Plan Would Let City Residents Ride University Buses
City council member pushes plan to allow Hyattsville residents to ride Shuttle-UM.
The Hyattsville City Council is considering a measure which would allow city residents to use the University of Maryland bus service, Shuttle-UM.
Under the proposal, put forward by Councilor Tim Hunt (Ward 3), the city would pay the university $5,000 for an agreement which would allow city staff to distribute Shuttle-UM bus passes to Hyattsville residents.
"Implementing a ridership agreement would allow Hyattsville residents to have a public transit option that links areas not previously connected via public transportation," wrote Hunt in a memo outlining the measure, which was discussed at last week's city council meeting.
The cities of College Park and Greenbelt already have similar agreements allowing their residents to use Shuttle-UM.
Currently, Hyattsville is served by Shuttle-UM's 113 route, which connects the Adelphi Road corridor, University Town Center, Prince George's Plaza Metro Station, central Hyattsville and the Hyattsville Arts District with the university's College Park campus. The route runs 15 buses per day, Monday through Thursday, and runs 13 buses on Fridays. It takes a roughly an hour to complete a circuit on the route.
Shuttle-UM is run by the University of Maryland Department of Transportation Services, which runs buses Monday through Friday when the university is in session.
The measure, which was discussed at the last city council meeting, is expected to return before the council for further consideration in the near future.
Nina Faye
7:48 am on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
This would be a great idea, which would include being able to ride free to campus, downtown College Park, Ikea, Greenbelt or any where else the Campus system goes. I rode this bus when I worked at the UMCP libraries years ago and sometimes took it to the Silver Spring Metro.
Alexis J.
12:42 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
Hi, I'm a UMD journalism student. I'm writing a story about the potential Shuttle UM ridership agreement. I saw that you have a few qualms with it.
Could you email me your opinion to (a.jinx29@gmail.com) with your name and occupation that would be greatly appreciated!
Would it be cost beneficial for the city?
Are there potential problems?
Would you use it?
Do you ride the metro buses or similar forms of transportation now?
Scot Brown
9:31 am on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Well I guess it's a good idea buy why spend tax money on a service few will use. Why no just allow the few who would ride it pay $.50 a trip? If you are going to spend $5000 of the public's money how about stoping the kids from steal things from our houses on the way home from school? How about planting flowers in the park? How about giving us back $5000?
Lynn Cotturo
1:27 pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
While you have made many worthwhile suggestions I think this is something that should be included. I think that many City residents would use this service and anything the City can do to help lower the number of cars and pollution would be well worth the money.
Scot Brown
1:42 pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
ok well then let me know the next time you need to take the metro and I'll pay for that too.
S. Lansing
2:41 pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
I think the issue is that the UM system does not a pay-system in their buses. You flash your University ID and get on. To have Hyattsville residents pay would mean changing their operation and bus configuration. They would probably rather have a flat fee and give out passes than mess with collecting money per trip.
Alexis J.
12:42 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
Hi, I'm a UMD journalism student. I'm writing a story about the potential Shuttle UM ridership agreement.
Could you email me your opinion to (a.jinx29@gmail.com) with your name and occupation that would be greatly appreciated!
Would it be cost beneficial for the city?
Are there potential problems?
Would you use it?
Do you ride the metro buses or similar forms of transportation now?
Scot Brown
2:56 pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Yes I know how it works but I'm not sure how that means I should pay for your bus trip.
Michael Theis
3:56 pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
It's still to be determined how "free" the passes will be to the residents who take advantage of them. I believe Greenbelt charges a $10 annual fee for a pass, while College Park gives them away for free.
To be fair, I've never had any problems riding Shuttle-UM (the few times that I have) without a UMD student ID. The drivers seem to never check passes too closely, if at all.
Neighbor
4:15 pm on Wednesday, January 30, 2013
I'd use it.
Scot Brown
9:23 am on Thursday, January 31, 2013
I might use it too. At $10 a person that is 500 people to buy passes to break even. I guess it's a good idea. But if I were to invest in public transportation I'd invest in the Purple Line. Mike can we get an update on the Purple Line. This year will make or break it and in large part it will come down to the gas tax. Can we see an article about how those two are linked? I work for a civil infrastructure firm and Maryland has some big decisions to make this year.