Getting Around Hyde Park and Beyond

CTA Bus
City Representatives
City Representatives

The Chicago City Council consists of fifty aldermen, one representing each ward (district). The council meets regularly to discuss legislation, orders, and ordinances whose subject matter includes traffic code changes, the city’s relationship with utility providers, taxes, and much more. The Hyde Park, Kenwood, and Woodlawn communities are represented by the following aldermen:

Fourth Ward

Toni Preckwinkle

4659 South Cottage Grove Avenue
Suite 203
Chicago, Illinois 60653
536-8103
Email

Fifth Ward

Leslie Hairston

1900 East 71st Street
Chicago, Illinois 60649
324-5555
Email

Twentieth Ward

Arenda Troutman

5859 South State Street
Chicago, Illinois 60621
324-5224
Email

Hyde Park and the neighboring mid–South Side communities of South Kenwood, North Kenwood, and Oakland to the north and Woodlawn to the south are home to the University of Chicago. Chicago’s extensive public transportation system in combination with University buses make it relatively easy to get around the city. Use the information below as a starting point for traveling within and beyond the mid–South Side. Also, as a courtesy the University’s parking lots are open to the community after hours. We encourage you to contact the services listed below to learn more about time schedules and routes.

University Transportation

Bus Service

The University subsidizes three CTA routes (#170, #171, #172) throughout the neighborhood. Students, faculty, staff, and Medical Center employees with a University ID card may travel these routes free of charge. The University operates two other buses with the CTA: #173 Lakeview Express provides service to downtown and other North Side neighborhoods; and #174 Garfi eld Stations provides service to the Red and Green Line “el” stations during weekday rush hours and Friday and Saturday nights during the academic year.

University evening bus service includes four free routes (North, South, East, Central) when school is in session (two routes during breaks and summer) throughout the Hyde Park–Kenwood neighborhood. Buses are free with a University ID card and run as late as 3 a.m. Hours and routes vary, so visit bus.uchicago.edu for schedule and route information.

#192 Express Service to Metra

The University and the University of Chicago Hospitals subsidize a direct, express bus through CTA to connect campus to the downtown Metra stations (Union and Ogilvie). The #192 operates Monday through Friday 6:30 to 9:00 a.m. and 3:45 to 7:00 p.m.

Midway Shuttle

This free bus service, provided by the Medical Center, operates in a loop around the Midway Plaisance, west on 57th Street to Cottage Grove Avenue and east on 60th Street to Stony Island Avenue, Monday through Friday (except University holidays). The shuttle operates on a 24-hour basis from Cottage Grove Avenue to the 57th Street Metra Station except during those times that the CTA #170 bus runs—6:30 to 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 to 6:00 p.m. During these periods the Midway Shuttle continues to run but only from Cottage Grove Avenue to Woodlawn Avenue. The full route takes about 20 minutes. Look for the silver vehicle with “The University of Chicago Hospitals” in maroon lettering on the side. For schedule information about this shuttle, visit http://www.uchospitals.edu/pdf/uch_005077.pdf

SafeRide Program

From midnight to 4 a.m. Monday through Thursday and from midnight to 6 a.m. Friday through Sunday, an on-call bus service is available to students, faculty, and staff located in the University Police area of coverage (north to 39th Street, south to 64th Street, east to Lake Shore Drive, and west to Cottage Grove Avenue). Delays in pickups may occur, since the buses operate on a “first-call, first-come” basis. Call 702-2022 and give your precise address. Expect to display your University ID card when boarding the bus. Please visit http://facilities.uchicago.edu/transpparking/transportation/index.shtml for the latest information.

Umbrella Coverage

Anyone within the coverage area indicated above can request this service at any time from University Police if they feel uncomfortable with their surroundings. Call University Police, give your location, and the first available patrol car will be dispatched to accompany

Injured Student Transportation

Students with temporary disability due to injury or illness are encouraged to contact the Office of the Vice-President and Dean of Students at 834-9710. If the injury makes it difficult for the student to maneuver about the campus, the student may be placed on the Injured Student Transportation List with the University Police. Transportation is provided only for the injured student to and from University classes, to and from the Library for studying, to and from medical treatments at the University Medical Center, and to and from dining commons for meals.

Appropriate to the nature of the injury, the student may also be referred to other available resources on campus to support him or her while injured. Relevant offices on campus include:

• Adviser, Department Head, or Area Dean of Students (for academic needs or classroom difficulties)
• Resident Heads or an Assistant Director for Undergraduate Housing (for housing needs)
• Student Counseling and Resource Service (702-9800)
• Student Care Center

Other Types of Transportation

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)

You can fi nd detailed CTA information on the Web at www.transitchicago.com, in the information pages section of your Yellow Pages, at the Reynolds Club, or by calling 312-836- 7000. For further questions, you can also e-mail the University Transportation Administrator at bus@uchicago.edu.

Buses The #6 Jackson Park Express and the #X28 Stony Island Express both have several stops in Hyde Park before making express runs to the Loop, the #6 ending at Michigan and Wacker and the #X28 going to Union Station. The westbound #55 Garfi eld will transport you to the Green Line, the Red Line, and Midway Airport; and the eastbound #55 will take you to the Museum of Science and Industry. The #X55 provides additional rush hour service along this route.

Trains The “el” (elevated) trains run all over the city. There are three stations near Hyde Park. The Red and Green Lines both stop on 55th Street (Garfi eld Boulevard) near the Dan Ryan Expressway. The Green Line also stops at East 63rd Street and Cottage Grove Avenue.

Metra

Many longtime residents consider Metra commuter trains to be the fastest and most comfortable way to get to the Loop. Trains run daily from the following local stations:

  • 51st-53rd Streets (handicapped accessible)
  • 55th-56th-57th Streets (A ticket office is located at 57th Street. The 57th Street station is handicapped accessible.)
  • 59th Street

Find schedules on the Internet at www.metrarail.com, at any Metra station, or at the Reynolds Club.

South Shore to NW Indiana

You can board a commuter train at 57th between the Loop and northwest Indiana. information, visit www.nictd.com.

Taxi Service

Yellow Cab and Checker Cab can both be reached by calling 312-TAXICAB (312-829-4222).

Parking on Campus at Night and on Weekends

All University parking lots and the Ellis Avenue Parking Structure are free to anyone after 4 p.m. weekdays and all weekend. Cars must be removed by 8 a.m. the following day throughout the week or by 8 a.m. Monday after weekends. Most University parking lots, including the Ellis Avenue Parking Structure, have emergency phones and are lighted well. See http://facilities.uchicago.edu/transpparking/index.html for more information.