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 FY19 Operating Budget for the Division of Transit Services is $137,596,177, an increase of $303,581 or 0.22 percent from the FY18 Approved Budget of $137,292,596. Personnel Costs comprise 57.48 percent of the budget for 859 full-time position(s) and no part-time position(s), and a total of 876.37 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 42.52 percent of the FY19 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 $21,894,010 is required.

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

Linkage to County Result Areas

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

• An Effective and Efficient Transportation Network
• Healthy and Sustainable Neighborhoods
• Vital Living for All of Our Residents

Department 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 FY18 estimates reflect funding based on the FY18 approved budget. The FY19 and FY20 figures are performance targets based on the FY19 approved budget and funding for comparable service levels in FY20.

Accomplishments

• Successfully implemented Ride On ExtRa, a new limited stop service from Lakeforest Mall in Gaithersburg to the Medical Center Metrorail Station in Bethesda.

• Enhanced Seniors Ride Free program with extended hours of service on Saturdays for both Ride On and Metrobus service riders in Montgomery County.

• Increased Ride On service in the Clarksburg area to shopping outlets and Shady Grove Metrorail.

• Successfully competed for and obtained a Federal bus emissions grant to support infrastructure and purchase costs for new electric buses in FY19.

Initiatives

• Starting in January 2019, Ride On will operate a new pilot neighborhood service from Olney into Rockville with smaller circulator buses that are more reasonable and flexible to operate along small neighborhood roads.

  The new circulator routes will run every 10 minutes during rush hour and will take all current forms of fare media like other larger Ride On buses. Transferability to other buses and Metrorail will be easier.

  The opportunity to get closer into the neighborhoods and utilize a new "app" to arrange for pickup should attract new riders and revitalize transit use in these areas. Even with smaller buses all of the buses will be ADA accessible.

• Starting in May 2018, provide new US 29 Ride On overlay service to alleviate traffic congestion in this major thoroughfare.
• Starting in January 2019, extend Ride On Route 75 to serve the Germantown MARC station during weekday peak periods.

Program Descriptions

  Passenger Facilities

The Passenger Facilities program provides for the safe, comfortable, clean, and accessible entry for transit customers into the transit system. The program is responsible for supervising the construction and maintenance of bus shelters and the collection of the County's share of revenues generated through advertising sales. It is also responsible...

  Medicaid and Senior Programs

Medicaid and Senior Programs Special Transportation Programs provide: Medicaid transportation to and from medical appointments for eligible participants; a user-side subsidy program (Call-n-Ride) that provides travel options for low-income elderly and disabled; and information on public private transportation programs available to seniors and persons with disabilities...

  Ride On

Fixed-route bus service is provided by the Ride On system throughout the County. Ride On operates primarily in neighborhoods and provides a collector and distributor service to the major transfer points and transit centers in the County. Ride On supplements and coordinates the County's mass transit services with Metrobus and...

  Commuter Services

The Commuter Services Section promotes alternatives to the single occupant vehicle -- including transit, car/vanpooling, biking, walking, and telework-- to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality. Programs and services are concentrated in the County's five Transportation Management Districts: Silver Spring, Friendship Heights, Bethesda, North Bethesda and Greater Shady Grove,...

  Taxi Regulation

The Taxi Regulation program is responsible for issuance, enforcement, renewal, and management of passenger vehicle licenses and taxicab driver IDs. This program administers the taxicab regulation, licensing, and permit activities of Chapter 53 of the Montgomery County Code....

  Customer Service

The Customer Service program is the interface between Ride On's service delivery and customer information. In addition to managing the distribution of paper transit timetables, web sites are maintained and updated, and real time information is provided through various media (phone, web, mobile apps and signs). System information is provided...

  Transit Operations Planning

The Transit Operations Planning program provides comprehensive, coordinated, and integrated services to assure the County's transit needs are met. To accomplish this objective, the program plans and schedules Ride On service; evaluates and develops Ride On routes; adjusts schedules three times a year; and coordinates bus service with the Washington...

  Transit Parking Facility Maintenance

The Transit Parking Facility Maintenance program funds the operation and maintenance of the Park & Ride Lots as well as Transit Centers. The Division of Parking Management Operations section provides and manages the maintenance services....

  Fixed Costs

The Fixed Costs program contains certain cost items that involve long-term funding commitments independent of the annual scope of program costs. Fixed costs included in this category are utility payments and insurance. Casualty insurance for Ride On is provided through the Division of Risk Management. The costs are required or...

  Administration

The Administration program provides general management, planning, supervision, and support for the Division. It performs financial management tasks, administers contracts, manages grants, provides personnel management functions, and provides Montgomery County's financial support to the Washington Suburban Transit Commission....