<p>I'm a new user.</p>
<p>I'm going to U of C next year, and had a question regarding transportation. Speaking to a friend of mine who will be attending UIC, I learned that their students get free CTA transportation by virtue of their enrollment at UIC. Anything of the sort at U of C?</p>
<p>Thanks,
Fringes</p>
<p>No, the University of Chicago does not offer free CTA. It is a controversial thing on campus. A study by the UofC about three years ago discovered that, on average, UofC students only take 1.5 bus trips per week (since most people never leave campus, this brings the average way down), so it would not be worth joining the Student CTA pass program, which costs about $300 per student. However, there has been talk lately that they may finally join the program for the 2006-2007 year. The CTA pass technically isn't "free", though. It is paid for in by tuition.</p>
<p>The UofC, does, however, have a contract with the CTA to provide three bus routes. The 171 and 172, which run within the Univeristy neighbourhood, are free. The 173, which goes downtown, is not free, but incredibly convinenent.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot.</p>