Hello! My name is Sophia Strandberg, and I am a rising
senior at Barnard College studying Urban Studies and Environmental Science. I
was raised in Montgomery County, and I am very excited to be a Climate Intern
for the Office of the County Executive for this summer! As a bus rider, I am
going to share why using public transportation helps combat climate change.
In Montgomery County, transportation is the largest
contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, at 46% of communitywide emissions.
Most residents rely on private cars as their primary mode of travel for work,
school, errands, and other daily activities. It is understandable that many
people prefer driving: it often feels faster, more convenient, and more
comfortable in extreme weather. However, a single bus can carry as many people
as over
30 cars. Although driving may seem quicker, widespread car use
leads to congestion, ultimately slowing everyone’s commute.
Many misconceptions exist about buses, particularly
regarding safety and reliability. Some people I have spoken to in Montgomery
County associate buses and crime. However, data shows that car travel has a 23–66%
higher fatality rate than bus travel. Additionally, crime
statistics indicate that transit travel has lower overall crime
rates than automobile travel, though the most common
crimes differ. While crime can occur on buses, as it can anywhere, there are
many steps individual bus riders can take to increase their security.
Another common belief is that buses are unreliable or
inconvenient. Although the bus is more accessible in some areas of the County
than others, most residents live within
close proximity to a bus stop. Montgomery County buses run
every 7-20
minutes, depending on the time of day and the bus line, while Ride
on Flex buses run on demand, and can be scheduled to pick up at any time during
the day.
Speaking from personal experience, buses are an easy,
reliable, and now fare‑free way to travel around the County. Since 2025,
all Ride-On MCDOT buses do not
cost money to ride. Choosing to ride the bus over a car saves
money, helps the environment, and benefits the community. Taking the bus to
school, practice, or a friend’s house can also help children build
responsibility and independence, while making life easier for parents. An
increase in bus ridership in the County will decrease emissions and traffic,
making Montgomery County safer and healthier for everyone.
MCDOT has implemented a free-fare policy for all Ride
On, Ride On extRa,
Ride On Flex,
and Flash buses.
For more information on MCDOT's Ride On routes and services, visit RideOnBus.com or download the free Ride On Trip Planner app.
For the most up-to-date bus service information, riders
should follow @RideOnMCT on X, Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. In addition, information is available at rideonbus.com,
by subscribing to receive email alerts or by texting MONTGOMERY RIDEON to 62463 to
receive text alerts. Message and Data rates may apply. Message frequency
varies. Reply HELP for help or contact support@granicus.com, reply STOP to
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