Press Releases - Department of Transportation

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, June 9, 2020

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) Ride On Chief for Planning & Implementation Phil McLaughlin has been named a “High Riser” by County Executive Marc Elrich and Chief Administrative Officer Andrew Kleine. He was recognized for rising to the challenge of the COVID-19 health crisis and going above and beyond to assist County residents and businesses.

“The behind the scenes work that Phil McLaughlin and his team provide for Ride On is essential to operating our transit system,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “Ride On operates the second largest bus fleet in the Metropolitan Washington region, and managing an extensive and rapid change in our service levels was extremely challenging. I am proud of the way McLaughlin rose to meet that challenge. We are very grateful to have this hard-working and talented person leading our bus planning and implementation efforts. He is someone who consistently goes above and beyond to serve the public.”

Starting in mid-March, McLaughlin led his team in making multiple adjustments to Ride On schedules to meet changing service needs as stay at home orders were implemented statewide. Putting in long hours, his team developed new schedules that prioritized Equity Emphasis Areas and essential services, and adjusted the underlying work and fleet assignments needed to support them. McLaughlin’s team adapted communications tools and implemented new operating models to meet the changing needs of public transportation as response to the public health crisis evolved.

McLaughlin’s work is not done. His team is now turning its attention to how Ride On service can be restored as businesses and activities resume during the recovery. A new service model, Essential Plus, was launched June 7 to support reopening and economic recovery efforts in the County.

Follow Ride On at @RideOnMCT on Twitter, @RideOnMCT on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, visit www.rideonbus.com, subscribe to receive email alerts or text MONTGOMERY RIDEON to 468311.

For other local transportation information, follow @MCDOTNow on Twitter, visit MCDOT’s transportation resource page for COVID-19, subscribe to MCDOT news releases or subscribe to MCDOT’s Go Montgomery! biweekly newsletter.

For the latest Montgomery County updates during the health crisis, visit the County’s COVID-19 website and follow Montgomery County on Facebook @MontgomeryCountyInfo and Twitter @MontgomeryCoMD.

Put the “count” in Montgomery County! Be sure to complete the Census online, by phone, or by mail. It’s safe, confidential, easy, and important. #2020Census #EveryoneCountsMCMD

Release ID: 20-115
Media Contact: Hannah Henn 240-777-8389