Montgomery County Extends Free Ride On Program

From Montgomery County:

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD - Ride On’s free fare program for seniors and persons with disabilities will be expanded to include Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. beginning September 3, 2016. Currently, those with a valid ID can ride free on weekdays during the same hours. Fares are half-price at all other times.

“I am delighted we are extending free Ride On to Saturdays for seniors and people with disabilities,” said County Executive Isiah Leggett. “This makes it even easier for people to get where they need to go.”

“The Council recognizes that our seniors and people with disabilities lead busy lives every day, not just weekdays,” said Council President Nancy Floreen. “I’m glad we were able to provide funding for this service expansion.”

“I was pleased during our budget deliberations earlier this year to lead the effort to add funding for free Saturday Ride On service for people with disabilities and seniors,” said Councilmember Roger Berliner. “Seniors are our fastest growing demographic and free Saturday service is one way to enhance their connection to the community.”

To access free or half-price fares, people age 65 and up must show either their Medicare card and photo ID or their Senior SmartTrip card. Senior SmartTrip cards are available at any Montgomery County library for $2 with valid photo ID and proof of age.

People with disabilities who are under age 65 can access free or half-price Ride On fares by using a valid Metro Disability ID Card which are available from Metro and include Veterans granted by the Department of Veterans Affairs as having a 60% or greater disability. All Ride On buses are accessible and more than 90% of County bus stops are accessible; efforts to improve the remaining bus stops are continuing.

Ride On buses connect passengers to their destinations as well as to other transit lines, especially Metrobus and Metrorail. Beginning in September, most Metrobuses in the County also will extend free trips on Saturdays to seniors and people with disabilities from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Passengers can access Metrobus free or half-price fares using the same valid id used on Ride On.

Get Ride On Schedules at www.RideOnBus.com. Or, call 3-1-1 or 240-777-0311.

Image via Pixabay.