The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is supporting access to STEM career training by providing fare-free Ride On bus service for students participating in Learning Undefeated’s Emerging Leaders program.
According to MCDOT, the nonprofit offers advanced science coursework, hands-on lab experience, and career counseling to high school and college students, with more than 200 Montgomery County students participating since 2021. County officials say eliminating Ride On fares in June 2025 and expanding transit options, including free Youth Cruiser SmarTrip cards for students, has helped remove transportation barriers for participants traveling to labs at Montgomery College and to biotechnology employers throughout the county.
The program aligns with Montgomery County’s broader efforts to grow its life sciences workforce and expand equitable access to career pathways. Through partnerships with companies such as AstraZeneca and Regenexbio, and transit connections provided by the Great Seneca Transit Network’s Pink and Lime routes, students are able to attend training, mentoring, and networking opportunities without relying on private vehicles. County transportation officials say the expanded transit network, including express routes and bus priority improvements, is intended to connect residents to education and employment centers across the county.
