What is the "new" Great Seneca Ride On extRa service?
A high frequency service featuring two routes between the Shady Grove Metro Station and the Great Seneca Life Sciences Center and the Universities at Shady Grove
Pink Route: links the Shady Grove Road corridor with the Life Sciences Center via Medical Center Drive
Lime Route: uses I-370 to provide an express route to RIO, Crown Farm, and the heart of the Great Seneca Life Sciences Center
A limited stop faster service along parts of the current Routes 43, 63, and 66
Weekday 15 minute frequency of serviceduring peak rush hour periods
Weekend 30 minute frequency of service
Brand new and different buses with low floor boarding in 2025
No loading of fare cards on buses
Buses feature Free WiFi access, USB charging ports, information displays, and extra padding on seats in 2025
Enhanced bus shelter provide weather protection, built-in lighting, bike rack, bench, real time information displays, and a totem marking the the stop location
Regular Ride On fare
Traffic signal priority for this service, i.e. traffic lights stay green as bus approaches resulting in faster service
Connection to 30% of the transit services network including the MTA buses, Metrobus, Metrorail, and 26 Ride On routes
What is the "original" Ride On extRa service?
A limited stop ( 13 stops versus 80 along the route) faster service along state Route 355. Stops include: Lakeforest Transit Center, Summit Ave., Westland Dr., Shady Grove Metro, Montgomery College, Rockville Metro, Edmonston Dr., Templeton Place, Halpine Rd., Marinelli Rd., Security Ln., Tuckerman Ln., and Medical Center Metro
20 minute frequency of service(starting September 27, 2020) during peak rush hour periods
Brand new and different buses with low floor boarding
No loading of fare cards on buses
Buses feature Free WiFi access, USB charging ports, information displays, and extra padding on seats
Runs only during peak periods - Monday-Friday, 5:25-9:30am and 3:25-7:30pm
Regular Ride On fare
Traffic signal priority for this service
Connection to 50% of the transit services network including the MARC rail, MTA buses, Metrobus, Metrorail, and 44 Ride On routes
How to Prepare for the Ride On extRa
The service will only take SmarTrip cards, passes, tokens, and cash. THERE IS NO LOADING OF CASH/TOKENS ONTO A SMARTRIP CARD. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE ENOUGH FARE ON YOUR CARD OR USE CASH/TOKENS ON THESE BUSES. WWW.SMARTRIP.COM
What to Expect
The Ride On extRa service was implemented on October 2, 2017. Here is what to look for:
Special Bus Shelters and Bus Stop Flag Signs. 17 bus shelters along the route were customized to promote the new service. These bus shelters are shared with other Ride On routes and Metrobus routes but will be the only stops (plus Metro stations) on this new service
Ride On extRa service advertisements will be placed inside and outside buses, especially our buses in the northern region of the County.
Why is it the Route 101? This route overlays major portions of the Routes 46 and 55. 46 + 55 = 101
Connecting People and Places!
To realize a future for Montgomery County that includes a first-rate, multi-modal transportation system, MCDOT is expanding choices for all the users of our network. The Ride On extRa represents the second tier of bus service in a four tier plan: