Ride On bus fares in Montgomery County have been free since March 2020 and the Montgomery Better Buses coalition, organized by the Coalition for Smarter Growth, has won an extension of free fares four times. Right now, fares will stay free until June 2022. But we’d like to see free fares extended until at least October 2023, when the county’s study to redesign Ride On and Metrobus routes will be complete. Extending free fares is estimated to cost $9.8 million for Fiscal Year 2023, because the County Executive has already included $1 fares in the budget (fares were $2 before the pandemic).

Free Ride On keeps money in the pockets of the people who need it most. We know from the county’s recent Fare Equity Study that the median household income of a Ride On rider is $35,000. Instead of spending money on the bus, people would spend that money locally on groceries, rent, healthcare, and other needs. Free fares is also part of a strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emission by incentivizing more people to ride the bus instead of driving a car.

Public Hearing: Resolution to Establish FY23 Transportation Fees, Charges, and Fares

Date: Tuesday, April 19th at 1:30pm (virtual or in-person)

Are you not able to make it? Totally fine! You can send an email to the County Council showing your support for free fares and more.