Shuttle – UM

We’ve all seen the University of Maryland’s Shuttle-UM bus service on the main streets in our neighborhood – Edgewood, Rhode Island and Route 1. However, it appeared to me that many of our residents don’t know something important – they can also ride these buses.

Until 2008, only students, faculty and staff members were allowed on Shuttle-UM buses. But a new state law allowed the service to begin picking up city residents. In exchange, the city pays the Department of Transportation Services $5,000 annually. The law was scheduled to sunset in June 2011, but legislation making it permanent has been proposed in the House of Delegates and state senate.

“It’s been a good thing for the city of College Park and the residents of College Park” said Frush, who represents College Park and is sponsoring the bill removing the sunset clause. “I think it gets the young people and the residents together in a good way. I just think it’s useful.” – according to this Diamondback article.

Residents, however, will need to complete an application and show a photo ID and proof of College Park residency.  Residents can apply for the passes at City Hall from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and 1:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday.  UM students do not need a resident pass to ride Shuttle-UM.

The only bus route that go through our neighborhood is 110 – Seven Spring apartments. Route 121, which used to run along Route 1 from IKEA in College Park to Franklin’s in Hyattsville, was eliminated in last September due to low ridership by UM students.