Give and Ride Week Kicks off with a New Look for Ride On

For Immediate Release: Thursday, April 25, 2019

Montgomery County’s Ride On bus service renewed an old tradition this morning, when it kicked off its 32nd Annual “Give and Ride Week” that provides residents with an opportunity to help the Manna Food Center. However, Ride On also unveiled something new at the same time—a fresh look on the newest buses in its fleet.

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich (second from right, top image), County Director of Transportation Al Roshdieh, County Councilmember Sidney Katz and Manna Food Center Chief Executive Officer Jackie DeCarlo helped kick off Give and Ride Week, which will run from Sunday, April 28, through Saturday, May 4. The kick-off ceremonies were held in the traffic circle adjacent to the County Executive Office Building in Rockville.

During Give and Ride Week, residents are encouraged to donate food in exchange for skipping the fare on the County bus service. The program helps the Gaithersburg-based Manna Food Center in its goal to feed 32,000 hungry County residents, including the program that sends 2,800 elementary school students home on Fridays with food bundles to help get the students and their families through the weekend.

Even those who do not regularly use Ride On’s services can help meet the increasing need in the community by giving donations to any Ride On bus operator or dropping off donations directly to Manna Foods. Learn more about how best to support this effort.

“Many people only think of helping those in need during the winter holidays, but we are glad to be part of this tradition that reminds us that there are people in this County who are hungry all year round,” said County Executive Elrich.

The event also provided the first look at one of Ride On’s 26 new buses. Each new member of the fleet showcases Ride On’s dynamic new look with its blue, green and white wave paint scheme. The 40-foot Gillig buses were purchased through the Department of Transportation’s standard replacement program on a 12-year cycle. The new buses include 23 compressed natural gas buses and three diesel buses. Four electric buses are scheduled to follow in the fall.

“This is a good day on all accounts,” said MCDOT Director Roshdieh. “Every year, we want to show this County another way in which Ride On and its users can help the less fortunate.  And we are all excited about the new look that our buses will carry on the roads of Montgomery County for years to come.”

Manna CEO DeCarlo said Ride On is a great partner for Manna.

“Public transit brings communities across Montgomery County together,” she said. “Manna Food Center is grateful to all those who can participate in Give and Ride to help feed neighbors in need.”

For more information about Montgomery County’s transportation services, go to https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dot/.

 

Release ID: 19-064
Media Contact: Maureen McNulty 240-777-7199, Neil Greenberger 240-777-6532