Mission Statement

The mission of the Division of Transit Services is to provide an effective mix of public transportation services in Montgomery County.

Budget Overview

The total approved FY22 Operating Budget for the Division of Transit Services is $154,532,665, an increase of $70,362 or 0.05 percent from the FY21 Approved Budget of $154,462,303. Personnel Costs comprise 56.06 percent of the budget for 878 full-time position(s) and 16 part-time position(s), and a total of 908.87 FTEs. Total FTEs may include seasonal or temporary positions and may also reflect workforce charged to or from other departments or funds. Operating Expenses account for the remaining 43.94 percent of the FY22 budget.

The general obligation bond Debt Service for the Mass Transit Fund is appropriated in the Debt Service Fund and is not displayed in this section. To pay for the Debt Service, a transfer of funds from the Mass Transit Fund to the Debt Service Fund of $20,997,580 is required.

In addition, this department's Capital Improvements Program (CIP) requires Current Revenue funding.

County Priority Outcomes

While this program area supports all eight of the County Result Areas, the following are emphasized:

• Easier Commutes
• A Greener County
• Thriving Youth and Families

Program Performance Measures

Performance measures for this department are included below (where applicable), with multi-program measures displayed at the front of this section and program-specific measures shown with the relevant program. The FY21 estimates reflect funding based on the FY21 approved budget. The FY22 and FY23 figures are performance targets based on the FY22 approved budget and funding for comparable service levels in FY23.

Initiatives

• Re-imagine Ride On Transit Services by implementing a route restructuring study that will examine the entire Ride On transit system's route network looking at changes to the County's population, demographics, employment centers and residential network to determine enhanced optimization of current and proposed transit services and provide recommended changes for a more equitable, efficient, effective and sustainable service delivery of transit services to meet the evolving needs of the community. A variety of route features to be examined include route structure, connectivity, route span, frequency of service, plus deploying zero emission buses to the fleet. The study's recommendation will assist Transit Services to implement key strategies to increase program performance in an equitable and sustainable manner.

  
  

  
  

• Develop and perform a study to evaluate existing reduced fare programs and policies currently in use in the County and make recommendations for program improvements to optimize public benefits. Perform a best practices analysis of similar programs being implemented across the country (and world, as applicable). Review past and present data on Seniors Ride Free, Kids Ride Free, and other subsidized fare programs to evaluate existing and anticipated usage patterns; understanding and awareness of programs; ease of participation; hours and days programs are in effect; and identify potential improvements to increase public benefits from such programs. Study will be coordinated with Reimagining Ride On effort.

• Expand the Seniors Ride Free Program to all hours of operation.

Innovations and Productivity Improvements

• Successfully launched limited stop FLASH service between the Burtonsville Park and Ride Lot and the Silver Spring Transit Center. The FLASH service runs from 5:30 am to midnight seven days a week with 7.5 minutes headways in the morning and afternoon peak periods and 15 minutes all other times. The FLASH service includes 18 unique new station platforms and a fleet of 16 60-foot articulated buses. Travel time is reduced compared to previous bus routes, through limited stops, paying for fares off board at platforms, exclusive transit use of shoulder along the northern portion of US29, and traffic signal priority that allows buses to get through some intersections more efficiently.
• Successfully introduced the County's first four zero emission buses. The four buses operate on Ride On bus routes serving Silver Spring, Takoma Park, and Langley Park. In Spring 2022, the department expects to deploy ten additional zero emission buses. The 14 zero emission buses put in service in FY21 and FY22 will be responsible for a reduction of 9,568.4 metric tons of carbon dioxide over the next 12 years.

Program Descriptions

  Transit Services

Public transit plays a vital role in maintaining the livability of Montgomery County's growing communities, easing commutes for County residents, and reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. The Transit Services program provides Ride On fixed-route bus service, the FLASH limited stop transit service and the FLEX on demand zone-based service in...

  Transit Services General Administration

The General Administration program provides executive direction and support functions for Transit Services programs that include Ride On operations and planning, human resources, information technology, budget/grant/fiscal management/procurement services, and special transportation programs to increase mobility and promote the economic growth and stability of the County. ...

  Community Mobility Services

The Community Mobility Services program provides a wide range of transportation-related services and options for County residents and commuters. The program includes components to inform people about services available, enabling them to make the best choices for their needs; programs to reduce the cost of using those options; and programs...