Taking public
transportation during winter is a great alternative to avoid the hassle of driving in poor
weather conditions. Our valued customers can count on Ride On to be safe and reliable, getting
you to your destination while you stay warm and relaxed in our
buses.
The safety of our
customers continues to be our top priority. Here are seven safety tips we
recommend you take while riding with us during the Winter weather:
- Plan for extra time in your
commute. Winter weather conditions
such as snow and ice may cause delays to the bus schedule. Planning extra
time may ensure that even with the delays, you can get to your destination
on time.
- Dress
accordingly. Be
prepared to wait extra time for the bus to arrive. As a result, what you
wear is crucial to staying warm while waiting on the bus or walking to
your destination.
- Consider
getting a virtual SmarTrip Card. Our
hands tend to suffer the most during the Winter weather because they are
usually exposed due to activity. With a virtual SmarTrip card, you can
simply use your phone to pay for fares while still wearing your gloves. It
also saves you time looking for the physical card while staying
contactless during this time. The virtual SmarTrip card is available for
iOS and Android.
- Be
Visible. It gets dark
early so be sure to make yourself visible to an approaching bus. Hold a
flashlight or use your cell phone’s light so that the bus operator can see
you at the stop. If possible, wear reflective apparel or safety items
(bands, pins) for more visibility on your coat or clothing.
- Stand
clear from the curb. Standing
close to the curb is dangerous especially during inclement weather. Buses
may slide on snow as they approach the curb. Be sure to stand clear from
the curb until the bus comes to a complete stop and is ready for
boarding. NEVER stand in the street.
- Be
careful when boarding and stepping off the bus. Wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before
trying to board. Bus steps can become slippery from snow. Try to clean the
snow off your shoes before boarding. Be sure to always use the handrails
while getting on or off the bus and take your time.
- Use
our Trip Planning App. Plan
your trip, check bus arrival times, and get alerts when your stop is
approaching with the new Ride On Trip Planner app. The app is available
for download for iOS and Android devices, and in a desktop version.
Download the app here.
Ride On bus fare is only $1 and monthly passes
are $22.50 using SmarTrip, cash, or tokens. Seniors age 65 or older, persons with disabilities and youth ages 18 and under all ride free
using specialized SmartTrip cards.
Riders can plan
trips online using the free Ride On Trip Planner App.
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, by subscribing to receive email alerts, or
by texting MONTGOMERY RIDEON to 468311 to receive text alerts.
For information on
MCDOT programs and services visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, follow @MCDOTNow
on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and subscribe to MCDOT’s “Go Montgomery!”
newsletter.
