The University of Maryland, Department of Transportation Services (DOTS) Shuttle-UM provides paratransit service, which is a curb-to-curb, on demand, and subscription service available to all students, faculty, staff, and visitors with disabilities. DOTS Shuttle-UM recognizes and services people with disabilities registered with the University Health Center (UHC). Private physicians can diagnose injuries but these diagnoses must be verified by the UHC.

• Contact DOTS Shuttle-UM at 301-314-DOTS to schedule a ride to the UHC.
• Obtain certification from UHC.
• The certifying doctor or nurse will register the passenger in the online Paratransit Scheduling Application.
• Once the passenger's information has been entered into the system, the passenger can schedule rides online through the duration of their certification.

Every effort is made to meet the needs of our passengers. However, the practical reality is that the schedule can fill up quickly. As a result, paratransit scheduling occurs on a first come, first served basis. Priority is established by the date on which the trip is scheduled on the online Paratransit Scheduling System. DOTS Shuttle-UM prefers you request your ride at least one week in advance. However, ride requests can be made as late as one hour before your desired ride. Same day trips can be scheduled by contacting DOTS Shuttle-UM Dispatch at 301-405-3687 (4-DOTS).

A “no show” will be documented when a passenger:

• Calls to cancel a ride less than thirty (30) minutes prior to the scheduled ride time.
• Does not call to confirm ride(s) for the same day and does not show to a ride that day.
• Is more than five (5) minutes late for any scheduled ride.

A passenger will be given two (2) grace no shows. On the third no show, he/she will be charged $20.00 to his/her student account through the Student I.D. given at registration time. Each additional no show will result in a fine of $20.00.

The service area for paratransit is limited to University property as well as select locations in the surrounding campus area. Passengers outside of the service boundary are not eligible for paratransit service to and from the University unless: the pick-up/drop-off locations are directly on a route serviced by DOTS Shuttle-UM transit services, the bus is scheduled to run at that time AND the bus is not properly equipped to accommodate the passenger.

Paratransit service is provided to students, faculty, and staff who are registered and certified with UHC and DOTS Shuttle-UM. One (1) Personal Care Attendant (PCAs) and/or service animals are allowed to accompany a passenger. PCAs are not allowed to use the service by themselves. Visitors to the university who require paratransit service will be given a maximum three (3) days of service. Beyond three days, proper registration, and certification will be required.

Paratransit passengers are encouraged to be at their pick-up locations as early as possible. The paratransit van may be at the pick-up location up to five (5) minutes early and will wait up to five (5) minutes past the scheduled pick up time for a passenger. If a passenger is over five (5) minutes late to a scheduled pick-up, a “no show” will be documented and any remaining rides for the day will be cancelled. In addition, the passenger must call DOTS Shuttle-UM Dispatch to reinstate all ride(s) for the rest of the day, and will only be rescheduled if ride times are still available.

Each Paratransit vehicle is equipped with a wheelchair lift and securements which must be worn at all times. Seatbelts are also available upon request.

If a passenger “no shows” any ride, his/her remaining ride(s) will be cancelled for the rest of the day. If a passenger accumulates two “no-shows,” he/she will be contacted through email and/or letter. On the third “no show,” the passenger will be fined $20.00. Additionally, the passenger will be fined $20.00 for every “no show” incurred thereafter. After two (2) weeks of consecutive “no shows” DOTS will assume that the passenger no longer requires paratransit service and will cancel his/her schedule. If a passenger is consistently late to his/her pickups, he/she will be contacted to discuss and update the existing schedule. In the event that a paratransit passenger believes that he/she has received substandard service from a DOTS staff member, the passenger may contact the Demand Response Manager by calling 301-314-2660. DOTS operates on a three (3) strike policy: The DOTS staff member involved will document the first two incidents of passenger misconduct and a warning letter will be sent to the passenger. In the event of a third instance of passenger misconduct, the passenger will receive a suspension of service letter that will be in place until the issues are resolved. All violations of the paratransit policies will be reviewed individually.

• Login
  
  • Already registered with the Health Center? Click here to log in to your paratransit scheduling account
  • You will see a screen similar to below
    
  • Enter your credentials and click login
• Check Your Information
  
  • You will be greeted with a screen similar to below. This is known as your dashboard.
    
  • Click either the picture of the person or personal info
  • You will see a screen similar to below
    
  • Update the Fields with the correct Information
  • Notice that the right box says sessions. The date/s in that box is the time when you have permission to use Shuttle-UM’s paratransit program.
• Add your first Ride
  
  • Either on the Dashboard or in the top menu click “Add Rides”.
  • You will something similar to below.
    
  • Click in the “Date:” box. A calendar will pop up. Select the date you want your ride.
  • Fill in the time box with the time you want your ride and select AM or PM in the drop down box.
  • You will notice that Pickup is already selected. If you would rather be dropped off at the time you entered above then select DropOff instead.
  • Now select the locations you want to be picked up at and dropped off at.
  • You will notice that when you change your pickup location the below map changes with the location. If you want the dropoff location to be displayed then click the Dropoff Button just above the map.
  • If you want the ride to be for many days during the semester click the repeating button. That box will expand to look like below.
  • Check the days you want your ride to repeat on. Then add a Repeat Until date and click submit.
  • You will see the box on the right side update with your new ride info.
• Request off Campus Location (if needed)
  
  • Either on the Dashboard on in the menu click Requests
  • You will see page similar to below
    
  • On the top enter the off campus address you would like to request.
  • After you click show address you will see the location appear on the map below.
  • Ensure it is the correct location. If yes then add a location description and an abbreviation. The abbreviation will be used on your add rides page to save space.
  • Click Submit and you will see the status of your request in the right box. If it gets approved it will show up in your locations on your add rides page.
  • If your location gets denied or does not get approved right away, contact the Demand Response Manager