New On-Demand Transit Service Costs Less Than A Cup Of Coffee

ROCKVILLE, MD — Montgomery County has launched a mobile application that will power the region's first on-demand microtransit service, government officials announced in June.

The app — called Ride On Flex — is an on-demand transit pilot program that runs in designated areas. The service first became available on June 26. You can download Ride On Flex from the Apple or Google Store now.

With Ride On Flex, people can use the app to request trips from a designated pick up location to a drop off location within the same zone. As of now, the on-demand microtransit service will operate within Rockville and Glenmont/Wheaton.

An 11-passenger bus, equipped with free WiFi, provides service within these designated zones during regular service hours.

Hours of Operation

• Rockville zone: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Glenmont/Wheaton zone: 6 to 9 a.m.; 3:30 to 7 p.m.

To learn more about the pre-defined geographical zones, click here.

Like all popular ride-sharing apps, such as Uber and Lyft, Ride On Flex provides riders with an estimated time for pick up and drop off.

Via, one of the on-demand ride-share companies, has partnered with the county's Department of Transportation in order to offer this service for residents.

"Via is thrilled to partner with MCDOT to provide residents with a convenient, affordable, and congestion-reducing transportation alternative," said Daniel Ramot, CEO and co-founder of Via. "Via's powerful passenger matching and vehicle routing algorithm will enable multiple riders to seamlessly share the vehicle. This technology makes for quick and efficient shared trips without lengthy detours, or inconvenient fixed routes and schedules."

With Ride On Flex, there are no fixed stops or schedules. Just make sure you're within the zone and are booking a ride during regular service hours. The cost to ride Flex is no more than $2 (the standard Ride On fare).

According to government officials, the on-demand pilot program is the first of its kind in Montgomery County.

"We're excited to be one step closer to launch of this innovative service," said MCDOT Director Al Roshdieh. "Flex will begin to reshape the way residents think about getting around in the served areas."