Ride On to Hold Public Forum about Proposed Service Cuts

Montgomery County invites residents to attend an upcoming public forum and provide comment on proposed changes to Ride On’s bus service. Montgomery County is faced with a projected budget shortfall of $600 million for Fiscal Year 2011. To help close the gap, the County is proposing to reduce and/or eliminate Ride On routes that have the fewest riders or those where other alternative service is available. All comments will be considered before any route changes are finalized.
The forum will be held on Monday, February 1, starting at 6:30 p.m., at the Executive Office Building Cafeteria, Terrace Level, located at 101 Monroe Street, Rockville, Maryland. In case of inclement weather, the public forum will be held on Tuesday, February 2 at the same location.

Proposed route changes include discontinuing weekday routes 3, 21, 30, 33, 36, 52, 53 and 81; discontinuing Saturday routes 14, 23, 29, 43, 45, 83, 98, L8, T2, Z2; discontinuing Sunday routes 29, 38, 83, L8, T2; discontinuing weekday route segments on Route 7: west of Georgia Avenue and reverse of rush hour east of Georgia Avenue, Route 22: Elton Road extension, Route 32: Woodrock extension and Route 43: Fallsgrove branch; and weekday rush hour trip reductions to Routes 22, 43 and 93.

By close of business on January 25, individuals and representatives of organizations who wish to speak at the public forum should provide, in writing, their name, home address, telephone number, e-mail address and organization to the Division of Transit Services, Ride On Public Forum, 101 Monroe Street, 5th Floor, Rockville, Maryland 20850. Those who have signed up to speak must bring two printed copies of their testimony for the record. Sign language interpreter services will be provided only upon request with notice as far in advance as possible, but no later than January 27. Large print format is available upon request.

Comments on the proposed service changes and reductions may be provided to the Division of Transit Services by 5 p.m. on January 29 in writing, by emailing mcdot.rideonpublicforums@montgomerycountymd.gov, by calling 240-777-5800 or faxing 240-777-5801. For additional information on the proposed changes, go to the Ride On website at www.rideonbus.com and click “visit here” under “Riders’ News.”