A LIMITED STOP FASTER SERVICE BETWEEN LAKEFOREST TRANSIT CENTER AND THE MEDICAL CENTER METRO STATION
THE RIDE ON extRa or Route 101: Service began October 2, 2017
Check out the new Great Seneca Transit Network: Service began September 8, 2024
What is the "new" Great Seneca Ride On extRa service?
- A high frequency service featuring two routes between the Shady Grove Metro Station and the Great Seneca Life Sciences Center and the Universities at Shady Grove
- Pink Route: links the Shady Grove Road corridor with the Life Sciences Center via Medical Center Drive
- Lime Route: uses I-370 to provide an express route to RIO, Crown Farm, and the heart of the Great Seneca Life Sciences Center
- A limited stop faster service along parts of the current Routes 43, 63, and 66
- Weekday 15 minute frequency of service during peak rush hour periods
- Weekend 30 minute frequency of service
- Brand new and different buses with low floor boarding in 2025
- No loading of fare cards on buses
- Buses feature Free WiFi access, USB charging ports, information displays, and extra padding on seats in 2025
- Enhanced bus shelter provide weather protection, built-in lighting, bike rack, bench, real time information displays, and a totem marking the the stop location
- Regular Ride On fare
- Traffic signal priority for this service, i.e. traffic lights stay green as bus approaches resulting in faster service
- Connection to 30% of the transit services network including the MTA buses, Metrobus, Metrorail, and 26 Ride On routes
Great Seneca Transit Network (Ride On extRa) Testimonial Videos
- Rockville Mayor "Monique Ashton"
- Gaithersburg Mayor "Jud Ashman"
- Montgomery College Director of Public Safety "Adam Reid"
- Ted's Montana Grill Owner "Megan Williams"
- The Universities at Shady Grove Executive Director "Anne Khademian"
What is the "original" Ride On extRa service?
- A limited stop ( 13 stops versus 80 along the route) faster service along state Route 355. Stops include: Lakeforest Transit Center, Summit Ave., Westland Dr., Shady Grove Metro, Montgomery College, Rockville Metro, Edmonston Dr., Templeton Place, Halpine Rd., Marinelli Rd., Security Ln., Tuckerman Ln., and Medical Center Metro
- 20 minute frequency of service (starting September 27, 2020) during peak rush hour periods
- Brand new and different buses with low floor boarding
- No loading of fare cards on buses
- Buses feature Free WiFi access, USB charging ports, information displays, and extra padding on seats
- Runs only during peak periods - Monday-Friday, 5:25-9:30am and 3:25-7:30pm
- Regular Ride On fare
- Traffic signal priority for this service
- Connection to 50% of the transit services network including the MARC rail, MTA buses, Metrobus, Metrorail, and 44 Ride On routes
How to Prepare for the Ride On extRa
The service will only take SmarTrip cards, passes, tokens, and cash. THERE IS NO LOADING OF CASH/TOKENS ONTO A SMARTRIP CARD . YOU SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE ENOUGH FARE ON YOUR CARD OR USE CASH/TOKENS ON THESE BUSES. WWW.SMARTRIP.COM
What to Expect
The Ride On extRa service was implemented on October 2, 2017. Here is what to look for:
- Special Bus Shelters and Bus Stop Flag Signs. 17 bus shelters along the route were customized to promote the new service. These bus shelters are shared with other Ride On routes and Metrobus routes but will be the only stops (plus Metro stations) on this new service
- Ride On extRa service advertisements will be placed inside and outside buses, especially our buses in the northern region of the County.
Why is it the Route 101? This route overlays major portions of the Routes 46 and 55. 46 + 55 = 101
Connecting People and Places!
To realize a future for Montgomery County that includes a first-rate, multi-modal transportation system, MCDOT is expanding choices for all the users of our network. The Ride On extRa represents the second tier of bus service in a four tier plan: