Leggett Announces Launch of New MD 355 Ride On extRa Service

For Immediate Release: Monday, October 2, 2017

Today, County Executive Ike Leggett participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new, limited stop Ride On extRa rush hour service. Leggett announced that Ride On extRa will be free during the month of October 2017. He was joined at the celebration by County Council Vice President Hans Riemer, Department of Transportation Director Al Roshdieh, and Montgomery College Parking and Transportation Manager Mark Pace.

“Today we launched Ride On extRa, a new service to provide faster commutes and more transit connections along Route 355 – Ride On’s highest ridership corridor,” said Leggett.  “This new Ride On extRa service is part of Montgomery County’s ongoing efforts to provide people even more transportation choices that are safe, convenient, and environmentally friendly.”

Ride On extRa makes just 12 stops and operates every 10 minutes Monday through Friday, 5:30 – 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 – 7:30 p.m. between Lakeforest Transit Center in Gaithersburg and the Medical Center Metro Station in Bethesda.  Route 355 connects to half of the County’s transit services, including Metrobus, Metrorail, MARC train, MTA Commuter buses and 44 Ride On routes.

“We hope that everyone will take advantage of the free rides in October to try out Ride On extRa,” said Roshdieh. “Use the free WiFi and USB charging ports to get work done or stay in touch and relax in the comfortable seats. We hope once you experience the convenience and speed of Ride On extRa, you’ll become a regular rider.”

Ride on extRa vehicles have transit signal priority to speed service and many passenger amenities that promote comfort, including low-floor boarding, free WiFi, USB charging ports and padded seats.

After the October introductory free service, Ride On extRa will be available at the regular Ride On fare by using a SmartTrip card, pass, token or cash. To speed boarding, passengers will not be able to load fare cards on the bus. Fare cards can be loaded at Metrorail stations, other locations or the new Montgomery County Mobile Commuter Store (MCS); the schedule for the MCS will be available online.

Ride On extRa stops are located at Lakeforest Transit Center, Summit Ave., Westland Dr., Shady Grove Metro, Montgomery College, Rockville Metro, Edmonston Dr., Halpine Rd., Marinelli Rd., Security Ln., Tuckerman Ln., and Medical Center.

New bus shelters and bus stop flag signs have been erected to identify Ride On extRa bus stops. Ride On and MCDOT’s Division of Transportation Engineering partnered with Arts on the Block to create artwork for each extRa bus stop. Arts on the Block is a nonprofit organization that provides opportunities to teens to obtain real-world experience in the intersection of art, design and business by executing public and private art commissions with clients across the metropolitan region. A few years ago, these young artists created mosaics for some of Ride On’s bus stop walls and now teens from the Apprentice Artists program have designed unique mosaic medallions for each of our Ride On extRa bus stops.

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Release ID: 17-439
Media Contact: Lorraine Driscoll 240-777-6507