College Park–University of Maryland station

College Park–University of Maryland station is a rapid transit station on the Washington Metro system, located in Prince George's County, Maryland. It primarily serves the adjacent University of Maryland, College Park campus and the surrounding city of College Park, Maryland. The station is a key multimodal hub, offering connections to MARC Train commuter rail and local bus services, and is situated on the Green Line between Greenbelt and Prince George's Plaza.

History

The station opened on December 11, 1993, as part of the initial segment of the Green Line's eastern branch. Its construction was a critical component of a regional transportation plan to improve access to major employment and education centers, notably the University of Maryland, College Park. The station's development coincided with significant growth in the Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area and was intended to reduce traffic congestion along the Baltimore–Washington Parkway and U.S. Route 1. The opening was celebrated by officials including then-Governor of Maryland William Donald Schaefer and WMATA leadership, marking a new era of transit connectivity for Prince George's County.

Station layout

The station features a single elevated island platform serving two tracks, with the platform canopy designed in the distinctive Washington Metro vaulted architecture. The main entrance and mezzanine are located at grade on the west side of the tracks, adjacent to a large Kiss and ride area and a multi-level parking garage. The station's design incorporates elements to facilitate easy transfers, with direct stair and elevator access from the Metro fare gates to the adjacent MARC Train platform for the Camden Line. Artwork at the station, part of the Arts in Transit program, reflects the area's academic and community character.

Services and connections

As a major transit hub, the station provides access to multiple transportation services. WMATA operates Metrobus routes connecting to destinations such as Silver Spring, New Carrollton, and Fort Totten. The adjacent MARC Train station is served by the Camden Line, providing direct service to Camden Station in Baltimore and Union Station in Washington, D.C.. Local bus service is provided by TheBus of Prince George's County, Maryland, and the University of Maryland, College Park operates its Shuttle-UM system with a stop at the station.

Ridership

The station consistently ranks among the busiest on the Green Line, with ridership heavily influenced by the academic calendar of the University of Maryland, College Park. Pre-pandemic annual boardings regularly exceeded 2 million, with significant peaks during university events, NCAA games at Capital One Field at Maryland Stadium, and commuting hours for federal employees traveling to agencies like the Food and Drug Administration and the National Archives and Records Administration. Ridership patterns demonstrate its role as a critical node for students, faculty, and residents of surrounding communities such as Berwyn Heights and Riverdale Park.

Future developments

Several planned projects aim to enhance the station's role and capacity. The Purple Line light rail, currently under construction, will have a stop adjacent to the station, creating a direct rail connection to Bethesda and New Carrollton. Long-term plans from WMATA include potential station improvements as part of the Better Bus network redesign and core capacity initiatives. The City of College Park and the University of Maryland also support transit-oriented development in the station's vicinity, guided by the College Park Metro Station Area Sector Plan approved by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.

Category:Washington Metro stations in Prince George's County, Maryland Category:Railway stations opened in 1993 Category:Green Line (Washington Metro) stations Category:College Park, Maryland Category:Buildings and structures in Prince George's County, Maryland