University of Maryland - Department of Transportation Services

What University of Maryland - Department of Transportation Services does

The University of Maryland Department of Transportation Services (DOTS) is a non-revenue-generating operational unit of the University of Maryland, a public state university in College Park, Maryland, established in 1972 with approximately 50 employees. DOTS provides a comprehensive campus mobility platform built around three service pillars: Shuttle-UM (a fixed-route bus network of 18+ routes including NITE RIDE late-night service and Paratransit for accessibility), Parking Services (permits, citations, towing, and online account management via the AIMS parking portal), and Sustainable Transportation (EV charging, carpool, carshare via Zipcar, micromobility, and telework programs). DOTS does not earn traditional commercial revenue; it is funded primarily through the university, with parking permits and citation fees as the primary internal revenue sources, supplemented by a newly introduced $35 annual registration fee for privately-owned electric micromobility devices starting in the 2025-2026 academic year.

The technology stack is built on third-party integrations rather than proprietary infrastructure. The Transit App serves as the official real-time bus tracking platform, shuttle scheduling is published online, and a new generation of Veo shared e-scooters and e-bikes — equipped with AI-enabled parking coach, helmet detection, real-time tipover detection, and an intoxicated rider quiz — extends the micromobility safety profile. DOTS also partners with Capital Bikeshare for bike rentals and Zipcar for carsharing, positioning itself as the integration point for all shared mobility on campus. The customer base is concentrated entirely within the University of Maryland community: students (primary), faculty and staff, and visitors, all served through a single College Park, Maryland office.

The business model is institutionally funded rather than market-driven. DOTS sets fees at cost-recovery levels, mandates parking permits for vehicle access, and enforces a new regulatory framework for micromobility that restricts privately-owned electric devices in residence halls and chapter houses. Strategic direction in 2025 centers on three operational themes: a Shuttle-UM route reset to improve on-time performance, the Veo fleet enhancement with AI safety features and extended curfew, and the formalization of micromobility registration as both a regulatory and revenue mechanism.

Name

University of Maryland - Department of Transportation Services

Legal name

University of Maryland - Department of Transportation Services

Website

https://transportation.umd.edu

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The University of Maryland Department of Transportation Services (DOTS) operates Shuttle-UM bus transit, parking, micromobility, and sustainable transportation services for the University of Maryland campus community in College Park, Maryland, funded primarily through the university rather than commercial revenue.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Campus Transportation Services

NAICS

Bus and Other Motor Vehicle Transit Systems (485113), School and Employee Bus Transportation (4854), Urban Transit Systems (4851)

SIC

Local & Suburban Transit & Interurban Hwy Passenger Trans (4100), Transportation Services (4700)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTLAFAJAD

University/School Campus Shuttle Services

Transportation & Logistics/Passenger Transportation (Air, Rail, Bus, Taxi/Rideshare)/Demand-Responsive Transit / Microtransit & Shuttle Services

SECONDARYEDALAKAC

Campus Shuttle & Fixed-Route Transit Services

Education/Student Services & Campus Operations/Transportation, Parking & Mobility Services

SECONDARYEDALAKAJ

Transportation Demand Management (TDM) & Commute Programs

Education/Student Services & Campus Operations/Transportation, Parking & Mobility Services

SECONDARYEDALAKAL

Mobility Technology Systems (Parking Systems, Apps, LPR, Access Control)

Education/Student Services & Campus Operations/Transportation, Parking & Mobility Services

SECONDARYBPAIACAM

Local Transportation, Parking & Mobility Administration

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Local/Municipal Government Administration

Keywords

• Campus shuttle services
• Parking management
• Micromobility programs
• Sustainable transportation
• University transit services

Headquarters

HQ city

College Park

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The University of Maryland Department of Transportation Services (DOTS) provides campus mobility services to the University of Maryland community, operating the Shuttle-UM fixed-route bus network (18+ routes including NITE RIDE and Paratransit), parking permit sales and citation enforcement, micromobility registration and shared rentals through Veo, electric vehicle charging, carpool programs, and sustainable commuting initiatives. Services are funded primarily through parking permits, citations, micromobility registration fees, and university funding. The department serves students, faculty, staff, and visitors on the College Park campus.

Product overview

University of Maryland's Department of Transportation Services (DOTS) provides a comprehensive suite of campus mobility solutions centered around three core service areas: Shuttle-UM (fixed-route shuttle bus services including NITE RIDE and Paratransit), Parking Services (permits, citations, and enforcement), and Sustainable Transportation (micromobility, carpool, EV charging, and telework). The Shuttle-UM network operates over 18 routes serving campus, metro connections, and regional destinations. DOTS also manages campus parking infrastructure including permits, lots, and overnight parking. The department partners with third-party providers including Veo for e-scooter/e-bike rentals, Capital Bikeshare, Zipcar, and integrates with the Transit App for real-time bus tracking. For the 2025-2026 academic year, DOTS is implementing new micromobility policies including restrictions on privately-owned electric devices in residence halls.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Shuttle-UM Bus Service Fixed-route campus shuttle bus service with 18+ routes (104, 105, 108, 111, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 122, 126, 128, 132, 133, 141, 142, 143) serving students, faculty, staff, and visitors across campus, local areas, and Metro stations.
• NITE RIDE Late-night shuttle service operating between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 a.m., providing safe transportation for evening and overnight travel on campus.
• Paratransit Accessible transportation service for eligible individuals with disabilities, operating within the campus area.
• Charter Services Charter bus service available for university groups, departments, and organizations.
• Parking Permits Parking permit system for faculty, staff, students, and visitors, including commuter permits, resident permits, overnight storage permits, and athletics/event parking.
• Citation Management Parking citation issuance, payment processing, and appeal/review system for parking violations via the AIMS parking portal.
• Towing Services Vehicle towing and impoundment services for unauthorized or illegally parked vehicles on campus.
• Motorist Assistance Roadside assistance for motorists experiencing vehicle issues on campus, including jump starts and lockout services.
• Electric Vehicle Charging Electric vehicle charging infrastructure and stations available for EV owners on campus.
• Carpool Services Carpool matching and incentive programs to encourage shared commuting among faculty, staff, and students.
• Micromobility Rentals (Veo) Shared e-scooter and e-bike rentals through partner Veo with student discounts available on campus.
• Micromobility Registration Registration system for privately-owned electric micromobility devices with a $35 annual fee required for registration.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• VeocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 August 2025Veo is the university's shared micromobility partner providing e-scooters and e-bikes on campus. The partnership includes a new fleet with AI-enabled parking coach, helmet detection, real-time tipover detection, intoxicated rider quiz, audible notifications, brake lights, underdeck lighting, and improved suspension. Extended curfew to 11 p.m. Monday-Thursday, increased fleet size, and additional operational staff for events and gameday traffic. Special student discounts available.
• Capital BikesharecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with Capital Bikeshare for shared bike rentals on campus. Special discounts available for students.
• Transit AppcoreTechnology or IntegrationTransit is the official app of Shuttle-UM, providing real-time bus arrival info and route notifications through the platform. Riders can download the app for live updates and schedule information.
• Courtyards Apartment ManagementminorOthersThe Courtyards apartment complex near campus has its own policy prohibiting residents from parking or storing personal electric micromobility devices. Residents can continue accessing Veo e-scooters/e-bikes at Courtyards.

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Veo (Micromobility Operator): UMD's shared micromobility partner supplying e-scooters and e-bikes on campus. A key supplier and ecosystem partner rather than a peer operator; relevant to evaluating the strength of UMD's micromobility channel.
• UCLA Transportation: Operates UCLA's campus shuttle, parking, and micromobility programs serving a similar large public-university community. Not a competitor (different geography) but the most directly comparable university transportation department in scale and service mix.
• Stanford Transportation: Operates Marguerite Shuttle, parking, carpool, and bike programs serving Stanford's campus community. Comparable in offering fixed-route shuttles plus comprehensive sustainable transportation services, though at a private university.
• UC Berkeley Parking and Transportation: Provides Bear Transit shuttle, parking permits, and micromobility programs at UC Berkeley. Directly analogous service portfolio to UMD DOTS and serves a large public-university population.
• USC Transportation (University of Southern California): Manages USC's shuttle, paratransit, parking, and Lyft Pass partnership serving students, faculty, and visitors in an urban campus setting. Highly comparable in scope to UMD DOTS, though serves a private university in a different metro.
• Capital Bikeshare: Regional bikeshare system offering UMD student discounts for shared bike rentals. Adjacent ecosystem partner enabling campus micromobility, not a direct peer in shuttle/parking operations.
• Transit App: Multi-modal transit aggregator app that serves as the official real-time bus tracker for Shuttle-UM. Enabling technology partner rather than a peer; relevant to evaluating UMD's rider-facing digital infrastructure.
• CampusParc (Ohio State University): Manages Ohio State's parking and transportation services under a long-term operating agreement with the university. Notable as a quasi-privatized model of campus transportation delivery, relevant to anyone studying campus mobility operating structures.
• MIT Parking and Transportation Office: Runs MIT's parking operations, shuttle (Tech Shuttle), and pedestrian/bike programs on a dense urban campus. Comparable in providing integrated campus mobility though at a private research university.
• University of Michigan Parking and Transportation Services: Operates parking, Magic Bus shuttle, and Blue Bike programs on U-M's Ann Arbor campus. Comparable public-university operator at similar scale, focused on sustainable commuting incentives.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DOTS_UMD
• Facebookfacebook.com/dotsumd
• Instagraminstagram.com/dots_umd
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/umd-transportation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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