Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and County Council President Kate Stewart Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Ride On Bus Service – MocoFeed

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, County Council President Kate Stewart, other Councilmembers and Federal and State officials celebrated the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) Ride On bus system’s 50th Anniversary today in Wheaton.

Speakers also included Maryland Senator Jeff Waldstreicher, Maryland Delegate Linda Foley, Maryland Delegate Jared Solomon, MCDOT Director Chris Conklin, Maryland Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary Joe McAndrew, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Chief Transportation Officer Leroy Jones, Ride On bus operator Ted Oliver, who has been with Ride On for 46 years and lifelong Ride On bus rider Susanne Brunheart-Wiggins.

”Ride On has helped people get where they need to go for 50 years,” said County Executive Elrich. “Ride On has evolved into one of our nation’s largest bus systems and an essential transit system for thousands of County residents, commuters and visitors who count on this service. I appreciate the operators and staff who show up every day to keep it running. I wish MCDOT and Ride On a happy 50th anniversary, and I look forward to the future as we build and integrate Bus Rapid Transit into our service offerings.”

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The event showcased wrapped, decorated buses, historical photos of Ride On buses and the artwork from a middle school art contest . The contest received 96 student submissions, with 24 students from Herbert Hoover Middle School contributing 25% of the total entries. Winners of the contest were announced during the celebration:

• 1st Place Winner: Laura Jin, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School
• 2nd Place Winner: Ava Lutgendorf, North Bethesda Middle School
• 3rd Place Winner: Jenny Gong, Rocky Hill Middle School

“Ride On provides 65,000-weekday passenger pickups, is the second largest in the region, operates seven days a week and provides over 80 routes with 5,425 bus stops,” said Conklin. “Public transportation is not just about moving people—it’s about connecting our communities and expanding opportunity. It plays a critical role in reducing disparities, supporting economic growth and ensuring that every resident, regardless of background, can access the resources they need to succeed.”

In addition to the standard Ride On bus service operating throughout the County, Ride On services also include:

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• Ride On extRa, a limited stop, high-frequency service on Route 355/Rockville Pike and the Pink and Lime routes servicing the Great Seneca area, including the Shady Grove Life Sciences Corridor.

• Ride On Flex, an on-demand transit service in designated Rockville and Glenmont/Wheaton zones.

• Flash Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service which runs along US 29/Colesville Road between Downtown Silver Spring and Briggs Chaney/Burtonsville. The County has plans to expand Flash to provide upgraded, high-frequency service to interconnect the County though a Flash Network.

High-frequency transit such as the planned Flash Bus Rapid Transit Network and Ride On extRa services were highlighted as the future of Montgomery County’s transit system.

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“For many of our residents, public transit has the power to create possibility and progress,” said Montgomery County Council President Stewart. “Ride On gives individuals the opportunity to move about the County for work, to shop and run errands, and explore all the County has to offer. Every trip on public transportation also means one less car on the road and a better environment for all. Congratulations to the first 50 years of Ride- n and cheers to continued investments in public transportation.”

The Council Transportation and Environment Committee Chair, Evan Glass, acknowledged the County’s public transportation equity impacts.

“Public transit is the great equalizer,” said Councilmember Glass. “For five decades, Ride On has enabled families to thrive by providing equal access to jobs, education and childcare. Our bus network has been a cornerstone of progress in Montgomery County and will continue helping uplift and shape our community.”

For information on MCDOT programs and services, visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot , follow @MCDOTNow on X , Bluesky , Instagram , Facebook  and subscribe  to MCDOT’s “Go Montgomery!” newsletter.

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