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 recommended FY21 Operating Budget for the Division of Transit Services is $156,993,890, an increase of $11,865,663 or 8.2 percent from the FY20 Approved Budget of $145,128,227. Personnel Costs comprise 55.1 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 44.9 percent of the FY21 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 $20,686,890 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 FY20 estimates reflect funding based on the FY20 approved budget. The FY21 and FY22 figures are performance targets based on the FY21 recommended budget and funding for comparable service levels in FY22.

Initiatives

• Implement a Transit Services Route Restructuring project that will examine the transit system's route network and recommend changes for more efficient and effective service delivery. A variety of route features will be examined including route structure and connectivity, route span and frequency of service. The route restructuring study will lead to recommendations to improve service delivery, transportation connectivity between local routes, connectivity between local and regional routes, and first mile/last mile transportation. A key aspect of the study will be the introduction of Electric buses to the fleet and how that changes the route structure.

• Replace the Transit Radio System to maintain and integrate regional interoperability system support and enhanced features pursuant to national standards for radio devices. The current Transit Services radio system can no longer be supported as the equipment production stopped over a decade ago and the current vendor has sent out a notice that they will no longer be able to provide maintenance support for the current radio system. By upgrading its radio system, the transit service program will ensure that during emergency situations continued communication between bus operators and central communication is reliable and consistent.

• Expand eligibility for the Call N Ride program to serve an additional 166 participants.

Innovations and Productivity Improvements

• Successfully launched Ride On FLEX bus service. This is an on-demand service operating in the Rockville, Glenmont, and Wheaton areas. Ridership has tripled on this route since the launch with average customer wait times of 7-9 minutes.
• New limited stop FLASH service will launch in Summer 2020 between the Burtonsville Park-and-Ride Lot and the Silver Spring Transit Center. The line will include 18 new station platforms with a fleet of 16 60-foot articulated buses. Service will run from 5:30am-midnight seven days a week with 7.5 minute headways in the morning and afternoon peak periods and 15 minutes all other times.

• Four Electric buses, the first in the fleet, will be placed into service in May 2020 with another ten expected to go into service in FY21. MCDOT will continue to pursue opportunities to expand the Electric bus fleet through Public Private Partnerships and grants.

Program Descriptions

  Transit Services

The Transit Services program provides Ride On fixed-route bus service, the Flash transit service and the Flex on demand zone based service in the County. The program plans and schedules all transit service, evaluates and develops routes and zones; and adjusts bus schedules three times a year. Ride On operates...

  Transit Parking Facility Maintenance

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

  Transit Services General Administration

The Transit Services General Administration provides general management, planning, supervision and support for the Division....

  Community Mobility Services

The Community Mobility Services program provides mobility options for County residents and commuters. The Mobility Services program includes a user-side subsidy program (Call-n-Ride) that provides travel options for low-income elderly and disabled; transportation to and from medical appointments for Medicaid participants; outreach and information on public private transportation programs available...

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

  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...

  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....