Transportation in Hyde Park

Whether on foot or on wheels, it's easy to find your way around Hyde Park and the rest of the city.

Bikes

Chicago is one of the two best big cities in North America for cycling, according to Bicycling Magazine (2004). There are bike routes and racks throughout the city, the neighborhood, and the campus. Check out the Chicago Department of Transportation Web site (www.cityofchicago.org/Transportation/) for bike info and bike route maps. Another good source of information is the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, a nonprofit organization devoted to getting more people on bikes. Find out more at www.chibikefed.org or by phone at 312-42-PEDAL.

It's a good idea to register your bike with the University Police. Pick up registration forms in any residence hall or at the Young Building, 5555 South Ellis Avenue, 2-8181.

In-line skates

In-line skates can be a great way to get around. But be aware that many buildings and stores around campus and Hyde Park won't let you wear them inside.

Getting around by car

Except for first-year students in the College, students may bring cars to campus, but parking can be difficult. If space is available in one of the lots on campus, you can buy a University parking permit (5525 South Ellis Avenue, south-side entrance).

Campus bus services

Three daytime routes are operated by the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). You can ride free by showing your Chicago Card when boarding. See Going downtown for the CTA #173 Lakeview Express evening bus and the #174 Garfield L Stations bus. See Transportation beyond Chicago for the #192 UCH/Metra Stations bus.

CTA #170 bus
Where: Counter-clockwise around the Midway from 57th/Stony Island to 59th, Cottage Grove, 60th, and Stony Island back to 57th.
When: Weekdays 6:40 a.m. to 9:40 a.m., 3:30 to 6:40 p.m.
How often: Every 10 minutes.

CTA #171 bus
Where: Shoreland Hall to the central campus.
When: Daily, September through mid-June; weekdays only in the summer. Weekdays 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
How often: Every 6 to 30 minutes.

CTA #172 bus
Where: From 51st Street just east of South Hyde Park Boulevard to the central campus.
When: Daily, September through mid-June; weekdays only in the summer. 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
How often: Every 9 to 45 minutes.

Get University bus information 24 hours a day at bus.uchicago.edu.

Evening bus services

The University of Chicago operates four routes of free evening bus service throughout the Hyde Park–Kenwood neighborhood. They operate on 20-minute schedules and depart from the front of the Reg. Drivers will stop to pick up and/or discharge passengers along any of the established routes. Your Chicago Card is required to ride the buses. Buses operate 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Sunday–Wednesday, and 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Thursday–Saturday. For maps, go to bus.uchicago.edu.

Safe Ride program
From midnight to 4:00 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday and from midnight to 6:00 a.m. Thursday through Saturday, this on-demand bus service is available to students, faculty, and staff located in the University Police area of coverage (39th Street to 64th Street, Lake Shore Drive to Cottage Grove Avenue). Delays in pickups may occur, since the buses operate on a "first call, first come" basis. Call 2-2022 and give your precise address. Expect to display your Chicago Card when boarding the bus.

Umbrella coverage
Anyone within the University Police coverage area can request a police escort at any time if they feel uncomfortable with their surroundings. Call 2-8181 and give your location; the first available patrol car will be dispatched to accompany you as you walk to your destination.

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