The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) received five Achievement Awards for 2026 from the National Association of Counties (NACo) annual recognition program, which honors outstanding county government programs and services.
The
winning entries recognize initiatives that work to enhance the local community
and improve government services and processes.
“An efficient transportation network is the backbone of a thriving, climate-resilient community and helps drive economic mobility,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “When we optimize our internal systems and collaborate with the community we serve, we advance public transit in a more meaningful way. We are saving people time and cutting emissions, which helps everyone. We are enhancing the daily quality of life for all residents.”
MCDOT’s five awards were for the following programs under three separate categories: Transportation, Information Technology, and County Resiliency: Infrastructure, Energy, and Sustainability.
Awards received under the Transportation category:
·
New
Flex Zone 918
Launched
February 2, 2026, Flex Zone 918 is a strategic response to the discontinuation
of Metrobus Z2 along the New Hampshire Avenue corridor. This zero-fare,
peak-period, on-demand service operates within a defined service area including
Ednor, Sandy Spring, Norwood, Cloverly, and New Hampshire Avenue between Route
108 and the White Oak Transit Center, providing seamless connections to Ride
On, Flash Bus Rapid Transit, Metrobus, and Metrorail. Riders reserve trips via
mobile app or a call center, with real-time vehicle tracking and accessible
curbside service for riders with disabilities.
Flex 918 reflects Montgomery County’s commitment to restoring equitable transit access while modernizing service delivery through innovative, fiscally responsible transportation solutions.
·
Transit
Advisory Group (TAG)
The
Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) Transit Advisory Group
(TAG) is a community-centered advisory body that strengthens transparency,
equity, and public engagement in local transit planning. TAG brings together
residents, community advocates, and transit stakeholders to provide structured
input on Ride On bus service, Flex on-demand zones, Flash BRT corridors, and
system-wide policy decisions. The program was created to ensure that transit
planning reflects the lived experiences of riders, particularly seniors, people
with disabilities, low-income residents, and historically underserved
communities.
Through quarterly meetings, data sharing, service updates, and direct engagement with leadership, TAG has improved communication between government and riders, influenced service adjustments, and enhanced public trust. Outcomes include stronger equity-based decision-making, increased awareness of service changes, and actionable feedback integrated into service planning and communication strategies.
·
Ride
On Zero Fare Policy
Starting
June 29, 2025, Montgomery County’s Ride On bus system implemented zero fare.
The policy impacts all Ride On buses including Ride On, Ride On extRa,
Ride On Flex, and Flash buses.
Ride
On’s zero-fare transit policy removes passenger fares from all public
transportation services, allowing riders to access buses at no direct cost. The
core objective of this policy is to improve mobility access, particularly for
low-income and transit-dependent populations, while advancing broader goals
such as social equity, environmental sustainability, and economic
participation. By eliminating fares, we aim to reduce financial barriers that
limit ridership and discourage public transportation use.
Beyond affordability, Ride On’s zero-fare policy eliminates fare collection, reducing boarding times and eliminating fare enforcement-related conflicts. The policy is often framed as both a social justice measure and a climate strategy, encouraging a shift away from private vehicle use and contributing to reduced traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions.
Award received under the County Resiliency: Infrastructure, Energy, and Sustainability category:
·
Auth
Lane Pedestrian Bridge Project
The MCDOT-constructed Auth Lane Pedestrian Bridge in the Kemp Mill neighborhood replaced a hazardous stream crossing with a safe, accessible fiber-reinforced polymer bridge. The former steep, erosion-prone path was frequently flooded, limiting access for older adults and families. MCDOT delivered a community-supported, low-cost bridge design using in-house construction, completing the project for a fraction of the cost and time associated with typical bridge construction. With broad public support, the new bridge now offers a durable year-round connection to nearby homes, parks, shops, and places of worship.
Awards received under the Information Technology category:
·
Precise
3D Survey and Engineering of Transportation Infrastructure Pilot
The Precise 3D Survey
and Engineering of Transportation Infrastructure (P3DSETI) Pilot modernizes how
MCDOT documents, analyzes, and shares transportation infrastructure data by
replacing time-intensive site surveys with high-accuracy 3D digital scans. This advanced digital
approach enhances planning, safety, legal documentation, and interagency
collaboration while significantly reducing delays, time, and errors. Supported
by federal incentives and an upcoming $1 million FHWA grant, the system
empowers engineers with fast, secure, survey-grade data accessible across devices. The
scalable, agency-owned platform uniquely delivers end-to-end data control and operational efficiency while strengthening project delivery processes.
Additionally,
MCDOT worked with the County Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions (TEBS)
department, which also received an achievement award for the MCDOT
GIS HubSite under the Information Technology
category.
“Transportation
is about building safe, interconnected communities where every resident can
travel confidently and can be part of the solution,” said MCDOT Director Chris
Conklin. “By continually optimizing our internal processes and prioritizing
resident safety and connectivity, we are not just moving people. We are working
harder for every member of our community to further equitable, safe, and
reliable access to jobs, education, and each other."
Montgomery
County earned 39 NACo Achievement Awards in 2026.
The
list of all national winners can be seen at the National Association of
Counties NACo Achievement Award Winners website.
