College Park Council discusses Veo scooter contract renewal and fleet expansion plan

The College Park City Council meeting on April 8, 2025, spotlighted significant discussions surrounding the management of vacant properties and the renewal of the Veo rideshare contract, both pivotal issues for the community.

Council members expressed concerns about property owners holding onto vacant lots as investments, potentially exacerbating urban blight. Council member Hill highlighted the need for a strategy to address this behavior, questioning how new measures would effectively curb property owners from leaving spaces unused while benefiting from tax write-offs. The council is currently in the early stages of developing a vacant property tax rate, with plans to tackle residential and commercial properties in the future.

In a separate discussion, Senior Planner Carlos Nunez presented the proposed amendments for the Veo contract, which is up for renewal in June. The proposed changes include extending the contract term to five years and increasing the fleet size from 400 to 650 vehicles. However, the council is advocating for a more cautious approach, suggesting a two-year term with a phased rollout of the fleet to ensure controlled growth. The council also proposed raising the ride fee from 15 cents to 20 cents to address inflation and fund infrastructure improvements.

Nunez noted that Veo has been integral to the city’s transportation network, providing over 377,000 rides last year and significantly reducing parking complaints. The council emphasized the importance of equity in the service, aiming to ensure affordability through discounted passes.

The council plans to revisit these discussions in May, with the hope of finalizing the Veo contract amendments and continuing to address the vacant property issue. The outcomes of these discussions are expected to shape the future of urban development and transportation in College Park.