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 FY24 Operating Budget for the Division of Transit Services is $182,723,520, an increase of $9,773,199 or 5.65 percent from the FY23 Approved Budget of $172,950,321. Personnel Costs comprise 56.14 percent of the budget for 868 full-time position(s) and 16 part-time position(s), and a total of 898.61 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 43.86 percent of the FY24 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 the Debt Service, a transfer of funds from the Mass Transit Fund to the Debt Service Fund of $29,954,120 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

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 FY23 estimates reflect funding based on the FY23 approved budget. The FY24 and FY25 figures are performance targets based on the FY24 recommended budget and funding for comparable service levels in FY25.

Initiatives

• Conduct a comprehensive study, Ride On Reimagined, to guide the future direction of the County's transit system through data analysis and community engagement. Work has been completed toward establishing goals, outcomes, and measures with a focus on three priority areas: Safety and Vision Zero; Environment and Climate Resiliency; and Economic Development and Equitable Access. Outreach events are occurring throughout the study's development. Beginning in 2023, Phase 2 of the project will focus on service concepts. County residents, transit passengers, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders will participate in the development of policy recommendations and implementation strategies by 2024.

• Complete a zero-emission bus fleet transition study by summer 2023 to develop concrete strategies to reach zero-emissions by 2035. The study supports greenhouse gas reduction goals outlined in the County's Climate Action Plan and includes an evaluation of existing and future facilities and their relationship to the technology transition; the impact of the transition on the current workforce; and the availability of current and future resources to meet the costs for transition and implementation. The study will also develop a program of requirements for a new zero-emission bus operations and maintenance facility.

• Transition to zero emission buses on the Bethesda Circulator service. Three gas-powered buses currently providing this service will be replaced by electric buses in coordination with the Bethesda Urban Partnership.
• Maintain a reduction in every Call-n-Ride participant's monthly co-payment by $5.25 through financial support from the Transportation Services Improvement Fund. This co-pay subsidy has been supported in the past four years by a grant from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments which is expiring in February 2024. New funding for this benefit will continue to provide affordable transportation for the lowest income residents.

Innovations and Productivity Improvements

• Successfully competed and obtained a Federal Lo/No emission grant to support the purchase of hydrogen fuel cell buses and the construction of a green hydrogen fueling site at the David F. Bone Equipment Maintenance Transit Operations Center in Gaithersburg. The Federal grant award will enable the replacement of 13 diesel-fueled buses in the Ride On fleet with zero-emission, hydrogen powered buses.

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...