Veo Ride in College Park: Rising Ridership, Rising Responsibility

At this week’s City Council meeting, we received an in-depth update from Veo on the status of shared e-scooters and e-bikes in College Park. The micromobility system—launched in partnership with the City, the University of Maryland, and the Town of University Park—continues to grow rapidly as more residents, students, and workers choose sustainable ways to get around. But with this growth comes a need for stronger management, better compliance, and more reliable parking controls.

Here’s a look at the key takeaways from the presentation.

Ridership Continues to Surge

Veo reported major increases in usage over the past year, reflecting rising demand for convenient, low-cost transportation options.

• Total rides in Q3 grew from 58,917 in 2024 to 83,622 in 2025 — a 42% increase.

• Expanded fleet size—from 400 to 650 vehicles—contributed to the growth.

• The City’s fee revenues from Veo nearly doubled over the same period, due both to higher ridership and updated fee structures.

Micromobility remains an important connector in our transportation network, especially for those traveling between neighborhoods, downtown College Park, and the UMD campus.

Parking and Compliance Issues Rising

While more people are riding, the City has also noted a sharp rise in improperly parked scooters and bikes, particularly in the fall months. Staff have documented a significant increase in:

• Resident complaints through the College Park Connect system, and

• Citations issued when Veo fails to retrieve or relocate incorrectly parked vehicles within the required two-hour window.

In October alone, improperly parked vehicles led to the highest number of violations to date.

Some of the problematic behaviors include:

• Vehicles blocking sidewalks

• Scooters left on roadways or in permit-restricted parking areas

• Devices taken onto private property where others cannot access them

• Frequent trouble spots that require repeated enforcement

In one North College Park location, staff reported 28 separate instances of blocked sidewalks or roadway obstructions since August.

Technology Adjustments Contributed to the Spike

Veo representatives clarified that some of the parking issues stemmed from technology changes earlier this year. The company had temporarily removed smaller, tighter geofenced parking zones in favor of an AI-based parking tool. While the AI was designed to improve accuracy, it inadvertently allowed some riders to end trips in inappropriate locations—including private backyards where bike racks exist.

After concerns were raised by the City and UMD:

• Strict “forced-parking” zones were reinstated, requiring riders to end trips only in approved areas.

• Veo implemented new verification systems, including mandatory photo documentation from field technicians when vehicles are retrieved or repositioned.

• UMD noted that some devices marked as “retrieved” were still in place, prompting the company to tighten its internal oversight.

These steps have already begun to reduce some of the most persistent issues.

City and Regional Partners Intensify Oversight

City staff have increased compliance checks, with teams from Code Enforcement, Public Works, and Planning documenting more violations and monitoring problem locations more frequently. The City is also coordinating closely with:

• UMD,

• University Park, and

• Veo’s operations team

to better align expectations, strengthen parking controls, and ensure devices remain accessible without obstructing public spaces.

As part of the service agreement, improperly parked vehicles must be resolved within two hours of notification. When Veo fails to meet this requirement, the City may issue a citation with a $35 penalty—a tool being used more often as oversight increases.

Next Steps

Veo will continue refining its operations in College Park, including:

• Enhancing geofencing and parking enforcement tools

• Improving data accuracy, safety and transparency

• Working with partners to determine whether fleet sizes or service boundaries should be adjusted

• Providing updated reporting and presenting operational changes at future meetings

The City will also continue monitoring complaints, analyzing trends, and working with the company to ensure accessibility and safety remain priorities as ridership grows.

Micromobility plays a critical role in making College Park more connected, sustainable, and accessible. As Veo’s program expands, ongoing oversight and collaborative adjustments will be essential to making sure these services work well for everyone who uses our public spaces.