Press Releases - Department of Transportation
Silver Spring VanGo Circulator Sports a Starry New Look
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, July 24, 2019
Left to right: MCDOT Transit Operations Chief Michael Nesselt, MCDOT Director Al Roshdieh, Silver Spring Urban
Advisory Committee Chair Diana Brown, MCDOT Silver Spring/Bethesda Ride On Section Chief Andre Lucas, Silver Spring
Urban District Director Richard Bingham, Silver Spring Regional Services Director Reemberto Rodriguez
In a nod to its namesake, Ride On’s VanGo circulator hit the streets of downtown Silver Spring this morning with a brand-new Starry Night theme. The new bus wrap was designed to give the free shuttle a striking and instantly recognizable appearance; Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night, painted in 1889, describes an idyllic view just before sunrise.
While this MCDOT free shuttle has been a fixture of downtown Silver Spring since 2001, the community has long called for special branding of the bus as a marketing measure for the hop-on, hop-off service in the urban district.
“I am glad we were able to accommodate the community’s wish for their own branded bus,” said MCDOT Director Al Roshdieh as he gathered with community leaders yesterday to view the newly wrapped 30-foot bus, which is funded through the Silver Spring Parking Lot District.
“This is yet another wonderful addition to our arts and entertainment district to help people get around to the venues and attractions in the district,” said Silver Spring Regional Services Director Reemberto Rodriguez. “It’s one of those little things that matters a lot.”
“A lot of people use this service to get from point A to point B downtown,” said Silver Spring Urban Advisory Committee Chair Diana Brown. She added that the bold FREE on the side of the bus is eye-catching and should help increase awareness and ridership.
The VanGo free shuttle service, Ride On Route 28, operates Monday through Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. and Friday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Buses circulate every 15 minutes; one of them carries the new wrap.
“It’s accommodating,” said Silver Spring Urban District Director Richard Bingham. “It allows people to take advantage of all the opportunities offered in Silver Spring. A lot of people depend on it—and I like the new look.”
Weekday ridership on the VanGo averages 700 per day and has grown by 24 percent since 2015. Saturday ridership averages over 400 riders per day and is also trending sharply upwards.
The route operates between the following stops:
--Paul S. Sarbanes Transit Center/Silver Spring Metro
--16th St./Second Ave./Cameron St.
--Fenton St./Georgia Ave./13th St.-Montgomery College
--Kennett St.
Media Contact: Maureen McNulty 240-777-7199
