Montgomery County Reminds Residents that Federal Regulations Continue to Require Face Coverings on Public Transportation—Including Taxis, Ride Sharing, Ride On, Ride On Extra and Flash Bus

Montgomery County Reminds Residents that Federal Regulations Continue to Require Face Coverings on Public Transportation—Including Taxis, Ride Sharing, Ride On, Ride On Extra and Flash Bus

Per Montgomery County:

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, May 19, 2021

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) reminds residents that Federal guidelines continue to require face coverings when traveling by public transportation. Local examples include County Ride On buses, Ride On extra, Flash, Metrobus, Metrorail and when taking taxis or on-demand car services. All MCDOT buses have a supply of face coverings for those who do not have their own. At this time, the Federal requirement is scheduled to remain in effect through Sept. 13.

New COVID-19 guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) relaxing mask requirements for vaccinated individuals does not apply to airplanes, buses, trains and other public transportation. The new CDC guidance on mask requirements also does not apply to health care settings or where State or local restrictions still require masks.

All Ride On, Ride On extRa, and Flash buses remain free to all passengers through at least June 30. Fees were suspended during the health crisis.

MCDOT provides free special Ride On shuttle bus service between the Montgomery College Germantown Campus mass vaccination site and the Shady Grove Metro Station. The shuttle service is marked “Vaccine Shuttle” and operates Monday through Friday every 30 minutes between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. from Bay H on the east side of the Shady Grove Metro Station. Pick-ups and drop-offs at the Germantown campus are in front of the Bioscience Education Center (see map). Saturday travel between the two sites is available on the Ride On Route 55.

Social distancing continues to be strongly recommended on board the buses and trains and at bus stops and shelters. Riders are asked to make their best effort to maintain maximum physical distance between themselves and other riders who are not from the same household.

Bus interiors continue to be cleaned by the County’s Department of General Services twice daily with hospital-grade disinfectant. Bus filter and ventilation systems also are treated each night with a disinfectant.

For the most up-to-date service information, riders should follow @RideOnMCT on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. In addition, information is available at rideonbus.com or by subscribing to “Ride On Services” email alerts. Riders also can receive text alerts by texting MONTGOMERY RIDEON to 468311.

For department updates, follow @MCDOTNow on Twitter, visit the department website at montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, subscribe to MCDOT news releases or subscribe to MCDOT’s ‘Go Montgomery!’ newsletter.