Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What’s wrong with the way we’re providing transit now?
Ride On is operated effectively and efficiently by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT). However, planning to implement Rapid Transit corridors requires an organization with a single focus, technical capacity, and financial responsibility.
Q. Are there other examples of Transit Authorities?
Yes. Authorities are a common organizational structure for providing transit that are usually associated with specific, dedicated funding programs and/or regional cooperation involving a number of jurisdictions. For example, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Authority serve larger metro areas. Similar structures serving smaller metropolitan areas include: the Williamsburg Area Transit Authority (WATA) in Virginia, the Southeastern Regional Transit Authority (SRTA) in Massachusetts, and the Chittenden County Transportation Authority (CCTA) in Burlington, Vermont.
Q. How long will this take?
While this will depend on the Montgomery County Council, it could be a couple of years to establish an Authority and have it up and running in support of its mission. The time will allow for smooth transition of operations from those currently performed by County Government agencies and to create rules, procedures and other requirements.
Q. Will this let us get the Rapid Transit System running faster?
Yes. The purpose of the Authority is to improve the County’s capacity to lead the Rapid Transit System development and to focus the planning, design, construction and operation of the system into a single, purpose-built organization.
Q. What are the biggest risks associated with the Authority?
The biggest risks are associated with recruiting talented and competent leadership for the Authority.
Q. If this doesn’t work, can we go back to the way we do it now?
Yes. The proposed State legislation provides for dissolution of the Authority and return of its assets and obligations to the County.
Q. Why don’t we just form a separate transit department?
A transit department would not provide the organizational flexibility and financial independence of an Authority structure.
Q. Why don’t we just change the way MCDOT runs transit?
Changing the way MCDOT runs transit would not provide the operational flexibility and financial independence of an Authority structure.
Q. Why doesn’t WMATA do this for the County?
WMATA does not have the capacity to advance Montgomery County’s program, because it is fully occupied with meeting the needs of the regional transit system. Under a WMATA model, Montgomery County’s needs would compete for resources and attention with other regional jurisdictions and WMATA’s own needs. Furthermore, the funding arrangements for WMATA are not effectively organized to support a program like the Montgomery County Rapid Transit System.
Q. Why doesn’t Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) do this for the County?
The MTA has been advancing the planning for some of the Rapid Transit Corridors. MTA funding and support will continue to be needed. The County’s Transit Authority will bring local focus and leadership to the program, helping to align it with other County objectives and speed up implementation of the Authority.
Q. Why doesn’t the Washington Suburban Transit Commission (WSTC) do this for the County?
The WSTC is an organization designed to administer the WMATA funding program. It is jointly managed by several jurisdictions and does not bring the focus needed to implement Montgomery County’s Rapid Transit program. The WSTC also does not have the financial independence needed to aid the development of the program.
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Q. How much will this cost to set up?
The costs associated with transitioning to the Authority have not been specifically estimated at this time. However, they are likely to be small compared to the ongoing investment in Ride On operations and the proposed investment in the Rapid Transit System (RTS).
Q. Once it is established, will it cost more than the current model?
There may be some additional costs, but there would also be an additional mission generating those costs. MCDOT lacks the resources to develop a sophisticated and large RTS. So, even if the transit authority proposal was not approved, greater costs would be incurred to develop an RTS. However, there are many possibilities for maintaining current arrangements for providing transit service if they are viewed to be efficient by the Authority Board. The Authority will have a fiduciary responsibility to the County and its residents to manage expenditures in an efficient way.
Q. Where will the Authority’s income come from?
The Authority will be supported by many of the same revenue sources in place today. It is expected that local taxes, transfers from other County funds, fares, state and federal aid, and other revenues will continue to support the Authority. The primary difference is that the Mass Transit Tax will be set separately from other County taxes.
Q. What happens to the existing County Mass Transit Tax?
The determination of the tax structure will continue to be the responsibility of the County Council. It is anticipated that the current Mass Transit Tax will sunset once the new tax is established.
Q. Who will set the tax rates?
The County Council will set the rates, answerable to the voters of the County and subject to affordability. There is no specific requirement for new tax rates associated with establishing the Authority
Q. Who will set the transit fares?
Fares will be set by the Transit Authority Board, following required public participation processes established for transit agencies under Federal guidelines.
Q. Will the State still contribute to the development of RTS?
State aid will continue to be an important component of the funding/financing plan for the Rapid Transit program. Given the magnitude of the system, it is unlikely that local revenues alone will be sufficient to advance the program quickly.
Q. Will the State continue to provide capital and operating support for Ride-On?
State aid will continue to be an important funding source for Ride On and future transit operations. The Authority structure does not anticipate substantial changes in the funding contributions of the State to current Ride On operations.
Q. Will the County be liable for the Authority’s debt obligations?
No. The Authority will have separate fiduciary management, and while the Authority will be an instrument of Montgomery County, the Authority alone will be responsible for its debt obligations.
Q. How will the Authority’s budget be managed?
Ultimately, the County Council will control the local tax contributions to the Authority and will have approval authority over the Transit Authority Capital Improvement Plan. Additionally, the Executive and Council will have the ability to influence the composition of the Board. Through these tools, the Authority will be accountable to the County government.
Q. How much additional tax burden are we placing on our citizens and businesses?
That decision will be made by the County Executive and County Council once the Authority is formed and specific plans are produced on how to develop an RTS (including the Corridor Cities Transitway). The Council will have great discretion and flexibility in how fast it wants to move to develop the proposed RTS infrastructure. There will be significant opportunities for public input to the Council prior to their making decisions. Establishing the Authority does not obligate the County to a predetermined level of taxation.
Q. Will enough revenue be generated to build the RTS?
The proposal for the Authority anticipates a restructured relationship with the state regarding its support for infrastructure development. It is anticipated that this revised relationship will increase resources to the Authority. These contributions will sustain planning and design of elements of the system. However, the overall financial capacity of the Authority will depend upon other funding contributions and determination of the Authority’s revenue by County Council.
Q. What role will the State have in the Authority?
State legislation is needed to give the County the power to establish the Authority. Ongoing state capital program and operating support are also needed to support the Authority.
Q. Who will be in charge of setting this up?
Once state enabling and local implementing legislation is in place, the County government will be responsible for establishing the Authority, following the local legislative process. It is expected that the Executive departments will develop these legislative proposals and support the transition of functions to the Authority.
Q. What functions will be transferred to the Authority from the Montgomery County Government?
The specific functions that will be transferred from County Government to the Authority haven’t been identified yet. As the Authority is envisioned, the functions that provide public transit will be transferred as the Authority is capable of taking them on. Other functions discussed have been related to the Parking Lot Districts (PLDs). The local legislation and the Authority management will ultimately determine the functions and their timing for transfer to the Authority.
Q. How will the Authority gain access to the rights of way to build RTS?
The proposed legislation includes provisions that will grant access to County rights-of-way and for working with the state and municipalities to use their rights-of-way to construct the RT S and other transit improvements.
Q. How will the Authority engage in the current RTS studies?
It is expected that the current studies will continue as they are until the Authority is in a position to take over their management.
Q. How will this Authority work with other jurisdictions?
The Authority will be empowered to represent Montgomery County’s transit interests with neighboring jurisdictions, the State, WMATA and MWCOG. The Authority will also be able to enter into agreements with these jurisdictions, subject to public process and board approval.
Q. How will the Authority maintain facilities on County and State roads?
The Authority has a number of internal and external options for right-of-way maintenance including entering into agreements with County, Municipal or State agencies; and enlisting a private contractor to provide these functions.
Q. Will the Authority be able to condemn property?
Yes, the Authority will have condemnation powers, subject to current requirements associated with property takings. The Authority will also have the power to enter into cooperative agreements to acquire property.
Q. Can the Authority do anything other than RTS?
Yes. The Authority can implement any type of transit service improvement deemed appropriate by its management and board, subject to public involvement and County government oversight of the Authority’s funding and Capital Improvement Program.
Q. Could this Authority run school transportation?
No. The Authority could take on other functions; however, that is not the intention and could reduce the Authority’s effectiveness.
Q. Could the Authority manage the Parking Lot Districts?
Possibly. Incorporation of the Parking Lot Districts is an option that has been considered. Adding the PLDs to the Authority might provide additional asset-backing for bond issuances and may provide supplemental revenue to the Authority. These benefits require added functions and may have other impacts to functions currently performed by the PLDs.
Q. Could the Authority take over the Purple Line?
There is no intention for the Authority to take over this project.
Q. Is this coordinated with Howard County’s Regional Transportation Authority (RTA)?
It is expected that the Montgomery County Transit Authority would coordinate its efforts with the Central Maryland RTA (CMRTA) where services connect and there are shared capital program objectives. The CMRTA was investigated as the Montgomery County proposal was developed. The CMRTA is a similar idea, and Howard County would desire similar local ability to establish an Authority.
Q. What impact does this have on WMATA’s service in the County?
The Authority would not directly impact WMATA service. The Authority would be the County’s representative in regional service coordination with WMATA. As the Rapid Transit System develops, there may be shifts in service between WMATA and the Authority, to be determined during the planning process for each corridor.
Q. Will Ride On change because of this?
Changes to Ride On routes would require evaluation by the Authority management, subject to a public review process.
Q. Do we need to change the existing Capital Improvement Program (CIP)?
Yes. The Authority will need to develop its own CIP for approval by its Board and the County Council. Transit projects in the County CIP will be moved to the Transit Authority CIP.
Q. What will happen to existing facilities and equipment?
Arrangements will need to be made to transfer facilities and equipment to the Authority or to give the Authority permission to use the facilities and equipment.
Q. Will fare payment still be regionally coordinated?
Specific decisions about future fare payment and fare media have not been made. Providing seamless transfers and reducing the complexity of fare programs will be an objective of future planning for the RTS. No immediate changes to Ride On fare policies are anticipated.
Q. What will happen to current contracts for materials and services?
The contracts will be evaluated on a case by case basis. Contracts may continue to be in effect for the remainder of their terms, they may be assigned to the Authority, or they may be terminated, as determined by the timing of the Authority and the terms of each contract.
Q. What authority does the County Council have over Authority actions?
The Authority will have some independence from the County Council as necessary for financial independence from the County for bonding and financial reasons. However, the Authority will remain accountable to the Council in terms of tax funding support, Board of Directors confirmations, and CIP approval.
Q. How will disagreements between the Authority and the County be handled?
In the event that the Authority and other County government agencies find themselves in conflict, it will be the responsibility of Authority management and County leadership to cooperatively resolve any disagreements.
Q. How will this agency report to the County?
On a day-to-day basis, the Authority will be independent from the County government. The County Executive and County Council will retain control of the composition of the Authority board, the tax revenues supporting the Authority and the Authority’s CIP.
Q. Will the Municipalities be part of the Authority?
The County Executive may nominate municipal representatives for the Transit Authority Board if s appropriate. The representatives would be subject to confirmation by the County Council. Additionally, the Authority will be able to enter into contracts with municipalities deemed beneficial and appropriate for meeting the Authority’s mission.
Q. Where will the Authority be located?
The Authority will need to establish a location. It is likely that the Authority will lease or occupy space currently managed or owned by the County.
Q. How will MCDOT support/interact with the Authority?
The Transit Authority will need to establish working relationships with appropriate staff within MCDOT to meet these needs of the many elements of the transit program that will continue to need involvement from MCDOT (pedestrian and bicycle access routes, traffic signal operations, etc.).
Q. How will the Planning Department (M-NCPPC) support/interact with the Authority?
The Transit Authority will use the County Master Plans as its guide for its CIP. It is anticipated that part of the County’s oversight of the Authority will including maintaining consistency between the Authority’s activities and the County’s established plans.
Q. How will Board Members be selected?
Board members will be appointed by the County Executive subject to confirmation by the County Council.
Q. What qualifications should Board Members have?
A majority of the Board Members should be property owners in Montgomery County, who pay the transit tax. Board Members should have some experience in business, or transit operations, financial management, planning, or engineering or be regular users of transit services.
Q. Will Board Members be paid?
Local enabling legislation will determine whether Board members will be compensated for their service.
Q. How will the Authority find its leadership and where will they come from?
Board Members will come from the leading figures in Montgomery County. Professional staff will be recruited from other transportation agencies and will demonstrate high levels of leadership and technical competence.
Q. How many people will work for the Authority?
This will ultimately be decided by the Authority and the transit program and operations they assume. Thought has been given to the areas that the Authority would need to address; but the specific number of people that would fill those roles has not yet been determined.
Q. What will happen to the transit operators and maintenance staff?
The current transit operators and maintenance staff will be held harmless as the proposed law is envisioned. The exact timing of transitioning County transit operations and maintenance to the Authority has not been determined. As things are currently conceived, as functions are transferred from the County to the Authority, the County will offer current employees the option of transferring to the Authority, retaining pay, accrued leave, health coverage, and retirement benefits. Employees who are currently members of a collective bargaining unit would retain the benefits of the Collective Bargain.
Q. What will happen to Ride On administrators?
The Authority will be responsible for the functions these professionals are providing. It is anticipated that there will be the opportunity for these administrators to transfer to the Authority.
Q. Will current employees retain their benefits and pension status?
Yes. The Authority will be required to honor current seniority, benefits, pensions and collective bargaining arrangements of transferred employees.
Q. How are accidents and other incidents handled?
The Authority will be responsible for all bus operations, including issues and accidents that occur during the use of their vehicles. The Authority will establish incident management policies and procedures to guide its response to these occurrences. These policies will be modeled on those already in place for Ride On.
Q. How will the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) and Montgomery County Fire Rescue Service (MCFRS) serve the Authority?
The Authority will rely on MCPD and MCFRS to provide any services outside of the Authority’s normal duties (enforcement of fare evasion, security services for agency property, etc.).
Q. How will Authority be insured?
The Authority will carry insurance to cover general liability, auto liability, protective liability, employee liability, property and terrorism, excess loss and builder’s risk. The authority could self-insure; purchase these policies through the insurance markets; or purchase insurance through the Montgomery County Self Insurance Program.
Q. Who will defend the Authority in legal proceedings?
The Authority could choose either to have separate legal counsel that will serve the needs of its Board or use the resources of the County Attorney’s Office.