‘Courtesy Stop’ Program of Montgomery County’s Ride On and Metrobus Will Allow Late Night Bus Riders to Request Drop-Offs Between Stops for Safety

For Immediate Release: Monday, July 3, 2023

Montgomery County Ride On bus riders will be able to request to be dropped off between stops when traveling late at night starting Sunday, July 2. The Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) Ride On buses will begin offering the “Courtesy Stop” program to allow bus riders more options to get to their destination safely and easily when traveling after dark. Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Metrobuses started the program June 25.

Available after 9 p.m., the Courtesy Stop program will let riders request to be dropped off at any point along the regular bus route, in addition to designated bus stops.

“Commuting via bus service at night can be potentially dangerous,” said County Executive Elrich. “By allowing Ride On and WMATA buses to drop off passengers in between bus stops will help eliminate pedestrians walking on roads during evening hours when it is tougher to see them. This is a commonsense safety solution that is long overdue in our County. I appreciate MCDOT and WMATA for enacting the Courtesy Stop program.”  

Riders can request a Courtesy Stop on any MCDOT Ride On bus or WMATA Metrobus. However, Metrobus Express and Limited Stop buses, such as Flash, operating in Montgomery County, are excluded from the program.

“We don’t anticipate that the Courtesy Stops will have any significant impact on the overall travel times for buses, and it will offer riders an extra level of security at night,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “With WMATA buses also participating, riders can take advantage of these nighttime options when traveling by bus anywhere in the County.”

Requesting a Courtesy Stop

• When you board the bus, inform the bus operator where you want to get off.
• A block from your stop, remind the bus operator where you want to get off.
• The bus operator will drop you off at the safest location near your requested stop.
• Use the front door when exiting the bus.

The requested stop must be along the regular bus route, and cannot be at an intersection, along a highway or freeway. A bus operator can refuse a requested stop if the driver deems the undesignated stop as unsafe.

More details about the Ride On program can be found on the MCDOT Ride On Courtesy Stop webpage.

For information on MCDOT programs and services visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, follow @MCDOTNow on  Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to MCDOT’s “Go Montgomery!” newsletter.

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Release ID: 23-285
Media Contact: Emily DeTitta 240-372-2232
Categories: Transportation