June 18, 2024
Dear Students,
We write today with information on upcoming changes to the University’s ride-sharing program for students, along with reminders about other transportation and safety resources.
New Ride Share Program for Students
Beginning September 1, Via will be the new rideshare service for students, replacing the Lyft Ride Smart program. The new Via program offers students unlimited free rides in shared vans, increasing access to nighttime point-to-point transportation. Via rides will be available in the same service area and at the same times (5:00 p.m. – 4:00 a.m.) as the current Lyft program.
Students will be able to request a shared van on the co-branded UChicago/Via app for point-to-point transportation anywhere within the off-campus service area and to and from defined “virtual stops” on campus, which are in front of academic, residential, dining, and student activity buildings. The Via app will also display other University of Chicago transportation options, such as UGo Shuttles, so you can see various options for arriving at your destination.
We will provide additional program details, including instructions for downloading and signing into the app, in an email later this summer.
Additional Transportation Options Available to Students
- UGo Shuttles: UGo Shuttles run day and night on and around campus, in Hyde Park, and between the Hyde Park campus and downtown Chicago. Shuttles are free to all members of the University community by tapping your ID card upon entry on the shuttle. Route maps are on the Department of Safety & Security (DSS) website, and real-time shuttle location information is on Passio GO!. (TransLoc will continue to be available through August 1, after which Passio Go! will become the sole technology provider for UGo shuttles.)
- CTA and Metra: Students can also use the CTA 171 and CTA 172 bus routes, which run on and around campus 6:30 a.m. through 7:30 p.m. and are free for anyone with a University ID card. The CTA 192 express bus, which connects campus with CTA and Metra stations in downtown Chicago, is also available. Students are also eligible for a free Metra Day Pass 5 Pack by signing up for a Ventra account and claiming a pass on my.uchicago.edu. All passes expire after 90 days.
If you have questions about any of the University’s transportation programs, email bus@uchicago.edu. For additional information on getting around Hyde Park and the city, please visit the DSS Transportation page.
Summer Safety Information
The following safety information and resources are available to you now and throughout the year.
- Stay Informed: Visit the DSS website to sign up for timely Crime Notices and the Daily Crime Bulletin, both of which provide information about certain off-campus crimes. Security Alerts, required by the Clery Act, provide notification about significant on-campus crimes. Security Alerts are automatically emailed to members of the University community, but anyone can sign up to receive them. This new map provides information about the boundaries for the various alerts and notifications the University sends.
- Safety Tips: Visit the University's safety webpage for tips on staying safe in the city, around campus, where you live, and while using transportation.
- Safety Escort Program: Members of the University community who are concerned about their safety for any reason as they walk within the University of Chicago Police Department's (UCPD) patrol area can call 773.702.8181 to request a safety escort. You can also request a safety escort through the UChicago Safe mobile app.
If you haven't done so already, we encourage you to download the UChicago Safe mobile app, where you can find many of the resources outlined above. We also recommend that you follow UChicago Safe on Instagram, Facebook, and X for helpful and timely safety-related information.
We wish you a safe and enjoyable summer.
Sincerely,
Michele
-------
Michele Rasmussen
Dean of Students in the University
Eric
-------
Eric M. Heath
Associate Vice President for Safety & Security