Contact: Esther Bowring, 240-777-6530
Carolyn Biggins, 240-777-5800
For Immediate Release: October 5, 2001

Duncan Announces Ride On Will Join Metro in
Offering Free Fares Next Weekend

Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan announced today that the County's Ride On bus system will offer free rides on October 13 and 14, joining Metro in an effort to boost tourism in the Washington region.

"Getting our economy back on track by visiting tourist attractions and attending cultural events is part of getting back to our way of life in the Washington region," said Duncan. "Our recovery is spiritual, psychological and economic - it's learning how to live, travel, and enjoy the richness of our area again."

Duncan and his family plan to visit tourist attractions in Montgomery County and Washington D.C. next weekend to take advantage of the free Ride On and Metrorail rides and support the region's economy.

To further promote Ride On's free service, the Conference and Visitors Bureau (CVB) of Montgomery County, Maryland will be distributing Ride On information to hotels and attractions in the area, to visitors who call 301-428-9702, or to those who check their website at www.cvbmontco.com. Most hotels in the area are offering special discounts next weekend, and CVB can provide information about the rates.

For more information about Ride On's schedules and service, contact the County's Transit Information Center at 240-777-7433 (RIDE) or check the website at www.RideOnbus.com. Ride On passes can be purchased online. To obtain information about carpooling, call 301-770-POOL.