Ride On News

[NewFlyer9736BCT]

-As some of you may know we had some interesting bus moves since the new Gilligs rolled in. All of the remaining 1990-1992 Orion I's (5501,5502,5523,5529,5537) and 1993 Orion V (5546) have made there new home at Nicholson Court. 1997 Gillig Phantoms 5400 & 5401 which are training buses are temporarily at Nicholson.

Are the O1's still being used on a regular basis?

I know you're not asking me, but yes...it is often I see Orion Is on the 45 so yes, they are used regularly

[WMATAGMOAGH]

I took a class at Glen Echo about 5 or 6 years ago and as a result, I've been getting email from them ever since.  I just got this from them.  My question is how many visitors to and from Glen Echo Park actually take the bus there and how many drive? 

Dear students and friends of Glen Echo Park,

In an effort to cut costs for FY 2010, Montgomery County is considering discontinuing the Saturday service of Route 29 (Friendship Heights to Glen Echo and back). The County is having a hearing on the
possible cuts in Ride-on bus service on Tuesday, March 24, starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Terrace Level, 101 Monroe Street, Rockville, MD. Details

This action, if passed, would result in no public transportation to Glen Echo Park on Saturdays from Friendship Heights, which is the nearest Metro hub. This would also affect patrons who wish to visit the Park from other places via Metro to Ride-On.

For current details on the Route 29 map, click here. 

Please consider attending/testifying at the March 24 hearing or sending letters of concern to Councilman Roger Berliner. We believe this will adversely affect our patrons and programs.

Please circulate this notice to others who may want to express concern.

Thank you!

[rideonrulez]

-The Public Hearing for the service cuts is on Tuesday 3/24/09 at 6:30pm at the EOB (101 Monroe St). I usually host these type of events but I'm not going this time but is anybody on this board plan on attending?
-Ride On is going to recieve 31 baby Gilligs and 46 forty foot Gilligs this summer. They are suppose to replace the remaining Orion I's  , Helldorado's  , 5546    and the 94-96 Gillig Phantoms . It might retire the 1996 Orion V's too.

[LandoverDivision]

Hm so soon as this is all said and done, Ride-On is going to be Gillig Country. Kinda. Is Ride-On getting any other type of bus? They should get more New Flyers.

[Tritransit Area]

Who knows? After all, we thought Ride-On was going to become "Orion Country" until Orion messed up with the VII...3 times....

Silver Spring division was always Gillig Country, although it would be interesting to see Gilligs on the northern routes.

[WMATAGMOAGH]

I don't think Ride On will become Gillig Country anytime soon.  OK, maybe downcounty will be somewhat, but the Orion CNGs aren't moving anywhere obviously, and the 2001 Orion Vs ought to be around for awhile...

[ChristopherF]

5740 now has the Orbital announcer system installed.  The bus stop display was already installed on these 16 2008 Gillig Advantage 40' buses when they arrived late last year. 

[C40LF_2464]

Whats an Oribital anooucer? Is it the thing that makes the bus say "Route 48......Rockville" or something? And how do ride on fuel theyre CNG buses? I thought MD dosent allow CNG Fueling.

[NewFlyer9736BCT]

Whats an Oribital anooucer? Is it the thing that makes the bus say "Route 48......Rockville" or something? And how do ride on fuel theyre CNG buses? I thought MD dosent allow CNG Fueling.

no, that's WMATA who didn't want CNG facilities in the MD facilities. Ride-On is a different TA, so if they want a CNG facility in Gaithersburg, then so be it, and it seems to be working fine and it always has.

And yes, the orbital announcer is the voice announcement thing.

[Tritransit Area]

First, it's important to note that Ride-On had CNG buses long before WMATA did.

Also, it was to my understanding that Montgomery depot was supposed to become a CNG depot (for alternative fuels).  However, hybrids became more mainstream, and WMATA decided to spring for those rather than install CNG fueling facilities.

It's not law to not have CNG vehicles in Maryland...

[WMATAGMOAGH]

First, it's important to note that Ride-On had CNG buses long before WMATA did.

Also, it was to my understanding that Montgomery depot was supposed to become a CNG depot (for alternative fuels).  However, hybrids became more mainstream, and WMATA decided to spring for those rather than install CNG fueling facilities.

It's not law to not have CNG vehicles in Maryland...

Actually, the Erlich appointed WMATA Board Member for Maryland at the time decided that CNGs were too expensive and that the same environmental benefits at far less cost could be achieved with hybrids, which is why Landover and Montgomery have hybrids and Montgomery never became CNG.

[ChristopherF]

5736 now has the Orbital announcer system installed.

[rideonrulez]

Annoncement to the DCATZ board



Today (4/3/09) is my last day here as an employee at Ride On  I will miss it here as it is like a family to me for my last 10+ years but I got to move on with my career. I still of course will continue to participate as a DCATZ member.

[Tritransit Area]

*gasp* I had no idea!  Congratulations on making it to the next step in your career.  Are you remaining local?

[NewFlyer9736BCT]

Annoncement to the DCATZ board



Today (4/3/09) is my last day here as an employee at Ride On  I will miss it here as it is like a family to me for my last 10+ years but I got to move on with my career. I still of course will continue to participate as a DCATZ member.

=O

Good luck with your career and thanks for contributing to the site!

BTW a Ride-On update: So far, I have not been seeing the new Round Rockville buses on the 45 yet...I continue to see the great variety of Gilligs and Orion Is...just today I saw 5420 and 5529 on the 45...as well as normal-branded Cutaways and baby Gilligs.