Contact: Esther Bowring, 240-777-6530
Carolyn Biggins, 240-777-5800
For Immediate Release: August 28, 2001

Ride On’s Rockville Pike Lunchtime Shuttle Will
Cease Operations on August 31;
Other Ride On Service Changes to Take Effect September 2

The last day of service for Ride On Route 91, also known as the Rockville Pike Lunchtime Shuttle, will be August 31. The Montgomery County Council eliminated funding for the shuttle from Ride On’s Fiscal Year 2002 budget. The free service ran every five minutes to encourage lunchtime riders to leave their cars at work while running errands, shopping, or dining. The shuttle provided more options to commuters who take public transportation to work, giving them the opportunity to get errands done during the day.

“I’m disappointed that the County Council eliminated this free transportation service,” said Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan. “Although ridership was not what we would have liked it to be, it’s important to do what we can to relieve traffic congestion.”

Shuttle riders will be able to use Ride On Route 46, which provides service along Rockville Pike every 15 minutes. Regular non-rush hour fares will be in effect during the previously free 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. shuttle service hours.

The Rockville Shuttle began operating in May 1999 at a cost of $252,000 a year. Ridership was below the average for the Ride On system, with about 58,000 riders annually.

The County operates two other successful free shuttles. The Bethesda 8 Trolley operates Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to midnight; Friday from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m.; and Saturday evening from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. The Silver Spring Dasher provides service between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. weekdays.

Beginning September 2, service adjustments to Ride On Routes 2, 4, 14, 19, 36, 45, 53, 59, 61, and 124 will occur (see below fact sheet for details).

Riders are reminded about service changes that occurred on July 30 in Langley Park to Routes 15, 17, and 18, the new service on Route 32 and 32B while the Cabin John Bridge is rebuilt, and the extended hours for the Bethesda 8 Trolley. For more information about Ride On service, call the County’s Transit Information Center at 240-777-7433. Bus schedule information is also available on the County’s web site at www.RideOnbus.com and on Metro’s web site at www.wmata.com.

On Routes 2,4,14,19, 32, 36,45, 53, 61, 91 and 124 there are schedule adjustments. Refer to your individual timetables or call 240-777-7433 for exact times. New Schedules are updated on the internet prior to September 2, 2001 at www.RideOnBus.com.

Weekday-Saturday-Sunday

Route 2

• Additional PM weekday trip to serve Walter Reed Army Hospital annex

Route 4

• Departure times from Armory & knowles have been adjusted by one minute

Route 14

• Added trip leaving Eastern Middle School at 2:44PM to Takoma Station

Route 15, 17, 18

• Effective July 30, 2001, buses will not enter the Hampshire-Langley Shopping Center. New routing for these routes will be on Lebanon Street

Route 19

• Added 2:48PM trip from Silver Spring to Dennis Avenue & University Blvd.

Route 36

• Added 7:50AM weekday trip to Potomac Connolly School
• Added 3:22PM weekday trip to Bethesda Station

Route 45

• Added 7:55AM trip to Twinbrook Station

Route 46-Eliminate Ride Free Zone

• This route will no longer have a ride free zone from 11:00AM to 2:00PM weekday between Rockville Station to Rockville Pike and Edson Lane. The regular non-rush hour fare will apply

Route 53

• Revised route serving Norbeck Grove, and Montgomery General Hospital, and designated trips to serve Marian Assisted Living facility. Some previously served segments have been eliminated

Route 59

• Weekday 3:09PM trip from Rockville Station to Montgomery Village Center will not enter Walkers Choice

Route 61

• Weekday trip from Shady Grove Station at 6:57AM will serve NIST

Route 124

• Trip times adjusted in the non-peak direction

32-Cabin John Bridge Detour

Special detour routing during the re-construction of the MacArthur Blvd. Cabin John Bridge

32B-Cabin John Bridge Shuttle

Free supplemental midday and PM shuttle service will be provided between Glen Echo and Cabin John Monday through Friday with 30 minute frequencies. Saturday and Sunday AM and PM service starting from MacArthur Blvd. Cabin John to Glen Echo with 30 minute frequencies. The 32B is equipped with bike racks

Weekday
• Glen Echo to Cabin John
  10:58AM-12:58PM, 7:58PM-9:58PM
  
• Cabin John to Glen Echo
  11:08AM-1:08PM, 8:08PM-9:38PM

  Saturday

• Cabin John to Glen Echo
  7:32AM-9:32AM, 7:32PM-9:02PM
  
• Glen Echo to Cabin John
  7:43AM-9:13AM, 7:13PM-9:13PM

  Sunday

• Cabin John to Glen Echo
  7:32AM-9:32AM, 6:02PM-7:32PM
  
• Glen Echo to Cabin John
  7:43AM-9:13AM, 5:43PM-7:43PM

This route will be eliminated on September 2, 2001

92-Bethesda 8 Shuttle

Effective July 30, 2001 extended service Monday through Thursday until midnight and Friday until 2:00AM. Saturday service will operate from 6:00PM to 2:00AM.