Learn More About Transportation Options for Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities

A handy transportation resources fact sheet provides information on options available for older adults and those with disabilities: View fact sheet.

Now Available: Updated Transportation Directory for People with Disabilities and Seniors

The County's Commission on People with Disabilities and the Department of Transportation recently released an updated directory of useful transportation services to help County residents better coordinate their transportation needs. The guide can be used by anyone, although its emphasis is on people with disabilities and adults 50 and older.

The guide provides a comprehensive listing of public, private and non-profit transportation options in the Washington metropolitan region and the state of Maryland and beyond that includes travel alternatives to airports, escorted transportation and information on reduced fees on Metro. 

The guide is available on the County’s Department of Health and Human Services website and in hard copy by downloading the PDF version.

Reminder: Call-n-Ride Eligibility Age Has Been Reduced to 65

MCDOT’s Call-n-Ride program provides subsidized taxi trips for low-income persons with disabilities and seniors.  The eligibility age was recently reduced to those 65 and older. Learn more. 

New Respect the Space Campaign Focusing on Disability Parking Signs

Montgomery County’s continuing “Respect the Space” campaign has launched a new initiative to help ensure that the signage for disability parking spaces complies with legal standards.

All parking lot managers are encouraged to review the State of Maryland’s Accessibility Code, and then take the necessary steps to make their parking lot signs and striping compliant.

Montgomery County property managers, condominiums and homeowner’s associations can learn more about ADA parking compliance online.  Read more.

The Senior Connection Wins National Award; Senior Connection Seeking More Volunteer Drivers

The National Volunteer Transportation Center (NVTC), which recognizes outstanding volunteer transportation programs across the country, selected the Senior Connection as its Grand STAR Award winner. The Senior Connection is the largest provider of free, escorted transportation in Montgomery County and is seeking more volunteer drivers. It is supported in part by a contract with the Montgomery County Health and Human Services, Division of Aging and Disability.

The Senior Connection relies on volunteers and is looking for more volunteer drivers to escort senior clients to medical and other appointments.  Training and liability coverage are provided, and volunteers have flexibility to create their own schedules.

The trainings are held at the Senior Connection office located in the Holiday Park Senior Center, 3950 Ferrara Drive, Silver Spring. Sign up for a volunteer training session on one of the dates listed below:

• Wednesday, March 23 from 7-8:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 13 from 10-11:30 a.m.
• Wednesday, April 27 from 7-8:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 11 from 10-11:30 a.m.
• Wednesday, May 25 from 7-8:30 p.m.

Get a volunteer application online or contact volunteer@seniorconnectionmc.org for more information.

Go Montgomery - March 3, 2016

Leggett Announces Plans to Have BRT Operating in County Within Four Years On March 2, Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett outlined his plan to significantly improve transit options in the County and launch BRT service on US 29 within the next four years. Read more. Jewish Council for the Aging to Present Awards to MCDOT’s Sam Oji and Jeff Dunckel On March 11, Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) staff Sam Oji and Jeff Dunckel will be recognized by the Jewish Council on Aging (JCA) for their work in improving transportation options in Montgomery County for seniors and persons with disabilities. Read more.  Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett to be Keynote Speaker at the Transforming Communities Trash-Free Summit On March 22, Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett will be a keynote lunch speaker at the Transforming Communities Trash-Free Solutions for Healthy Lives, Clean Land, Safe Water Summit sponsored by the Alice Ferguson Foundation. The summit will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the University of Maryland College Park’s Riggs Alumni Center. Read more. Ride On Holds Customer Appreciation Day at the Medical Center Metrorail Station  Staff from the Montgomery County Department of Transportation’s (MCDOT) Commuter Services section distributed transit maps and reusable bags to customers in appreciation of their commitment to alternative transportation options.  MCDOT’s Division of Transportation Engineering Expects to Finish Installing Sidewalk along Needwood Road this Summer The Montgomery County Department of Transportation's (MCDOT) Division of Transportation Engineering is installing pervious concrete sidewalk along Needwood Road. The project to enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety in Rockville should be completed this summer. Read more. Nominations Sought for 2016 Golden Shovel Awards County Council President Nancy Floreen is calling for nominations for this year's SAFE (Sidewalks Are For Everyone) Golden Shovel awards to recognize residents who went above and beyond in helping clear ice and snow from sidewalks. Nominees must be County residents and recommended by another person. The awards will be presented at a County Council session in Rockville on Tuesday, April 19. Read more. The Division of Highway Services Hosts Delegation from Cheongju City, South Korea The Division of Highway Services hosted a delegation of their counterparts from Cheongju City, South Korea to discuss snow removal tactics and emergency operations. International groups from all across the globe have visited MCDOT’s world class facilities to learn more about the County's transportation system. Community Workshops Planned in March on Plans for Areas Near the MARC Rail Train Stations in Boyds and Germantown The Montgomery County Planning Department will be holding workshops to obtain community input on future plans for the areas around the Boyds and Germantown MARC train stations. Read more. Ride On Routes 34 and 70 are Detoured Due to Construction on Woodmont Avenue A construction project along Woodmont Avenue has required Ride On to change the location of two bus stops – one northbound and one southbound -- serving Ride On routes 34 and 70. The southbound bus stop near the intersection near Woodmont Avenue and Battery Lane was moved to Battery Lane. The northbound stop on Woodmont Avenue near Battery Lane was also moved to Battery Lane. These changes will be in effect until September 2017. MARCH 3, 2016 New Bikeshare Station Installed at Medical Center Metrorail Station A new Bikeshare station – the County’s 54th -- was installed on February 23 at Medical Center between the Metro station and the Kiss and Ride parking lot. The station features 10 bikes, with room for 19 bikes to dock. Read more. Written Comments Still Being Accepted on Proposal to Widen Goshen Road The public still has an opportunity to comment on a proposal to widen 3.5 miles of Goshen Road, from Girard Avenue to north of Warfield Road, from two lanes to four lanes, creating a divided highway that would include a five-foot sidewalk, an eight-foot hiker/biker path and on-road bike lanes. Read more. Monthly Parking Permits Available Online Monthly Parking Convenience Stickers (PCS permits) and the AM/PM monthly permits can be purchased online. Read more.

Go Montgomery is distributed by Montgomery County Government Department of Transportation.

County Offers Multi-Language Information and Referral Services for Seniors and Caregivers that Includes Transportation Options

The Aging & Disability Resource Unit (ADRU), part of the Department of Health and Human Services, provides personalized assistance, referrals to services and specific information to seniors, individuals with disabilities and caregivers by telephone and in-person.  Staff can help callers identify both County and community-based resources.  The Connect-A-Ride program provides information and referral for older adults and adults with disabilities about transportation options; including public, private and volunteer transportation services.  In addition, the program assists callers with applications for programs such as the Escorted Transportation Program, Call-n-Ride and Metro Access.  Language interpretation is available for both services. Read more.