Federal workers can now ride MARC trains and Commuter Bus vehicles for free for the duration of the government shutdown, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced on Friday.

Any individual with a federal ID badge can ride for free by showing their badge to a MARC or Commuter Bus operator.

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The goal is for the free rides to ease some of the strain felt by the "essential" federal employees working without pay until the shutdown ends.

"Marylanders make up a large share of the federal workforce, so we fully understand the financial strain many of our riders are experiencing," said Samantha J. Biddle, the acting secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), in a press release about the free rides.

"Free rides on MA

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