Saturday, May 11, 2013
A depot for county buses in Silver Spring is irksome to some neighbors and may be violating the county's own rules.
The constant hum of Ride On buses idling—powered on, but not driving anywhere—is just plain annoying to some of the Silver Spring residents who live near the county's vehicle depot, a special report from WTOP claims. Furthermore, the buses may be idling too often and for too long, in violation of the county's own rules about minimizing bus idling that may emit noxious fumes. County rules say buses shouldn't be left on for more than three minutes. A reporter with WTOP took video and observed the buses routinely being left on for longer than the mandated time limit. (Watch the video, here.) Montgomery County officials responded to the report Thursday with a statement claiming that the buses have to be turned on for any number of …
Monday, July 30, 2012
Seventh bus fire since 2009 prompts replacement of 28 buses.
Although no one was injured in the July 18 fire that broke out on an out-of-service bus in Silver Spring, the incident was the seventh on a Ride On bus since September of 2009 and has spurred the county to replace a total of 28 buses, according to The Washington Post. While the county has already taken several Champion and Navistart buses off the road and had planned to remove those buses from its fleet by the end of August, the latest incident caused the county to accelerate those plans, according to the Post. The county has reportedly ordered 28 buses from the Gillig Company of Hayward, CA, for $12.3 million. The buses will not be delivered until early 2013, so the county has acquired 30 refurbished Metrobuses to bolster the depleted …
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Ride On will operate on a reduced service schedule Thursday and Friday.
After yet another Ride On bus fire, Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett has ordered the 26 remaining Ride On "Champion" buses permanently removed from service. The most recent fire occurred Wednesday at Bonifant Street and Ramsey Avenue in downtown Silver Spring, NBC reported. It was the second this month and the seventh in three years. Ride On will operate on a reduced schedule Thursday and Friday, as it does on holidays. All routes will have service, but buses will run less frequently. There are three changes to the posted holiday schedule for Thursday and Friday: Will you be taking Ride On Thursday and Friday? Tell us in the comments.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Both Ride On buses and Metrorail fares will increase beginning July 1.
The cost of public transit in the metro area will rise this Sunday, July 1. The cost of a Ride On cash fare or token will increase to $1.80, and a fare paid with SmarTrip Card will increase to $1.60. A Ride On monthly pass will increase to $45. WMATA will begin charging customers a $1 surcharge for using a paper farecard on July 1. The peak-of-the-peak surcharge of 20 cents per trip will be eliminated. Other fares will also increase: For other changes to transportation fares, see the Montgomery County Department of Transportation website. What do you think of these fare hikes? Not that big of a deal, or a major change to your budget?
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
A woman was struck by a Ride On bus at East-West Highway and Grubb Road on Tuesday evening.
Update (Tuesday, March 6, at 8:45 p.m.): The injured pedestrian, a 28-year-old woman, was transported to an area hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries, according to a Montgomery County Police Department media spokeswoman. All roadways have been re-opened. The cause of the incident is still under investigation. Original post (Tuesday, March 6, at 7:45 p.m.): A pedestrian was struck by a Ride On bus at the intersection of East-West Highway and Grubb Road at around 7 p.m. Tuesday, according to a Montgomery County Police Department media spokeswoman. Paramedics are on the scene of the incident and are administering medical care to the injured pedestrian. Expect traffic delays in the area, and stay tuned to Patch for more …
Fortune McLemore
7:54 am on Wednesday, March 7, 2012
I love Silver Spring, but it's pedestrian hell. How do I know? I've been hit by a car here. It happened in1994 at the intersection of Georgia Avenue and Bonifant Street, between Bombay Gaylord and the bank. I had the light, but so did the guy who was left off Georgia. And he was speeding. That intersection needs a green arrow light. more ›