Published July 9, 2021
As campus plans to resume full operations, now is the perfect time to make a plan for your commute. We’ve created resources to help you prepare:
We encourage you to make a Smart Commute on the days you’ll come to campus—there’s never been a better time to Rethink Your Ride!
If you need assistance, please contact us at transportation@umd.edu or 301-314-3687 (4-DOTS). We are excited to share that our lobby in Regents Drive Garage will reopen at 8:15 a.m. on Monday, July 26, 2021!
TRANSIT
SHUTTLE-UM
Our Fall 2021 schedules are live! Service has increased since Spring 2021 and all routes are running, but there will be fewer buses on the road this fall. You may notice changes in route start times, end times and frequencies. These changes may affect your usual commute, so you may need to make adjustments to your commuting plans. With this in mind, and long before the Fall 2021 semester, we encourage you to look at the bus schedules and maps to see how Shuttle-UM can work for you.
Our new system maps show you where Shuttle-UM goes. Don’t forget to download the NextBUS app (on Apple and Google Play), which provides real-time bus arrival information and service alerts.
If it’s been a while since you’ve taken transit or you just need a refresher on rider etiquette, view our new rider guide. It covers passenger protocol and shows you how to plan for your bus trip. The guide currently outlines our COVID precautions, and it will be updated as COVID restrictions change on campus.
NITE Ride is our on-demand, evening and overnight bus service. It runs from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m., seven days a week when the university is open and serves the immediate campus.
LOCAL AND REGIONAL TRANSIT
Several local and regional transit providers can take you to College Park. Popular connections include:
- The MARC’s Camden Line, which connects Baltimore (Camden Station) to Washington, DC (Union Station) via the College Park Metro Station.
- The College Park, Silver Spring and New Carrollton WMATA MetroRail Stations. You can take a Shuttle-UM bus to campus from these locations.
- The MTA Route 204 commuter bus, which provides service between Frederick and College Park.
View more information about local and regional transit options.
TRANSIT COMMUTER INCENTIVES
- Pre-tax transit deduction is available for employees, including graduate assistants and teaching assistants, who use transit for commuting purposes.
- The Guaranteed Ride Home program provides employees who make sustainable commutes at least twice a week with a free and reliable ride home in an emergency. This is a free service provided through Commuter Connections.
BIKING
PLANNING YOUR BIKE COMMUTE
Biking is a fun and active commute option that can relieve stress and save you money.
- This Capital Trails Coalition map shows the vast network of bike trails in the area.
- The Smart Commute trip planner can also show you the best routes for your cycling commute.
- New this summer, your BikeUMD Concierge can create a custom bike commute plan for you. Email bike@umd.edu to get started.
BIKE COMMUTER INCENTIVE
If you’re commuting by bike some days, sign up for the Bike Commuter Incentive Program. It provides secure bike parking and shower facilities in Regents Drive Garage. In addition to the many bike racks on campus, long-term storage options and covered bike parking options are available.
BIKE REGISTRATION, SAFETY AND RESOURCES
Cyclists must register their bikes, for free, through the Bike Index. This gives us a record of ownership so we can help locate the owner of a missing or lost bike. Your registration also helps with the planning and implementation of bicycle infrastructure improvements at the university. Only registered bicycles are eligible for DOTS’ free lock-cutting service.
Before you roll out, review our bike resources and bike safety and regulations pages for information about on-campus bike parking, bike repair stations and cycling safety. Make sure your bike is in good condition, and take it for a tune-up at the UMD RecWell Bike Shop.
RENTING A BIKE
You can still bike on campus even if you don’t own a bike. Veo is the e-bike and e-scooter share on campus. The RecWell Bike Shop offers bike rentals for students, faculty and staff.
DRIVING
Sustainable transportation is important, but sometimes you just need to drive to campus. Whatever your living, learning or working situation, we have options for you.
STUDENTS
All students are eligible for campus parking. Registration begins in July according to credit level—make sure you add your registration date to the calendar! Before you register, know what permit type best fits your individual living and learning situation. Commuting? You could drive on your own OR find a Terp carpool partner to share the road.
FACULTY AND STAFF
Your driving commute can now be as flexible as you need.
- With daily permits and our new two-day and three-day permits, it’s easy to fit sustainable transportation into your commute routine.
- Annual permit payroll deduction enrollment will begin on or around August 4.
- If you need to park on campus during the summer months, speak with your department’s transportation coordinator.
DISCOUNTS
Carpooling
A carpool permit gives you a 50 percent discount on your annual permit! Our Smart Commute platform matches you with other university members who want to share their commute as well. Carpool permit registrations will open in early August 2021.
Green Vehicle Discounts
Green vehicle discounts are back for annual permit holders. Permit holders whose vehicles qualify as EPA SmartWay Elite can receive 20 percent off their parking permit. Our Smart Communite incentives page shows instructions for activating this discount.
ZIPCAR
Our Zipcar program is resuming on campus this July. Zipcar is the ideal option for anyone who doesn’t have a car on campus. You can rent Zipcars for an hour or a day to explore the area or run to the grocery store.
START PLANNING YOUR COMMUTE
1. Sign up for Smart Commute, or login if you’re already registered.
FACULTY/STAFF CHECKLISTS
STUDENT CHECKLISTS
Commuter Student