It is the County's intent to enter into contract with a competent, qualified and experienced professional security firm, capable of offering a program that provides the most comprehensive and highly visible Fare Evasion Security Services for the FLASH service while demonstrating the ability and resources to expand the security program to include other current or future Montgomery County Transit Services (such as Ride On), or as required by the County. The off-board payment will allow riders to pay their fare before getting on the bus, which speeds up service by allowing riders to board using any door on the bus. While this feature decreases the time, buses spend loading and unloading, it may increase the risk of riders deliberately boarding without paying a valid fare. To mitigate this risk, fare evasion officers will request proof of payment from passengers and those found without valid proof of payment may be educated about Montgomery County Transit Services fare policy (https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DOT-Transit/fares/) or referred to County Police as determined by the County’s fare evasion policy.