Ride On Flex

About the Program

Category: Transportation (Best in Category)

Year: 2020

Montgomery County Ride On, local bus service, launched its first microtransit pilot program on June 26, 2019. Montgomery County partnered with a Transportation Network Company (TNC), Via, for use of its technology platform to provide first mile/last mile connections with ADA accessible on-demand buses owned and operated by MCDOT. The initial pilot program geographical areas include Wheaton, Glenmont and Rockville. These areas offer connections between households, transit hubs, commercial centers and public services. Ride On Flex, an on-demand service, allows riders traveling within a certain geographical zone to use a mobile application (“app”) to request rides from self-defined origin and destinations. Upon request, riders will be given an estimated time for pickup and drop off and directed to a nearby location for pick up, referred to as virtual stops. Fares and payment methods are consistent with the standard fixed route service. Fares can be paid on the bus using cash or simply tapping the farebox with a SmartTrip card. Free transfers are applied when travelling amongst the various transit modes.