Transportation Changes, Updates and Resources for COVID-19
Updated June 7, 2020
Affected services
- Ride On Bus Service
- Parking
- Bikeshare
- Call-n-Ride
- Commuter Services
- Residential Street Sweeping
- Shared Micromobility
- Shared Streets
- Taxis
Ride On Bus Service
- Operating Essential Plus Service.
- Real time arrival information is not available by specific routes, but real time bus locations can be viewed using the map at: https://rideon.app/busmap
- You can use the map to see if a bus is approaching your stop.
- Free fares on all buses.
- Board in rear unless ramp required.
- To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, face coverings are required.
Parking
- Current parking restrictions. Restricciones Temporales de Estacionamiento.
- Most parking restrictions and payment requirements remain in effect.
- Free temporary parking at these locations:
- Bethesda: Garage 36 - Auburn-Del Ray Garage (4910 Auburn Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814, Entrances: Del Ray Ave and Auburn Ave)
- Silver Spring: Garage 5/55 - Bonifant-Dixon Garage (1101 Bonifant Dr, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Entrances: Bonifant Street and Dixon Avenue)
- Wheaton: Lot 17 - Price-Fern Lot (2320 Price Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20902, Entrances: Price Avenue)
- Enforcement suspended in Residential Parking Permit areas.
- See new curbside food pickup zones with free, 15 minute parking. And use MoCo Eats To-Go Guide to find restaurants that are open for business.
- Parking sales offices hours have been reduced to 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays only. Please buy parking permits online or call 240-777-8744 (Silver Spring) or 240-777-8770 (Bethesda) if possible to minimize in-person activity.
- While Maryland's stay-at-home order is in effect, MCDOT parking customers with Parking Convenience Stickers (PCS) permits may request refunds.
- Initiate a refund by phone at 240-777-8744 or 240-777-8770, or in person at the parking sales offices during hours of operations detailed above.
- A full refund will be issued for refund requests made before the 10th of the month, with prorated refunds thereafter.
- Permit stickers must be returned in person or by mail to receive the refund.
- As of May 18, MobileNOW! has ceased operations and is no longer an option for a parking payment app. Parkmobile remains an app-based option that supports contactless and remote payments.
- The MobileNOW! app has been deactivated, but previous customers can still log in at www.mobile-now.us to retrieve account history or to seek refunds of account balances.
Bikeshare
Capital Bikeshare is offering free 30-day memberships to essential businesses and their employees through May 31, 2020. See Capital Bikeshare Essential Workers Program details.
Call-N-Ride
Until the end of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Call-n-Ride taxicab companies can assist program participants with pick-up from grocery stores, food banks or restaurants and a contactless delivery to participants’ residence. See Essential Delivery Service details.
Commuter Services
Silver Spring TRiPS Commuter Store hours:
- Monday through Friday: 6:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 7:00 am to 4:00 pm
The Mobile Commuter Store is closed.
Residential Street Sweeping
Street sweeping has been suspended.
Shared Micromobility
See more bikeshare, e-bike, and e-scooter information
- Capital Bikeshare and Lyft Electric Scooters offering free 30-day memberships for essential workers. Interested employers and employees should email HeroBikes@Lyft.com a request to enroll. Learn more about free memberships.
- Capital Bikeshare single trip fee reduced from $2 to $1 to support essential trips for all users.
- Download the Capital Bikeshare mobile app.
Shared Streets
Safe and accessible public spaces are a critical aspect of community health and vibrancy. MCDOT understands that our public rights of way are a key resource for residents and businesses, and that the best use of those spaces may shift under changing circumstances.
In response to the COVID-19 health crisis, we are thinking creatively about how we can adjust the use of our streets, sidewalks, and parking facilities to best serve today’s needs. As a result, we are implementing a new initiative—Shared Streets.
Learn more about MCDOT Shared Streets
