Montgomery County Transit Services for Federal Workers Returning to Office

Federal employees returning to in-person work can take advantage of accessible and convenient transit services from the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT). MCDOT Ride On buses service Federal work locations across Montgomery County and larger transit hubs to facilitate travel into Washington, D.C. Additionally, passengers who ride Metro buses or rail receive a free same-day transfer to Ride On buses.  

“For those looking for commuting solutions, the good news is that the region is better connected than ever before, and in Montgomery County, public transit is affordable with a fare of $1 for all MCDOT Ride On buses,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “MCDOT has steadily increased bus service over the last few years, with faster, high-frequency bus service that uses sections of dedicated bus lanes and traffic signal priority to reduce congestion impacts on bus speed.”  

Public transportation ridership in Montgomery County has been steadily growing since the pandemic. 

“Ride On has a growing ridership, with weekday ridership up to 58,000 in 2024 from 46,000 in 2023,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “The County hosts quite a few federal institutions and the hope is that employees returning to worksites will give transit a try and keep this momentum moving in a positive direction.”

In addition, MCDOT and other County agencies have been working with Federal agencies to expand parking availably near select Federal installations.  

List of Bus Routes Near Major Federal Offices Within Montgomery County: 

• National Institutes of Health (NIH), 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda. Ride On boardings at the Medical Center Metro bus loop – 30, 33, 34, 46, 70, 101.  The Metro Red Line and Metrobus Routes J1 and J2 service this location. MTA Commuter Bus 203 is also available at this location. 

• Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8901 Rockville Pike, Bethesda. Ride On boardings at the Medical Center Metro bus loop – 30, 33, 34, 46, 70, 101.  The Metro Red Line and Metrobus Routes J1 and J2 service this location. MTA Commuter Bus 203 is also available at this location. 

• Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 10903 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring. Ride On bus route 10 boards on New Hampshire Avenue; Bus route 22 boards at FDA entrance bus loop; Flash boards to the left of the FDA bus loop – 10, 22 and Flash. Metrobus Routes K6, K9 and C8 are also available near the FDA Campus. MTA Commuter Bus 203 and 204 are also available at this location.  

• Department of Energy Campus, 19901 Germantown Road, Germantown. Ride On bus route 83 boards at Germantown Transit Center, Century Boulevard (Bus Stop Id. 15012 / Bay F). All other Ride On bus routes board on GTC Aircraft Drive – 55, 61,74, 75, 83.