Students Can Ride County Buses for Free with Youth Cruiser Card

Per Montgomery County: Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is encouraging youth to take advantage of the free Youth Cruiser cards being made available at area schools and libraries. Youth Cruiser cards offer free bus fare for all MCDOT Ride On buses and most Metro buses operating in the County. The Youth Cruiser SmarTrip® card is for County residents ages 5-18 (older if still in high school). It can be used for free rides on all County Ride On buses, including Ride On extRaRide On Flex and Flash. The card will waive fares on most Metro buses operating in the County. Value can be added to the card for service on Metrorail and Metrobuses operating outside of the County.

“MCDOT has been operating the Kids Ride Free Program since 2019,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “Students with the Youth Cruiser card can tap their card on the farebox, and they will not be charged the current $1 fare. Buses are a safe and environmentally friendly travel alternative for anyone that needs to get around Montgomery County. This year, we launched a new app, Ride On Trip Planner, which is a free and intuitive, regional trip planner that makes finding the fastest public transit route easy.”

The Ride On Trip Planner can be downloaded for regional trip planning including Ride On, Metrorail and Metrobus, Bikeshare and scooters. The app is free and provides live updates and shortest routes. Download from the Apple App store or Google Play.

Bicycles can be mounted on the front of all Ride On buses or taken abord the Flash bus currently operating on US 29/Columbia Pike.

If schools are interested in being a Youth Cruiser card provider, they can contact Coletta Mercado at MCDOT by email at [email protected] or by calling 240-777-5935 to get the cards free of cost.

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FEST OF SPRING Caribbean Wine Food & Music Festival

Get ready to experience the vibrant colors, tantalizing flavors, and infectious rhythms of the Caribbean at the FEST OF SPRING Caribbean Wine Food & Music Festival! Hosted by RHU LLC, this exciting festival is set to take place on May 18, 2024, at the picturesque 16700 Barnesville Rd in Boyds, MD.

Step into a world where the Caribbean spirit comes alive! From 12:00 PM onwards, immerse yourself in a sensory journey that celebrates the unique culture, cuisine, and music of the Caribbean. Whether you’re an African American, a Reggae or Soca music enthusiast, a wine lover, or part of the vibrant Caribbean diaspora, this festival promises to delight and captivate you in every way.

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