Transportation Changes, Updates and Resources for COVID-19
Updated September 9, 2020
Affected services
- Ride On Bus Service
- Parking
- Call-n-Ride
- Commuter Services
- Residential Street Sweeping
- Shared Micromobility / Bikeshare
- Shared Streets
- Taxis
Ride On Bus Service
- Service Expands on August 2 - All 79 Routes.
- 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.
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 open. See Mobile Commuter Store schedule.
Residential Street Sweeping
Street sweeping has been suspended.
Shared Micromobility / Bikeshare
See more bikeshare, e-bike, and e-scooter information
- Bird offers free electric scooter rides to healthcare workers and emergency personnel. To sign up, email a copy of your medical identification card, your name and phone number to together@bird.co. Eligible riders will receive two free 30-minute rides per day. See more Bird program details.
- Lime’s program “Lime Aid” provides free, 30-minute rides for medical personnel, first responders and other essential workers. See "Lime Aid" details.
- Through Summer 2020, Spin's "Everyday Heros" program is providing free 30-minute rides to the essential workers. You are eligible to apply if you live in the Washington D.C. metro area and work in the healthcare, public transit, or food service industries. See "Everyday Heros" program details.
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
