BY REBECCA BENNETT AND SAM STERN — On Nov. 16, the Hyattsville City Council voted to renew the memorandum of understanding with the University of Maryland that allows City of Hyattsville residents to use Shuttle UM.
According to a city memo, the program has issued 101 shuttle passes to residents in the first year, which is more than the 40 to 50 the city anticipated.
“This has been a good program for our residents… we do understand we need to do a little more advertising and outreach to make sure our residents understand the program exists and the value of it,” said City Administrator Tracey Nicholson.
For residents to take part in the program they must fill out a UMD shuttle program application that includes a valid photo ID and proof of City of Hyattsville residency.
To make the service free to residents, Hyattsville fully subsidizes the $6,000 program. “The reason that we went for it anyway going in is that the impact is significant for those who do use it or at least potentially significant for those who have the opportunity to use it,” said Councilmember Patrick Paschall (Ward 3).
“I think that this is part of building a new program and letting residents know that a new program exists and it’s available for them so I think we should give it another year,” said Paschall.
