MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. — Montgomery County's Ride On system will start collecting fares on August 1 for the first time in two years.
All services will be collecting fares including, Ride On extRa, Flex, and Flash. The fare collection was originally suspended due to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The cost was free to riders during the lockdown.
The cost before the COVID-19 pandemic was $2 per ride going one-way. Monthly passes used to be $45 for each ride, and now those passes have been reduced to $22.50.
Seniors, who are at least 65 and older, those with disabilities, and youth under 19 - older if still in high school - can ride the bus for free in the county.
County Executive Marc Elrich and County Council approved these fare changes in May.
Eligible residents must obtain specialized SmartTrip cards through the MCDOT Mobile Commuter Store, Silver Spring TRiPS Commuter Store, any County library, or the Montgomery County Division of Treasury in Rockville.
Students can also get their specialized 'Youth Cruiser' card from the school they will be attending during the school year.
Riders switching from a Metro train or bus to Ride On will be free. For passengers switching from Ride On to a Metro bus are required to pay the difference in fare, which will cost $1.
Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) encourages riders using Ride On to wear a mask but no longer required to wear them.
Masks are free and available to all riders who need them.
County's Department of General Services will continue to clean the bus interiors with hospital-grade disinfectant.
For more information on MCDOT programs and services, click here.