Increased Service, Employer Tax Breaks Entice Transit Ridership in Montgomery County

Montgomery County, Maryland transit planners are hoping workers returning to the office in 2023 will rediscover the benefits of a public transit commute.

1 minute read

January 30, 2023, 6:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Two buses pull up to a station on a snowy day.

mLswanson / Shutterstock

“Bus service will increase on more than 30 routes in Montgomery County, and a tax credit program for employers will be expanded to encourage more ridership on the Ride On transportation network,” reports Steve Bohnel. Four routes will also see decreased service.

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is basing the service changes on automated rider counts. The department has increased the frequency of its ridership reviews during the pandemic, according to a MCDOT source quoted in the article. Previously MCDOT reviewed ridership counts three times a year.

As for the tax credit program, “the monthly tax-free credit to employees has been increased from $280 to $300,” reports Bohnel, and employers can receive up to $40,000 in reimbursements each year to use the program.

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