Transportation Options Available In Montgomery During Pandemic

BETHESDA, MD — Montgomery County transportation and health officials have compiled a list of transportation resources for residents — but particularly for adults over 50 and people with disabilities — during the coronavirus pandemic.

The information, which could be found here, will continually be updated.

Gov. Larry Hogan issued a directive on March 23 asking residents to use transit and travel only for essential purposes. Priority passengers include emergency personnel, health care workers, and people whose jobs are critical to the supply chain.

Essential passengers, adults over 50, and people with disabilities who must use public transportation during this time can choose from a number of transportation options.

Ride On

Ride On bus service is operating on special weekday and weekend schedules. Riders should give themselves extra time to get to their destinations and anticipate delays.

There is no fare to ride this bus during the coronavirus pandemic. However, riders must board at the rear of the bus (unless a ramp is needed to board).

Here's what else county officials want residents to know about Ride On bus service:

• Bus interiors are cleaned every night with hospital grade disinfectant. Bus filter and ventilation systems are treated each night with a disinfectant.
• Some routes are not operating, including the Ride On Flex, Ride On extRa (Route 101) and Routes 11, 28, and 129. For details go to https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DOT-Transit/special-plan.html
• Ride On real time information shows bus locations in real time, but not estimated arrival times or which routes the buses are serving. The maps can be used to see when a bus is approaching a stop. Information is available at https://rideon.app/busmap
• Call 311 if you have questions about trips that are available.

Metrobus and Metrorail

WMATA is limiting service to essential trips through at least March 27. For more details, visit www.wmata.com. Service is free during the health crisis. And riders must board through the rear doors unless a ramp is needed to board.

MetroAccess

MetroAccess — a shared ride door-to-door service for people with disabilities — is offering its regular weekday schedule to certified customers who have no signs of illness.

Here's some more information, per county officials:

• Details on MetroAccess is available by calling 301-562-5360 or going to its website at https://www.wmata.com/service/accessibility/metro-access/.
• Subscription trips are still being placed on the schedule, but through the end of March, riders with subscription trips are asked to call MetroAccess to confirm their need for the trip.
• Applications for new customers are being reviewed. Some customers may be presumed eligible while others may be given temporary eligibility until it is possible to resume functional assessments.
• Customers in need of recertification will be given automatic extensions until the end of May.
• Some MetroAccess trips may be provided by taxi services through the Abilities Ride program. Trips provided through the Abilities-Ride program are free.

Call-n-Ride Discounted Taxi

This service is reserved for low-income adults 65 and older and adults with disabilities.

Officials also say:

• Participating companies include Action, Orange and Regency/Barwood.

• Program participants can schedule trips by calling 301-948-5409.

• For additional information, including how to apply for program participation, call from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Taxi

Taxi services include:

• Action Taxi: 301-840-1000.
• Anytime Taxi: 301-637-9292 or https://anytimeuniontaxi.com/index.html
• Orange: 301-912-0000 or http://www.orangetaxi-md.com/
• Regency/Barwood: 301-990-9000 or http://regencytaxi.com/

Escorted Transportation

This service is available to those who require an escort due to a disability. Escorted transportation is for essential medical appointments. Customers contribute to charges based on income level.

Call Connect-A-Ride at 301-738-3252 for information and to apply.

Volunteer Transportation

Some organizations are providing rides for vital purposes (i.e., going to medical appointments or getting groceries).

Call the The Senior Connection at 301-962-0820 or visit seniorconnectionmc.org.

Medicaid Transportation

The service is available for some Medicaid-covered, medically essential appointments. The program will only schedule and provide those trips if a clinician calls to request a patient be transported for service.

For information or service, call 240-777-5890.

Connect-A-Ride

Connect-A-Ride offers free information and support about public and private transportation options for adults over 50 and adults with disabilities.

Call 301-738-3252 for more information.