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Mission Statement

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

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Budget Overview

The total recommended FY26 Operating Budget for the Division of Transit Services is $211,045,285, an increase of $17,379,868 or 8.97 percent from the FY25 Approved Budget of $193,665,417. Personnel Costs comprise 59.10 percent of the budget for 899 full-time position(s) and nine part-time position(s), and a total of 922.86 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 40.90 percent of the FY26 budget.

Debt Service for general obligation bonds and other debt for the Mass Transit Fund is appropriated in the Debt Service Fund and is not displayed in this section. To pay for Debt Service in FY26, a transfer of funds from the Mass Transit Fund to the Debt Service Fund of $28,429,735 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:

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

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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 FY25 estimates reflect funding based on the FY25 approved budget. The FY26 and FY27 figures are performance targets based on the FY26 recommended budget and funding for comparable service levels in FY27.

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Initiatives

  • Prioritize transit in Montgomery County by making Ride On bus service fare free. Zero-fare bus systems offer a significant advantage to public transportation by eliminating the cost of travel for passengers. This initiative aims to encourage the use of buses, reduce traffic congestion, and lower carbon emissions by promoting more eco-friendly commuting options. By removing fares, these programs make transportation more accessible to everyone, especially those with limited financial resources, while also supporting environmental and social goals.
  • Create a more sustainable and equitable transit system for the County through the Ride On Reimagined Service and Implementation Plan. This comprehensive strategy was developed through over two years of meticulous research and planning, including a focus on the community's unique needs. The first year of the plan focuses on foundational improvements, such as upgrading infrastructure, enhancing existing routes, and introducing new services where there is the highest demand. In later years, the plan will expand service to increase accessibility and accommodate future growth.

  • Transition to a zero-emission bus fleet to achieve the County's goal of zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035, as outlined in the Climate Action Plan. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation has developed a transition plan to develop concrete strategies for emission reduction, evaluate facility needs, determine appropriate fleet composition, and engage the community. By integrating innovative technologies and planning for necessary infrastructure, the County is not only addressing current environmental challenges but also setting a standard for future transit initiatives. This proactive approach demonstrates a dedication to creating a cleaner, healthier environment for all residents while contributing to global efforts against climate change.

  • Expand Ride On service through the Great Seneca Transit Network, which will significantly enhance mobility and access to vital job sectors, particularly in healthcare, biotech, and education. The first phase of the network is operational and serves the Shady Grove corridor and the Life Sciences Center along I-370. Key features of the network include new and upgraded transit stations, dedicated bus and bike lanes, transit signal priority for efficiency, enhancements to transit centers, and improvements for pedestrians and cyclists.

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Innovations and Productivity Improvements

  • The County has added 26 battery electric buses as replacements for diesel-fueled buses in the Ride On bus fleet. An additional 86 electric buses are planned to be added to expand the fleet to 112 electric buses by the end of FY26.

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...

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  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. ...

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  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...

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Budget Trends
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Program Contacts

Contact Ken Sloate of the Division of Transit Services at 240-777-5808 or Gary Nalven of the Office of Management and Budget at 240-777-2779 for more information regarding this department's operating budget.

Related Links
Budget Summary
TitleActual
FY24
Budget
FY25
Estimate
FY25
Recommended
FY26
%Chg
Bud/Rec
MASS TRANSIT
EXPENDITURES
Salaries and Wages84780648.0086816397.00 91816842.00 94794005.009.2
Employee Benefits22839033.0025253581.00 26017466.00 28419604.0012.5
Mass Transit Personnel Costs107619681.00112069978.00 117834308.00 123213609.009.9
Operating Expenses80990192.0076326826.00 81434896.00 82680062.008.3
Capital Outlay0.00144230.00 144230.00 144230.000.0
Mass Transit Expenditures188609873.00188541034.00 199413434.00 206037901.009.3
PERSONNEL
Full-Time853.00869.00 869.00 884.001.7
Part-Time16.009.00 9.00 9.000.0
FTEs885.51896.26 896.26 910.661.6
REVENUES
Property Tax192537043.00213971756.00 213514101.00 211415487.00-1.2
Taxi Licensing Fees57115.0080000.00 32000.00 80000.000.0
Bus Advertising1681491.001720000.00 820000.00 1780000.003.5
Motor Pool Charges/Fees680181.000.00 813868.00 0.000.0
Other Charges/Fees3375675.003148906.00 3305850.00 3719383.0018.1
Parking Fees871288.00828704.00 712430.00 775000.00-6.5
Ride On Fare Revenue2791910.004820798.00 1583893.00 0.00-100.0
Other Fines/Forfeitures2625.000.00 1925.00 160000.000.0
Parking Fines1028102.00800000.00 961590.00 800000.000.0
State Aid: Call N' Ride379107.00379107.00 395666.00 391011.003.1
State Aid: Damascus Fixed Route425094.00607466.00 681401.00 681401.0012.2
State Aid: Ride On41307169.0040589000.00 40589000.00 40589000.000.0
Miscellaneous Revenues46104.000.00 -11218.00 0.000.0
Insurance Recoveries8798.000.00 103607.00 0.000.0
Property Rentals6217.000.00 1867.00 0.000.0
Other Intergovernmental0.000.00 0.00 1119413.000.0
Mass Transit Revenues245197919.00266945737.00 263505980.00 261510695.00-2.0
 
GRANT FUND - MCG
EXPENDITURES
Salaries and Wages447842.001285595.00 1285595.00 1154787.00-10.2
Employee Benefits133201.00351043.00 351043.00 364852.003.9
Grant Fund - MCG Personnel Costs581043.001636638.00 1636638.00 1519639.00-7.1
Operating Expenses3862617.003487745.00 3487745.00 3487745.000.0
Grant Fund - MCG Expenditures4443660.005124383.00 5124383.00 5007384.00-2.3
PERSONNEL
Full-Time15.0015.00 15.00 15.000.0
Part-Time0.000.00 0.00 0.000.0
FTEs13.1013.10 13.10 12.20-6.9
REVENUES
Federal Grants0.001939694.00 1939694.00 1939694.000.0
State Grants0.003184689.00 3184689.00 3067690.00-3.7
Grant Fund - MCG Revenues0.005124383.00 5124383.00 5007384.00-2.3
 
DEPARTMENT TOTALS
Total Expenditures193053533.00193665417.00 204537817.00 211045285.009.0
Total Full-Time Positions868.00884.00 884.00 899.001.7
Total Part-Time Positions16.009.00 9.00 9.000.0
Total FTEs898.61909.36 909.36 922.861.5
Total Revenues245197919.00272070120.00 268630363.00 266518079.00-2.0
FY26 Recommended Changes
TitleExpendituresFTEs
MASS TRANSIT
FY25 ORIGINAL APPROPRIATION188541034896.26
Changes (with service impacts)
Add: Howard County Flash Expansion (Offset by Revenue from Howard County) [Transit Services]111941317.00
Add: Zero Fare Transit Ambassadors [Transit Services]2500000.00
Add: Automated Bus Lane Enforcement Pilot [Transit Services]1600000.00
Reduce: Countywide Transportation Demand Management Outreach Contract [Community Mobility Services]-2000000.00
Reduce: Transportation Services Improvement Fund Taxicab Reimbursements to Ensure the Sustainability of the Fund [Community Mobility Services]-9912650.00
Other Adjustments (with no service impacts)
Increase Cost: FY26 Compensation Adjustment52129100.00
Increase Cost: Motor Pool Adjustment45657620.00
Increase Cost: Annualization of FY25 Compensation Increases28162490.00
Increase Cost: Overtime Adjustment [Transit Services]24000000.00
Increase Cost: Bus Shelter Maintenance [Transit Services]16000000.00
Increase Cost: Juneteenth Holiday Pay [Transit Services]4874760.00
Increase Cost: Contract Escalations [Transit Services]3920580.00
Increase Cost: Retirement Adjustment3533780.00
Increase Cost: Utilities [Transit Services]2158890.00
Increase Cost: Printing and Mail Adjustment1924530.00
Increase Cost: Transit Asset Management Plan [Transit Services]1500000.00
Shift: From Grant Fund [Community Mobility Services]960050.90
Increase Cost: Nicholson Court Lease [Transit Services]480950.00
Increase Cost: Three Percent Inflationary Adjustment to Non-Profit Service Provider Contracts [Community Mobility Services]247780.00
Increase Cost: Three Percent Inflationary Adjustment to Non-Profit Service Provider Contracts [Transit Services]166540.00
Increase Cost: Marketing Services Contract Escalations [Community Mobility Services]162570.00
Increase Cost: TRiPS Commuter Store Contract Escalation [Community Mobility Services]148600.00
Increase Cost: White Oak Transportation Management District [Community Mobility Services]37180.00
Decrease Cost: Transportation Management District Reporting [Community Mobility Services]-195000.00
Decrease Cost: Risk Management Adjustment-245600.00
Decrease Cost: FY25 Mid-Year Position Consolidation [Transit Services]-65291-1.00
Decrease Cost: Commuter Survey for Employees and Residents [Community Mobility Services]-1000000.00
Decrease Cost: Elimination of Fare Collection [Transit Services]-557113-2.50
Decrease Cost: Annualization of FY25 Personnel Costs-6813590.00
FY26 RECOMMENDED206037901910.66
 
GRANT FUND - MCG
FY25 ORIGINAL APPROPRIATION512438313.10
Other Adjustments (with no service impacts)
Decrease Cost: Annualization of FY25 Personnel Costs-209940.00
Shift: To Mass Transit Fund [Community Mobility Services]-96005-0.90
FY26 RECOMMENDED500738412.20
Program Summary
Program NameFY25 APPR
Expenditures
FY25 APPR
FTEs
FY26 REC
Expenditures
FY26 REC
FTEs
Community Mobility Services1695384033.831592741232.28
Transit Services175303260869.53194220488885.58
Transit Services General Administration14083176.008973855.00
Total193665417909.36211045285922.86
Charges to Other Departments
Charged DepartmentCharged FundFY25
Total$
FY25
FTES
FY26
Total$
FY26
FTES
MASS TRANSIT
Health and Human ServicesGeneral Fund2736940.002826940.00
Funding Parameter Items ($000s)
TitleFY26FY27FY28FY29FY30FY31
MASS TRANSIT
EXPENDITURES
FY26 Recommended206038.000000206038.000000206038.000000206038.000000206038.000000206038.000000
No inflation or compensation change is included in outyear projections.
Annualization of Positions Recommended in FY260.000000835.000000835.000000835.000000835.000000835.000000
New positions in the FY26 budget are generally assumed to be filled at least three months after the fiscal year begins. Therefore, the above amounts reflect annualization of these positions in the outyears.
Elimination of One-Time Items Recommended in FY260.000000-427.000000-427.000000-427.000000-427.000000-427.000000
Items recommended for one-time funding in FY26, including Zero Fare Transit Ambassadors and update of of the Transit Asset Management Plan, will be eliminated from the base in the outyears.
Labor Contracts0.000000466.000000466.000000466.000000466.000000466.000000
These figures represent the estimated annualized cost of general wage adjustments, service increments, and other negotiated items.
MD 355 Bus Rapid Transit0.0000000.0000000.00000039500.00000040700.00000040700.000000
Estimated budget impact of MD 355 Bus Rapid Transit, which is projected to start service on the segment from Rockville to Germantown in 2029.
Veirs Mill Road Bus Rapid Transit0.0000003600.0000003708.0000003820.0000003934.0000003934.000000
Estimated budget impact of Veirs Mill Road Bus Rapid Transit, which is projected to start service in 2027. Budget impacts are net of anticipated savings from repurposing resources for existing service on the corridor.
Subtotal Expenditures206038.000000210512.000000210620.000000250232.000000251546.000000251546.000000