Hop On, Hop Off: How Do Loyola Chicago Students Get Around?

As the 7:00 am Red Line train pulls into the Loyola stop just off Sheridan, Loyola University Chicago students file in for their routine trek to the Water Tower Campus. But for many students, they tread with caution. Just three weeks ago, On August 25^th, someone was beaten and robbed by someone with a firearm just outside the station.

For all Loyola students, transportation is crucial. Whether it be the daily visit downtown to Corboy Law Center for class, or to go uptown to the Glenwood Sunday Market. Fortunately, for Loyola students, there are many modes of transportation, The Red Line, The Loyola Shuttle, and the CTA Bus. Each comes with their own set of charms and challenges.

After interviewing a variety of people, the unanimous answer was “it really depends.” Chicago transportation is notorious for being unpredictable. Almost every account had a Red Line horror story, a complaint about the shuttle not showing up on time or having the 147 not showing up at all.

Sasha Silverman, a junior Visual Communications major, has class at Loyola’s Water Tower Campus in the School of Communication twice a week. “I often opt for the shuttle because it’s the easiest when I have multiple classes on the two campuses in a day.” The shuttle is Loyola’s own direct transportation, reserved for students and staff which, holds a lot of appeal. It goes directly from one campus to another via Lake Shore Drive. Depending on the time of day, the shuttle will either be packed or empty, show up on time or not at all, or be stuck in traffic, or fly home in under 20 minutes.

“I tend to prefer the bus.” Said Nate Jimenez, a sophomore Film student. “It’s the most peaceful to me. I get on, I get downtown in 25 minutes or less, and there’s always a stop for the 147-bus close by.” When considering safety and convenience, buses seem to be the best compromise. “Though there have been multiple times where the bus either didn’t come so I had to take the Red Line, or I get stuck in traffic and wish I would’ve taken the Red Line.” It’s a common trade-off for Loyola students: while busses may feel safer, quicker, and comfortable, their reliability isn’t certain. Consistent delays, unpredictable traffic, and long waits between bus arrivals can push students to opt for the Red Line – despite safety concerns.

“Red Line all the way.” Ellie Kummer, a Junior Criminology student says. “I feel like it comes pretty often… I also live off campus and there’s a stop close by.” For many students, whether they are upperclassmen, commuters, or simply live in dorms that are further from the shuttle stop, the iconic Red Line is the way to go. Despite its reputation, the Red Line is efficient. With 33 stops from Howard to 95^th/ Dan Ryan, and everything in between, “the L”, as some students call it, helps gets them everywhere they need to go.

“But of course, I would never take it at night- especially if I was alone.” When walking onto a train car on the Red Line, it’s less than likely that something will happen. There are approximately 1.7 violent crimes for every 100,000 rides. However, several accounts claimed they have experienced sexual harassment, verbal harassment, and violence on the train, especially at night. One student who chooses to remain anonymous recalled a time when a man was inappropriately touching himself to her on her way home from the bar with friends. When she walked away, he threw an object at her head at her and yelled at her.

At Loyola, getting around Chicago isn’t one-size-fits-all. Some students swear by the shuttle, others ride the 147 for peace and speed, while the red Line takes you just about anywhere. The takeaway? No matter your route, every trip tells a story – a small adventure through the city streets, train cars, and buses that make Loyola life move. So, whether you’re on the L, the bus, or the shuttle, one thing is clear: getting around Chicago is part of the Loyola experience itself.