The Chicago Transit Authority will continue to operate four bus lines that serve the University of Chicago campus and surrounding neighborhoods, after the University and the CTA reached a five-year agreement. The CTA board approved the contract at its May 8 meeting.
The new agreement ensures continued bus service on the existing 170, 171, 172 and 192 routes. Together, these routes provided nearly 1.2 million rides to members of the UChicago community and neighboring residents last year.
“We believe it is crucial that our faculty, students, staff and neighbors have safe and efficient public transportation around campus and neighboring communities,” said Marlon C. Lynch, Associate Vice President for Safety and Security at the University. “We have spent more than a year working to find the best way to continue providing that service, and are very pleased to have reached this agreement with the CTA.”
Under the agreement, the routes will continue their existing hours of operation along their existing routes as follows:
- 170 University of Chicago/Midway: Travels between 57th Street/Stony Island and 59th Street/Drexel during the morning and evening rush periods on weekdays only (year-round). More than 85,000 rides were provided in 2012.
- 171 University of Chicago/Hyde Park: Operates daily from early September through mid-June and only during the morning and evening rush periods during the summer months. Buses travel between 54th Street/South Shore to 60th Street/University and had nearly 370,000 rides in 2012.
- 172 University of Chicago/Kenwood: Nearly 520,000 rides were recorded along this route in 2012, which operates between Hyde Park/East End and 60th Street/University. Service is provided daily from early September through mid-June and then only during the morning and evening rush periods during the summer months.
- 192 University of Chicago Hospitals Express: Service is provided on weekdays during the morning and evening rush periods between the Ogilvie Transportation Center and the University’s campus and hospital. Nearly 210,000 rides were provided along this route in 2012.
Over the last year, the University explored several transit options. Negotiations with CTA made it clear the agency remained the best positioned to offer comprehensive bus service, according to Lynch. CTA officials also praised the agreement.
“We are pleased that we are able to continue to work with the University of Chicago and provide their employees, students, faculty and visitors with reliable and affordable transit options,” said CTA President Forrest Claypool. “Last year CTA provided nearly 1.2 million rides on these University of Chicago routes, and we believe continuing to provide this service benefits the University and the surrounding communities.”
For more information on transit options on and around campus, please visit http://safety-security.uchicago.edu/transportation/.
—Prof. Jacqueline Stewart
