Town Bus Services Suspended

Town bus services have been suspended. The Mayor and Council are working together to re-envision the future of bus services and to determine when and how to reinstate the service.

Town Bus

There are several ways to get around Town and to our neighboring towns and cities without getting into your vehicle.

Town Bus

The University Park Town Bus offers free transportation for University Park residents only, Monday through Friday, to and from the Prince George's Plaza Metro stop. Weekday scheduled trips to the Metro are offered between 6 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. and scheduled pick-ups from the Metro to University Park are offered from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Drop-off and pick-up location is on the east side of the station, by the parking lot on the opposite side of the shops. Riders are picked up at the same location where they are dropped off each day.

Resources

Inclement Weather Policy

Please follow news media reports regarding the operating status of federal government offices as the best indicator of whether the Town Bus is operating.  

  • If federal government offices are closed due to weather conditions, the Town Bus will not operate.
  • If federal government offices are open, even if on delayed arrival, the Town Bus will operate on its established route and schedule so long as the conditions are deemed safe by the Town.
  • If federal government offices are open and announce early dismissal, the Town Bus will operate on its established route and schedule so long as the conditions are deemed safe by the Town.
  • Bus status recording will be updated as needed due to changing conditions.

In inclement weather, call the Town Bus status line at 240-297-8287 to learn if the bus is operating.

Seniors & Disabled Persons' Town Bus Service

University Park also provides lift-equipped, door-to-door, free transportation to senior citizens (age 60 and older), individuals with disabilities and veterans for scheduled appointments such as medical appointments, shopping, employment, education and social activities within a five-mile radius.

Making Appointments

Appointments are on a first come, first served basis. Appointments are scheduled on Wednesdays and Thursdays only with pick up times between 10-11 a.m. Drivers are not to enter any residences. Family members or escorts are required to bring the wheelchair occupant to the curb, and are to accompany the bus if the wheelchair occupant is unable to operate the chair at the destination.

Call Town Hall at 301-927-4262 during business hours at least 24 hours in advance to schedule transportation.

Bike Share

The University of Maryland Department of Transportation Services (DOTS), Town of University Park and City of College Park will partner with the mobility share company VeoRide to pilot a year-long bike and electric scooter (e-scooter) program. VeoRide has pioneered the mobility industry’s most durable, rider safe and eco-friendly e-scooter on the market.

Beginning Wednesday, August 28,2019 VeoRide will gradually introduce a fleet of 150 electric assist bikes (e-bikes), 70 pedal bikes and 70 e-scooters to 24 different locations on campus and around the City of College Park and Town of University Park. Bikes and e-scooters will be available from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

How to Ride 

To rent a bike or e-scooter, customers must download the free VeoRide app on their mobile device and locate their preferred vehicle. After initiating Bluetooth pairing, they must scan the QR code on the vehicle or enter the vehicle’s ID to unlock it and ride. At the end of the trip, bicycles must be parked at any public bike rack, and e-scooters must be parked in designated areas identified in the app. The rider pushes the button on the lock to end the trip.

E-bikes and e-scooters cost $1.00 to unlock and 15 cents per minute of use. Pedal bicycles cost $1.00 to unlock and 5 cents per minute of use.

Bike Stations

Bike Stations in University Park are located at the following intersections:

  • Queens Chapel Road and Baltimore Avenue
  • Wells Parkway and College Heights Drive

Public Transportation

Three bus services operate around the perimeter of University Park: MetroBus, TheBus (Route1Ride) and ShuttleUM. All three bus services have routes that connect to the MetroRail stations on the Green Line.

SmarTrip Cards

SmarTrip cards are reloadable fare cards that allow you to use MetroBus, MetroRail and TheBus (Route1Ride). SmarTrip cards can be purchased from any MetroRail station.

Route1Ride

Route1Ride (TheBus route 17) travels along Route 1 from the D.C. line to IKEA in College Park with a stop at the College Park MetroRail station. The fare is $1.25, or free for children under 5, senior citizens or handicapped. It is also free for elementary, high school and UMD students, faculty and staff with ID. View TheBus (Route1Ride) for fares and times.