Location, Location, Location
The Bonifant at Silver Spring is conveniently located in the heart of downtown Silver Spring and offers truly affordable city living for seniors. The Fenton Village area has access to over 80 attractions, nearly 430 shops & services, over 140 restaurants and 90 businesses offering arts and entertainment; all of these destinations are within walking distance or can be easily accessed by public transportation. The location is a walker's paradise and walkability offers surprising benefits to our health, the environment, our finances, and our communities.
Car-Free Options
In addition to walking, there are other options to get around such as Metro, bus, Zipcar®, Taxi, Car Services, and bicycles.
Public Transportation
Redline Metro, and Metro Bus - Montgomery County Department of Transportation offers a useful and user-friendly system for mass public transportation with services specifically catered to Seniors and persons with disabilities. The rideonrealtime.com website provides information of real-time arrivals for the bus/metro and will suggest the best route allowing you to input your address and destination. The website also allows schedules to be printed for particular bus lines and metro stops. The No. 8 bus has a stop located in the area of Fenton and Bonifant and the Red Line Metro Station is within walking distance. In addition, the future development of the Purple Line will put a Metro stop at our door.
Senior Connection
Formed in 2003, Senior Connection is the largest provider of “through the door” transportation in Montgomery County, MD. Offering services that include free escorted transportation, shopping and errand assistance to older residents in the county, it allows many seniors to “age in place” and has done so for some 7,000 senior citizens.
Contact Information: 301-962-0820 | seniorconnectionmc.org
Eligibility: Adults ages 60 and older for the shoppers program and 62 and older for transportation services. The rider must have enough mobility to get in and out of an automobile, as they are unable to serve people who use wheelchairs.
Connect-A-Ride
This free informational resource helps connect adults 50+ and adults with disabilities to public, private and volunteer transportation options that can be used to get rides to medical services, errands, social activities and other destinations.
Contact Information: 301-738-3252 | montgomerycountymd.gov
Transportation Providers: Relatives or friends of the customer, designated licensed private driving, local cab companies, & volunteers. If the customer recruits his/her own driver, the driver will be reimbursed for mileage.
Eligibility: Low-income Montgomery County residents ages 50 and older who are unable to travel alone. Customer must require assistance due to physical, cognitive or emotional impairment.
Destination and Duration: Within Montgomery County and nearby jurisdictions. Provider-escorted round trips may be three hours or less. Each customer may take up to four trips per month.
Call-N-Ride
A discounted taxi service that provides subsidized transportation services for seniors (67+), adults (18+) with disabilities and low income Montgomery residents to appointments within the county (and other designated areas if it is for medical reasons).
Contact Information: 301-948-5409 |www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DOT-transit/seniors.html
Eligibility: People must be low income and at least 67 years of age, or low income and at least 18 years of age with a disability. All trips must begin and end in Montgomery County.
Bicycles
While some people hit the road on four wheels others prefer two. This is an easy option with the bike share program. Rentals can be made through Zagster's mobile app or by text message. Nearby Bikeshare stations are located at the corner of Ripley & Bonifant, and Colesville & Wayne Ave. Bike sharing is a great alternative because it:
- Expands travel options for Montgomery County’s residents, workers, and visitors.
- Extends the reach of transit.
- Supports transit-oriented, mixed-use neighborhoods where many destinations are only a 10-15 minute bike ride away.
- Fits in with a broader program to promote an economically and environmentally sustainable community that is less auto-dependent,and increases non-single occupant vehicle mode sharing.
- For those that own a bike, The Bonifant has an onsite bike rack/room for storage and 24-hour access.
Zipcar®
Zipcars are available at various locations throughout downtown Silver Spring. The beauty of car sharing is that it just makes sense. It's there when you need it and not when you don't. Just imagine never having to make a car payment, pay an auto insurance bill, or worry about the cost of gas again. Zipcar® throws in all the fixings: gas, comprehensive insurance, and up to 180 miles/day. Reservations can be made at zipcar.com or call 202-737-4900.
Taxi Services
Silver Spring has an abundance of Taxi companies, so booking a cab day or night is a breeze.
- Action Taxicab Company - 301-840-1000
- Barwood Taxicab Company - 301-984-1900
- Regency Taxicab Company - 301-990-9000
- Sun Cab Company - 301-252-0575
- Orange Cab Company - 301-912-0000
Car Owner Options
Here are some local parking garages where you can park your car. They offer hourly, daily and monthly rates:
- Bonifant-Dixon Garage - 1101 Bonifant Street
- Wayne Ave Garage - 921 Wayne Ave
- Downtown Silver Spring Garage - 916 Ellsworth Drive
- Cameron Street Garage - 8350 Cameron Street
