September 26, 2025
Dear students,
Ensuring you have access to safe and reliable transportation is a key priority for the University. As the 2025-26 academic year begins, we want to share information about the many transportation options available to UChicago students to move about and explore campus, Hyde Park, and the city of Chicago:
UGo Shuttle Program
- What is it? The UGo Shuttle Program is UChicago’s free shuttle service on and around the greater campus area.
- When does it operate? Shuttles run from 5 a.m. until 12 a.m. year-round, except on University-observed holidays.
- Where does it operate? The route map for all UGo Shuttles is available on the Department of Safety & Security’s website.
- How does it work? Daytime shuttles stop at designated stops along the route. For nighttime shuttles, you can flag the driver anywhere along the route, and they will stop to pick you up and drop you off at any intersection along the route.
- Who can ride it? Shuttles are free to all members of the University community by tapping your UChicago ID card when you board the shuttle.
- What’s changed this year? UGo NightRide shuttle service ends at 12 a.m. We made this change because after midnight, ridership on UGo shuttles essentially stops. The nighttime schedule changes are as follows:
- Most NightRide routes operate at 15-minute intervals from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., and then 30-minute intervals for the rest of service.
- The South Route shuttle operates at 30-minute intervals throughout the service period.
- The Regents Express route will continue to run every 20 minutes from 5:20 p.m. until 9 p.m. every Monday through Friday. The South Loop route will continue to run every hour from 6 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. every Friday through Saturday.
RideSmart by Via
- What is it? RideSmart by Via is the University of Chicago’s on-demand rideshare program that offers students free rides on and around UChicago’s campus from 5 p.m. until 4 a.m., seven days a week.
- How do students sign up? To begin riding, download the RideSmart by Via app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and create an account using your UChicago email address. The RideSmart app will verify your eligibility through the UChicago login process. This video will walk you through the process.
- Where does it operate? It operates in the campus service area – meaning all rides must start and stop within the service area.
- On campus, RideSmart will pick up/drop-off students at designated locations at academic, residential, dining, and student activity buildings.
- Off campus, RideSmart will pick up/drop-off students anywhere within the service area.
- How does booking a ride work? You can book a ride within the app for yourself, and you have the option of including one guest. When you book, you can see in the app the real-time vehicle location and the driver’s expected arrival time. The wait time for a vehicle should not exceed 15 minutes once you’ve booked your ride; if it does, an option for a free Lyft ride to your destination will appear in the RideSmart by Via app. To maximize efficiency, RideSmart may pick up and drop off other UChicago students along your ride.
- What’s new this year? We have added more vehicles to the fleet to help meet demand.
Downtown Campus Connector
- What is it? The Downtown Campus Connector provides free weekday shuttle service to students and other members of the University community traveling between the Hyde Park campus, the Gleacher Center, UChicago Medicine clinics, the Roosevelt CTA station, and other downtown Chicago locations, including stops close to Oglivie and Union stations.
- When does it run? Service is Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., excluding holidays, with 25-minute intervals.
- What’s new this year? In addition to normal service on the Downtown Campus Connector, we have launched the Gleacher Express route, which will provide direct service from the Booth School (Harper Center) to the Gleacher Center from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 8 p.m. to 9:15 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Public Transportation
- Metra provides commuter rail service throughout the Chicago metro area. The Metra Electric District Line runs through Hyde Park and can be accessed at several stations in Hyde Park and Chicago. This academic year, students can register at my.UChicago.edu for a free Day Pass 5 Pack they can use on any Metra line.
- The CTA 171 and CTA 172 buses also service Hyde Park and are free to anyone with a UChicago ID.
- Many other public transportation options are also available, including other CTA bus lines that service Hyde Park as well as bike share. Please see this website for more information.
Free After-Hours Parking
- Members of the University community with an active UChicago ID can access free parking at both the Kimbark South and Campus North parking garages if they enter between 5 p.m. and 3 a.m., and exit by 7 a.m. Tap your UChicago ID to enter and exit.
For more information on transportation resources, including resources for public transportation, biking, parking, and more, please see this video or visit the Department of Safety and Security transportation page. If you have questions, please email bus@UChicago.edu.
We wish you safe travels and a productive academic year.
Sincerely,
Eric
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Eric M. Heath, Senior Associate Vice President for Operations
Mike
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Mike Hayes, Dean of Students in the University