montgomery Village | Rockville station | Montgomery Village Center (Clubhouse Rd) | * via Frederick Rd, Deer Park Rd, Gude Dr, Crabbs Branch Way, and Stonestreet Ave
| |
| 60 | Shady Grove – Montgomery Village | Shady Grove station | Montgomery Village Center (Stedwick Rd) | Weekday peak hour service only (AM from Montgomery Village, PM from Shady Grove) | via Shady Grove Rd, Midcounty Hwy, Washington Grove Ln, Flower Hill Way, and Centerway Rd. |
| 61 | Shady Grove – Germantown TC | Shady Grove station | Germantown Transit Center | * via Germantown Rd, Clopper Rd, Watkins Mill Rd, Frederick Rd, and Girard St
| |
| 63 | Rockville – Shady Grove | Rockville Station | Shady Grove station | Weekday service only | * via Redland Blvd, Piccard Drive, Research Blvd, and W Montgomery Ave.
|
| 64 | Shady Grove – Montgomery Village | Shady Grove station | Montgomery Village Center (Clubhouse Rd) | via Centerway Rd and Emory Grove Rd | |
| 65 | Shady Grove – Montgomery Village | Shady Grove station | Montgomery Village Center (Stedwick Rd) | *Weekday peak hour service only (AM from Montgomery Village, PM from Shady Grove)
AM from Montgomery Village, PM from Shady Grove | |
| 66 | Shady Grove – Traville TC | Traville Transit Center | Shady Grove station | Weekday peak hour service only (AM from Shady Grove, PM from Traville) | via Shady Grove Adventist Hospital |
| 67 | Shady Grove – Traville TC | Traville Transit Center | Shady Grove station | Weekday peak hour service only (AM from Traville, PM from Shady Grove) | via Frederick Ave and Dufief Mill Rd |
| 70 | Germantown – Bethesda (Express) | Bethesda station | Milestone P&R | * Weekday peak hour service only | * via I-270
|
| 71 | Shady Grove – Kingsview | Shady Grove station | Kingsview P&R | Weekday peak hour service only (AM from Kingsview, PM from Shady Grove) | via I-370, I-270, Clopper Rd, Mateny Rd, Dawson Farm Rd, and Steeple Rd |
| 73 | Shady Grove – Clarksburg (Cabin Branch) | Shady Grove station | Cabin Branch (Clarksburg) | Weekday peak hour service only | *via I-370, I-270, Frederick Rd, Clarksburg Rd, and W Old Baltimore Rd
|
| 74 | Shady Grove – Germantown TC | Shady Grove station | Germantown Transit Center | Monday-Saturday service only | *via I-370 and Great Seneca Highway
|
| 75 | Clarksburg MCCF – Germantown TC - Germantown MARC | Germantown Transit Center | Montgomery County Correctional Facility | * via Frederick Road and Snowden Farm Pkwy
| |
| 76 | Shady Grove – Poolesville | Poolesville (W Willard Rd & Wooton Ave) | Shady Grove station | Monday-Saturday service only | * via I-370, Muddy Branch Rd, Great Seneca Hwy, and Darnestown Rd
|
| 78 | Shady Grove – Kingsview | Shady Grove station | Kingsview P&R | Monday-Saturday service only | *via I-370, I-270, Clopper Rd, Mateny Rd, and Richter Farm Rd
|
| 79 | Shady Grove – Clarksburg | Shady Grove station | Clarksburg Gateway Center | Weekday peak hour service only (AM from Clarksburg, PM from Shady Grove) | * via I-370, I-270, Middlebrook Rd, and Ridge Rd.
|
| 81 | Rockville – North Bethesda (White Flint) | North Bethesda station | Rockville station | Weekday peak hour service only | *via Tower Oaks Blvd |
| 83 | Holy Cross Germantown – Germantown TC - Germantown MARC | Germantown Transit Center | Holy Cross Hospital Germantown | Monday-Saturday service only | * via Century Blvd, Waters Landing Dr, Father Hurley Blvd, Ridge Rd, and Seneca Meadows Pkwy
|
| 90 | Shady Grove – Damascus - Milestone | Shady Grove station | Woodfield (Woodfield Road) (peak) Milestone P&R (Damascus) (off-peak) | Weekday Service only | * via Shady Grove Road and Woodfield Road
|
| 96 | Grosvenor – Rock Spring – Montgomery Mall | Montgomery Mall Transit Center | Grosvenor-Strathmore station | Weekday Service only | *via Tuckerman Ln, Old Georgetown Rd, Rockledge Dr, and Fernwood Rd
|
| 97 | Germantown TC – Gunners Lake | colspan=2 | Germantown Transit Center | A circular loop route (AM: Clockwise loop, PM: Counterclockwise loop) | * via Middlebrook Rd, Father Hurley Blvd, Wisteria Dr, and Waring Station Rd
| |
| 98 | Germantown TC – Kingsview | Kingsview P&R | Germantown Transit Center | Monday-Saturday service only | Serves Germantown Community Center during weekday off-peak and Maryland SoccerPlex on Saturdays
|
| 100 | Shady Grove – Germantown TC (Express) | Shady Grove station | Germantown Transit Center | Express via I-370 and I-270 | |
| 301 | Rockville – Tobytown | Tobytown Drive | Rockville station | * Started service on October 2, 2016.
|
= Ride On extRa routes =
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Route !Name !Terminus !Terminus !Service !Notes |
| 101
|Lakeforest – Medical Center |Lakeforest Transit Center |Weekday peak hour service only |
|
| Pink
|Great Seneca Transit Network – Pink |Traville Transit Center |5:00 AM – 7:30 PM weekdays |
|
| Lime
|Great Seneca Transit Network – Lime |Traville Transit Center |5:00 AM - 10 PM weekdays |
|
= Flash BRT routes =
| class="wikitable sortable" border="1"
|+ Flash BRT routes | ||||
| scope="col" | Name
! scope="col" | Terminus (Western/Southern) ! scope="col" | Terminus (Eastern/Northern) ! scope="col" | Service ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flash Blue | Silver Spring Station | Burtonsville Park & Ride | Weekday peak hour service only | *Bypasses White Oak |
| Flash Orange | Silver Spring station | Briggs Chaney Park & Ride | *via White Oak
|
= Metrobus routes =
Additionally, Ride On operates two weekend routes that are served by WMATA Metrobus on weekdays.{{Cite web |url=https://www.wmata.com/schedules/timetables/upload/L8_180916.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2019-04-16 |archive-date=2019-04-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416124323/https://www.wmata.com/schedules/timetables/upload/L8_180916.pdf |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.wmata.com/schedules/timetables/upload/T2_180916.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2019-04-16 |archive-date=2019-04-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416124321/https://www.wmata.com/schedules/timetables/upload/T2_180916.pdf |url-status=dead }}
| class="wikitable sortable" border="1"
|+ Metrobus Routes | ||||
| scope="col" | Route
! scope="col" | Name ! scope="col" | Terminus (Western/Southern) ! scope="col" | Terminus (Eastern/Northern) ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L8 | Aspen Hill – Friendship Heights | Friendship Heights station | Grand Pre Road & Bel Pre Road (Aspen Hill) | * Will be discontinued on June 29, 2025 and replaced with Metrobus route M22.
| |
| T2 | Rockville – Friendship Heights | Friendship Heights station | Rockville station | * via Potomac
|
Former routes
These routes have been served by Ride On at one point, but have since been discontinued due to either low ridership, duplication of another route, simplification to other routes, or combined into another route. However, some routes would be reincarnated into new routes for Ride On.
| class="wikitable sortable" border="1"
|+ Former Ride On routes | ||||
| scope="col" | Route
! scope="col" | Name ! scope="col" | Terminus (Western/Southern) ! scope="col" | Terminus (Eastern/Northern) ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2A | Silver Spring – Lyttonsville | colspan=2 | Silver Spring Station | Temporary replacement for Route 2 during construction of the Lyttonsville Place bridge in 2018. Ran in a clockwise loop from Silver Spring to Lyttonsville Road & Claridge House, and back. Discontinued on January 11, 2019, after construction was completed.{{cite web |url=https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DOT-Transit/routesandschedules/allroutes/route002A_2B.html
|title=Ride On Route 2A / Route 2B |access-date = May 29, 2019}} | |
| 2B | Silver Spring – Lyttonsville | Silver Spring Station | Brookville (Ride On Operations Center) | Temporary replacement for Route 2 during construction of the Lyttonsville Place bridge in 2018. Ran from Silver Spring to the Ride On Operations Center via 16th Street, 2nd Ave and Brookville Road. Discontinued on January 11, 2019, after construction was completed. |
| 3 | Silver Spring – Takoma | Silver Spring Station | Takoma Station | AM from Takoma Station, PM from Silver Spring Station. Discontinued on September 17, 2017, due to low ridership.{{cite web |url=https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DOT-Transit/Resources/Files/Schedule%20Change%209-17-17.pdf |title=Schecule Change:Layout 1 |access-date = April 11, 2019}} |
| 10 (first use) | Silver Spring – Northwood | Silver Spring Station | Northwood | Discontinued on June 28, 1992. Replaced by realigned route 8 and extended route 19. |
| 11 (first use) | Silver Spring – Takoma | Silver Spring Station | Takoma Station | Discontinued in the early 1980s; replaced by extended route 3. |
| 21 (first use) | Silver Spring – Parkside Plaza | Silver Spring Station | Parkside Plaza | |
| 21 (second use) | Silver Spring – Lyttonsville | Brookville (Ride On Operations Center) | Silver Spring Station | |
| 21 (third use) | Burtonsville Shuttle | Briggs Chaney Park & Ride | Burtonsville Park & Ride | Northbound operated on Columbia Pike via Greencastle Park & Ride. Southbound operated on Old Columbia Pike. Only ran midday on weekdays. Discontinued on January 4, 2002.{{cite web |url=http://www.dpwt.com:80/TransSvcDiv/rideonroutes.htm |title=RIDE ON Route Map-Information (April 4, 2002) |date=April 4, 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020404054059/http://www.dpwt.com:80/TransSvcDiv/rideonroutes.htm |access-date=April 17, 2019|archive-date=2002-04-04 }} |
| 22 (first use) | Silver Spring – Paddington Square | Paddington Square | Silver Spring Station | |
| 26 (first use) | Grosvenor – Wheaton | Grosvenor-Strathmore station | Wheaton Station | Operated via Plyers Mill Road and Strathmore/Knowles Avenues. Discontinued on June 28, 1992; replaced by extended route 7. |
| 27 (first use) | Friendship Heights – Medical Center | Friendship Heights Station | Medical Center Station | Discontinued on September 7, 2003, due to low ridership. Alternative service available on extended Route 33 and realigned Route 36.{{cite web |url=http://montgomerycountymd.gov:80/content/dpwt/transit/svchange.asp |title=Ride On Service Changes Effective Sunday, September 7, 2003 |date=September 7, 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031014144033/http://montgomerycountymd.gov:80/content/dpwt/transit/svchange.asp |access-date=April 18, 2019|archive-date=2003-10-14 }} |
| 31 (first use) | Glen Echo – Bethesda | Glen Echo | Bethesda Station | Replaced by Route 29 in early 1996. |
| 35 | Wheaton – Montgomery Mall | Montgomery Mall Transit Center | Wheaton Station | Discontinued on September 1, 2002; replaced by extended route 47 and realigned Route 34.{{cite web|url=http://www.dpwt.com:80/TransSvcDiv/rideonroutes.htm|title=RIDE ON Route Map-Information (June 2, 2002) |date=June 2, 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020602043230/http://www.dpwt.com:80/TransSvcDiv/rideonroutes.htm |access-date=April 18, 2019|archive-date=2002-06-02 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.dpwt.com:80/TransSvcDiv/rideonroutes.htm|title=RIDE ON Route Map-Information (October 3, 2002) |date=October 3, 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021003074851/http://www.dpwt.com:80/TransSvcDiv/rideonroutes.htm |access-date=April 18, 2019|archive-date=2002-10-03 }} |
| 38 (first use) | Wheaton - Montgomery Mall | Montgomery Mall Transit Center | Wheaton Station | Service was truncated to serve only between Wheaton and North Bethesda (White Flint) in January 2013. The section between North Bethesda (White Flint) and Montgomery Mall was replaced by route 42. |
| 40 (First Use) | Wheaton Plaza Shuttle
| colspan=2 | Wheaton Station | Operated as a midday and weekend shuttle between Wheaton Station and Westfield Wheaton. Discontinued on July 25, 1998; replaced by route 9. | ||
| 40 (Second Use) | White Flint – Glenmont | North Bethesda Station | Glenmont Station | Discontinued in early 2001; replaced by extended WMATA Metrobus route C8.{{cite web |url=http://www.dpwt.com:80/TransSvcDiv/rideonroutes.htm |title=RIDE ON Route Map-Information (April 13, 2001) |date=April 13, 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010413231048/http://www.dpwt.com:80/TransSvcDiv/rideonroutes.htm |access-date=April 17, 2019|archive-date=2001-04-13 }}{{cite web |url=http://wmata.com/metrobus/servicechange_011301_md.htm |title=Metrobus service changes effective January 13, 2001 Maryland |date=February 10, 2001 |access-date=August 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010210013516/http://wmata.com/metrobus/servicechange_011301_md.htm |archive-date=February 10, 2001 |url-status=dead }} |
| 41 (first use) | Shady Grove Shopper Shuttle | Rockshire Shopping Center | Gaithersburg (Ride On Operations Center) | Operated as a lunch-hour shuttle. |
| 41 (second use) | Wheaton – Aspen Hill | Wheaton Station | Grand Pre Road & Bel Pre Road (Aspen Hill) | Originally replaced Metrobus Route Q3 in 1996. Discontinued on July 25, 1998; replaced by extended route 34. |
| 42 (first use) | White Flint – Rockville | North Bethesda station | Rockville Station | Via Old Farm and Tilden Woods |
| 42 (second use) | Friendship Heights – Medical Center | Friendship Heights Station | Medical Center Station | Combined with Route 34 on May 4, 2008.{{cite web |url=http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov:80/tsvtmpl.asp?url=/content/DOT/transit/routesandschedules/rideonroutes.asp |title=Ride On Routes and Schedule (April 5, 2009) |date=April 5, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090409024840/http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov:80/tsvtmpl.asp?url=/content/DOT/transit/routesandschedules/rideonroutes.asp |access-date=April 17, 2019|archive-date=2009-04-09 }} |
| 46 (first use) | Twinbrook – Layhill | Twinbrook Station | Layhill | Via Arctic Avenue and Bel Pre Road |
| 49 (first use) | ||||
| 50 | ||||
| 51 (first use) | ||||
| 55 (first use) | Rockville - Dorsey Mill | Rockville Station | Dorsey Mill Rd & Waters Hollow Rd | |
| 61 (first use) | Shady Grove Station - Germantown | Shady Grove Station | Montgomery College Germantown Campus | |
| 62 | Shady Grove – Germantown | Shady Grove Station | Montgomery College Germantown Campus | Discontinued on May 28, 2005.{{cite web |url=http://montgomerycountymd.gov:80/content/dpwt/transit/old_schedules/default.asp |title=Ride On Routes and Schedule (June 5, 2005) |date=June 5, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050605004627/http://montgomerycountymd.gov:80/content/dpwt/transit/old_schedules/default.asp |access-date=April 18, 2019|archive-date=2005-06-05 }}{{cite web |url=http://montgomerycountymd.gov:80/content/dpwt/transit/old_schedules/default.asp |title=Ride On Routes and Schedule (August 26, 2005) |date=August 26, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050826222810/http://montgomerycountymd.gov:80/content/dpwt/transit/old_schedules/default.asp |access-date=April 18, 2019|archive-date=2005-08-26 }} |
| 63X | Shady Grove – Gaither Road | Shady Grove Station | Gaither Road & Gaither Drive | Served as a supplement to Route 63, connecting passengers from the Gaither Road industrial area to Shady Grove Metro during the midday and late night. Started service on January 6, 2019. Combined with route 63 on May 12, 2019. |
| 66 (first use) | Shady Grove – Shady Grove Hospital | Shady Grove Station | Discontinued by 1998. | |
| 67 (first use) | Shady Grove – Shady Grove Hospital | Shady Grove Station | Discontinued by 1998. | |
| 68 | Germantown MARC Shuttle | colspan=2 | Germantown MARC | Looped around the Germantown MARC Station. Discontinued on May 28, 2005. | |
| 69 | Germantown MARC Shuttle | colspan=2 | Germantown MARC | Looped around the Germantown MARC Station. Discontinued on May 28, 2005. | |
| 71 (first use) | Shady Grove - Germantown | Shady Grove Station | Germantown Transit Center | |
| 72 | Shady Grove – Germantown | Shady Grove Station | Germantown Commons | AM from Germantown Commons; PM from Shady Grove. Discontinued on May 28, 2005. |
| 73 (first use) | Shady Grove – Germantown – Goldenrod Lane | Shady Grove Station | Goldenrod Lane & Century Blvd | AM from Goldenrod Lane & Century Blvd; PM from Shady Grove. Discontinued on May 28, 2005. |
| 75 (first use) | Shady Grove - Urbana | Shady Grove Station | Urbana Park & Ride | Discontinued in 2006 |
| 77 | Shady Grove – Germantown | Shady Grove Station | Germantown Commons | AM from Germantown Commons; PM from Shady Grove. Discontinued on May 28, 2005. |
| 78 (first use) | Shady Grove - Germantown | Shady Grove Station | Germantown Transit Center | via Mateny Rd, Great Seneca Hwy, Sam Eig Hwy. Replaced by Route 74 |
| 80 | Shady Grove – King Farm Loop | Shady Grove Station | Gaither Road & Redland Road | Discontinued; last run was on May 3, 2002. |
| 82 | Clarksburg Town Center – Germantown Transit Center | Clarksburg Gateway Center | Department of Energy in Germantown | AM from Clarksburg; PM from Department of Energy. Combined with Route 79 on April 5, 2009. |
| 91 | Rockville Pike Shuttle | Rockville Town Center | Rockville Pike & Edson Lane | Operated from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Discontinued on September 3, 2001.{{cite web |url=http://www.dpwt.com:80/TransSvcDiv/rideonroutes.htm |title=RIDE ON Route Map-Information (October 5, 2001) |date=October 5, 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011005092153/http://www.dpwt.com:80/TransSvcDiv/rideonroutes.htm |access-date=April 17, 2019|archive-date=2001-10-05 }} |
| 92 | Bethesda Shuttle | colspan=2 | Bethesda Station | Became operated by the Bethesda Urban Partnership on September 3, 2006.{{cite web |url=http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov:80/tsvtmpl.asp?url=/content/dpwt/transit/routesandschedules/rideonroutes.asp |title=Ride On Routes and Schedule (November 4, 2006) |date=November 4, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061104130122/http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov:80/tsvtmpl.asp?url=/content/dpwt/transit/routesandschedules/rideonroutes.asp |access-date=April 18, 2019|archive-date=2006-11-04 }} | |
| 93 | US – HHS – Twinbrook Station | Twinbrook Station | DHHS Parklawn Shuttle (Fishers Lane) | Discontinued on September 17, 2017, due to low ridership. |
| 94 (first use) | Kingsview P&R - Germantown MARC | Germantown MARC | Kingsview Park & Ride | * free shuttle to take Park & Ride passengers to the Germantown MARC, due to insufficient parking at the station
|
| 94 (second use) | Clarksburg – Germantown MARC | Germantown MARC | Clarksburg Gateway Center | * service began in January 2013
|
| 98 (first use) | Germantown Transit Center - Seabreeze Court | colspan=2 | Germantown Transit Center | Served as a loop around Germantown. Service was realigned to extend to Kingsview Park & Ride in January 2013. | |
| 124 | Shady Grove Express
| MD 117 Park & Ride MD 124 Park & Ride | |||
| 127 | Campus Connector (Takoma – Silver Spring – Shady Grove UMS) | Takoma Station | University of Maryland | Discontinued on May 16, 2008. |
| 129 | Burtonsville – Silver Spring (limited stop) | Silver Spring Station | Burtonsville Park & Ride
|
| |
| VAX | Montgomery College Vax Shuttle | Shady Grove Station | Montgomery College Germantown Campus | *Shuttle bus for people with COVID-19 Vaccine appointments at Montgomery College Germantown.
|
Additionally, Ride On ran one weekend route that is served by WMATA Metrobus on weekdays. This has since been discontinued for the same reason as other discontinued Ride On routes.
| class="wikitable sortable" border="1"
|+ Ride On Routes | ||||
| scope="col" | Route
! scope="col" | Name ! scope="col" | Termini (Western/Southern) ! scope="col" | Termini (Eastern/Northern) ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z2 | Colesville – Silver Spring | Olney (Spartan Rd & Georgia Ave) | Silver Spring station | Saturday Service Discontinued on January 12, 2013, due to low ridership.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wmata.com/about/news/pressreleasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=5392|title = Metro News Release | WMATA}} Weekday service is still operated by Metrobus, See Colesville–Ashton Line for history. |
References
External links
{{Commons category|Ride On}}
- {{Official website|https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dot-transit/}}
- [http://www.orenstransitpage.com/otprideonpics/rideon.htm Oren's Transit Page: Ride On]
{{Transit In DC}}
{{MTA Maryland}}
{{Montgomery County, Maryland topics}}
Category:Bus transportation in Maryland