June 8, 2023
To: All Students
From: Eric Heath, Associate Vice President for Safety and Security, and Michele Rasmussen, Dean of Students in the University
Subject: Summer Transportation Options
Date: June 8, 2023
We are writing to remind you of the transportation options on and around campus available to you this summer. The University has significantly expanded its student transportation options on campus and in the city as part of our commitment to providing safe and reliable transportation.
University Shuttles
The UGo shuttle system will continue to operate with expanded hours, as it has throughout the 2022-2023 academic year. For example, the NightRide Shuttle now begins operating an hour earlier (at 4 p.m.), the average time between NightRide shuttles has been reduced to 15 minutes, and a new shuttle route (the Downtown Campus Connector) has been added. As a reminder, students can flag a NightRide Shuttle from any intersection on the route map and be dropped off anywhere along the route. We encourage students to take advantage of these free shuttles when possible.
CTA and Metra
Students can also use the CTA 171 and CTA 172 bus routes, which run from 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 downtown Chicago and CTA and Metra stations downtown, is available from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. for the southbound morning service, and from 3:45 p.m. to 7:30 pm for the northbound evening service.
Students are also eligible for a free, annual 10-ride pass for the Metra Electric line, which can be obtained by registering on my.UChicago.edu.
Lyft Ride Smart
The University continues to offer the Lyft Ride Smart Program as a transportation option for enrolled students during evening and late-night hours as a complement to UGO NightRide Shuttle.
The program will continue to operate during the hours of 5 p.m. to 4 a.m. and will remain available to students seven days a week. Beginning July 1, for July and August, students will be able to take up to seven subsidized standard Lyft rides per month (up to $10 off per ride) for rides that start and end within the program’s service area. We encourage students to use shuttles when circumstances allow, as they offer extensive coverage of nearby neighborhoods and provide a sustainable option in terms of environmental impact and cost.
We are assessing ways to refine Lyft Ride Smart for the new academic year to efficiently meet the needs of students, focusing on times when fewer other transportation options are available. Any further changes to the program will be communicated before the start of the Autumn Quarter.
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 Department of Safety & Security’s Transportation page. You can also consult this video transportation guide for students.
We wish you a safe and enjoyable summer.