Press Releases - Department of Transportation

For Immediate Release: Monday, January 5, 2009

Using the SmarTrip card on the bus is easy--just tap the farebox

The Ride On bus system has joined Metro in eliminating paper transfers. Ride On has also for the first time begun discounts to bus passengers transferring to Metrorail. The changes benefit passengers by increasing the amount of time they are eligible for a discounted or free transfer – increasing the two hour window to three hours. The changes make it even easier and more convenient for passengers using SmarTrip cards to transfer to any of the transit systems in the region.

These changes went info effect on January 4, 2009:

1) Provide a discounted fare when transferring from bus to Metrorail. Ride On passengers using SmarTrip cards who transfer to rail within three hours of initiating their bus trip will now receive a 50 cent discount on their Metrorail trip.

2) Eliminate paper transfers, but continue free bus transfers for Ride On SmarTrip card users. Ride On has followed Metro’s lead in eliminating paper transfers, which were available to patrons transferring from one bus to another. However, SmarTrip card users continue to receive a free transfer within three hours of boarding the first bus.

3) Two additional changes for Ride On users are still pending until the Montgomery County Council votes on January 13. The first issue they will decide is whether or not to approve a 50 cent discount on bus transfers from Metrorail to Ride On or Metrobus within three hours of boarding Metrorail. If the Council approves this action, the new discount will go into effect Sunday, January 25.

The second decision is whether to eliminate the 20-Trip Ride On punch ticket, which is no longer needed. Since the price for each ride on the 20-Trip Ticket is $1.25, the same discounted fare as paid by a SmarTrip card user, these paper tickets are no longer needed to provide regular riders who use SmarTrip a reduced rate for bus rides.

For more information on Ride On rates, go to the Division of Transit Services' website or call the Transit Information Center at 240-777-RIDE (7433). Information about using SmarTrip cards is available in both English and Spanish on the Montgomery County YouTube site.