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Council adopts fare-free policy for Ride On and other FY26 transportation fee changes; transit ambassador contract reduced on reconciliation list
Summary
Council approved the executive’s FY26 transportation fees resolution making Ride On buses fare-free and adopting a suite of parking and fare changes; a $250,000 contracted transit-ambassador item was placed on the reconciliation list for potential reduction.
The Montgomery County Council, following the Transportation and Environment Committee recommendation, approved the executive’s resolution on FY26 transportation fees, charges and fares, including a policy to make Ride On buses fare-free.
Committee and staff briefed members on the fiscal trade-offs. Staff said pre-pandemic Ride On fare revenue peaked around $20 million annually; revenue has fallen sharply since, and collection now yields under $2 million annually after collection costs. The capital investment required to replace fare collection equipment was estimated in the tens of millions of dollars; staff and the committee concluded that the near-term capital savings and policy objectives — including transit equity and improved access — justified moving to a fare-free Ride On system. The T&E Committee recommended supporting the executive’s resolution and the full council voted in favor without recorded opposition.
The adopted changes also included a $10-per-month parking permit for certain service providers and child care centers in parts of the county; elimination of daily maximum charges and lost-ticket fees in the Silver Spring Parking Lot District; and a simplification of monthly parking permit rates in Silver Spring to $195 or less across garages. Council members discussed regional implications, coordination with WMATA, and potential operational issues such as crowding and behavior on buses.
The committee had placed a $250,000 contract item for zero-fare “transit ambassadors” on the reconciliation list as a reduction; staff clarified that the ambassadors would be contracted, non‑enforcement personnel providing a visible presence to encourage appropriate behavior and provide customer assistance at key transit centers. Ambassadors were described as not having enforcement authority; staff indicated they would produce performance measures for the program if funded in reconciliation.
