MCDOT Unveils Ride On Flex at Microtransit Public Forum

For Immediate Release: Friday, April 26, 2019

At a public forum yesterday evening at Loiderman Middle School in Silver Spring, MCDOT unveiled plans for Ride On Flex, a demand response transit pilot program to operate in the Rockville, Glenmont and Wheaton service areas. Area residents turned out to study maps of the service zones, see renderings of the bus design, watch a demo of the Via mobile phone app that will power the Flex service and ask questions about how the service will operate. The service, which will offer a no-fixed-route, no-fixed-schedule service, will be the first of its kind in the county.

The pilot program, which is expected to launch in late June, will allow riders to request trips from a designated pick up and drop off location using an app on their mobile phones.  An 11-passenger bus will provide service within pre-defined geographical zones at specific times of the day.  Riders will be given an estimated time for pick up and drop off and directed to a nearby virtual bus stop.  Flex is expected to operate in the Rockville zone from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and in the Wheaton/Glenmont zone during peak periods (6:00 – 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 – 7:00 p.m.). The zones offer connections between households, transit hubs, commercial centers and public services.

Current Ride On fares will apply to this service. While users will book a ride using the app, they will pay the fare as they board the bus just as with any Ride On service. Learn more.

Release ID: 19-065
Media Contact: Maureen McNulty 240-777-7199