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Ride On & Metrobus Fares Change July 1
Watch for a variety of Ride On & Metrobus fare changes that take effect July 1. Click here for an easy-to-read PDF flier that outlines the new fares in both English and Spanish.
A few highlights from the new fare flier:
- Regular fare paid with SmarTrip® $1.60
- Regular cash fare or token $1.80
- SmarTrip transfer from Metrorail $1.10
- Ride On Monthly Pass $45
Several schedule updates took effect recently as well, including:
Route 48: Wheaton-Rockville
Route 49: Rockville-Glenmont
Route 57: Shady Grove-Lakeforest
Route 58: Shady Grove-Lakeforest
Route 61: Shady Grove-Germantown Transit Center
Route 64: Shady Grove-Montgomery Village
Route 74: Shady Grove-Germantown Transit Center
Young riders have some special cost-saving alternatives available, via Ride On's Kids Ride Free with ID, as well as with Summer Youth Cruiser and Monthly Youth Cruiser passes.
Kids Ride Free with ID: Riders 18 years and younger can ride any Ride On bus - and most Metrobus routes (*see applicable routes below) - within Montgomery County, without paying a fare from 2:00pm-7:00pm Monday-Friday year-round. The student must show the bus operator either a valid school ID or the student pass issued by Ride On. Elementary school students do not need an ID.
Youth riding Ride On Route 70 Express buses or Metrobus J7 and J9 will need to pay an additional charge of $2.15 in cash.
(*C2, C4, C8, D5, F4, F6, J1, J2, J3, J4, J5, J7, J9, K6, L8, Q1, Q2, Q4, Q5, Q6, T2, Y5, Y7, Y8, Y9, Z2, Z6, Z8, Z9, Z11, Z13, Z29)
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Metro's "Rush+" Initiative Enhances Service
Metro began its Rush+ (aka Rush-Plus) service last month to improve service for nearly 110,000 customers on the Green, Yellow, Blue and Orange lines.
While not directly affected, Red Line riders whose commutes include connector trips via the other lines should see shorter peak period travel times, since Metro is running six additional trains every hour of rush hour at 21 stations.
Orange Line: Three additional trains per hour in each direction between Vienna and Largo Town Center will provide 18 percent more capacity on the line (approximately 2,600 seats per hour).
Blue and Yellow Lines: Rush+ increases the share of Yellow Line trains to provide more direct and faster access to downtown via the Yellow Line bridge. A smaller number (about 16,000) weekday peak-period customers who travel on Blue Line trains via Arlington Cemetery will experience a maximum of six-minutes additional waiting time for a train.
Green and Yellow Lines: Stations from L'Enfant Plaza to Greenbelt will get 18 additional trains during rush hour periods (six additional trains each peak hour, three in each direction). And for the first time, riders will be able to travel from Greenbelt to Franconia-Springfield without transferring.
Click here for full details and a brief video about Metro's Rush+ service.
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MARC Brunswick Line Rider? Read This.
Schedule changes: Riders on MARC Train's Brunswick Line will see schedule changes take effect on July 16. Riders will be able to access the new schedule by using MARC's online trip planner. (A 'current vs. new' comparison schedule is also available as a PDF via the Frederick News-Post).
The changes grew out of feedback from Brunswick Line customers, who provided 1,300+ responses to an online survey and emails, plus attendance from more than 200 customers at three town hall meetings. MARC spent the past month reviewing comments and working with CSX to revise its initial draft schedule.
FREE shuttle: Ride the Germantown MARC shuttle (Ride On Route 94) FREE starting July 2nd. The shuttle will run Monday - Friday from 7:24am - 8:07am and from 4:20pm - 8:17pm, between the Kingsview Park & Ride Lot (Clopper Road and Kingsview Village Avenue) and the Germantown MARC Station.
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Telework Webinars: Online Resource for Employers
The Montgomery County Commuter Services Section wrapped up its recent series of webinars on the advantages of telework. The series enabled employers to get expert guidance during three sessions held April 25, May 31 and June 21, respectively.
The first session was introductory, the second one focused on implementation, and the third program discussed case studies, including presentations by a panel of selected employers.
Couldn't attend? The presentations are posted online in both PDF and PowerPoint formats for free download or viewing here.
After viewing the free presentations, employers interested in exploring telework programs for their employees are encouraged to contact Commuter Services at mcdot.CommuterServices@montgomerycountymd.gov or 240-777-8380 to take advantage of free expert consulting services, to help implement successful telework programs.
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Of Note
Walk & Ride Challenge - Coming soon: The 2012 Walk & Ride Challenge will be open to employers in the Silver Spring, Friendship Heights, Greater Shady Grove, Bethesda and North Bethesda Transportation Management Districts (TMDs). Online registration opens July 9th at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/commute, so be sure to register your team. There will be weekly prizes - including Kindles! And grand prizes for each member of the top three teams.
Pool Rewards: Commuter Connections expanded its 'Pool Rewards program recently to include vanpooling, which gives drive-alone commuters another great option. Ridesharing has long been an economical alternative for commuters. 'Pool Rewards boosts those savings by paying new poolers a direct subsidy. Find out how to get paid for commuting on the Commuter Connections website.
Recognized as a Green Business? Montgomery County's Green Business Certification Program helps businesses go beyond the basics to reduce their ecological footprint. The program emphasizes day-to-day operations and policies in seven categories. Transportation and travel is our favorite category of course - and if your business works with Commuter Services you've probably already got that one covered! If you don't, give us a call to help you save and be green. Other categories include: organizational commitment, waste reduction & recycling, environmentally responsible purchasing, energy efficiency & renewable energy, efficient runoff management & water use, and pollution prevention. Details: mcgreenbiz.org
Personalized Retail: Imagine walking into your favorite store. Maybe it's the Apple store for iTechies, Starbucks for latte lovers, or a new boutique for fashionistas. Now hold that thought - and walk into your nearest TRiPS Commuter Store. It's a personalized retail experience for your commute. Everything you could possibly need to get where you're going quicker and cheaper. And merchandise to make your commute safer and better too. Go ahead. Treat yourself. You'll find one in Friendship Heights at 17 Wisconsin Circle (between Wisconsin & Western), and in Silver Spring at 8413 Ramsey Avenue (corner of Wayne & Ramsey). Check out the stores online here.
Dial 511: Get traffic and weather information from Maryland's official travel information service by dialing 511 from any phone in the state. Or visit www.md511.org to view live cameras and get other traffic info. Perfect for your carpool or vanpool - or when you just have to drive.
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