Is take the redline at night dangerous (Chicago, Oak Park: crime, transfer)

[evissone]

I am a big chicago fan, and hope someday I can find a way to move there. However, I have heard about crime problems in Chicago a lot. One common warning is never take the red line south of downtown at night, as it will be pretty risky. In fact, I was suggested to take an express bus to Uof Chicago instead of the subway since it doesn't make stops at shaddy areas.

Is this a legitimate concern?

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by evissone

I am a big chicago fan, and hope someday I can find a way to move there. However, I have heard about crime problems in Chicago a lot. One common warning is never take the red line south of downtown at night, as it will be pretty risky. In fact, I was suggested to take an express bus to Uof Chicago instead of the subway since it doesn't make stops at shaddy areas.

Is this a legitimate concern?

Yes, and perhaps less about the train itself, but then having to wait for the bus in one of the worst neighorhoods in the city.

[SJaye]

Originally Posted by jdiddy

Yes, and perhaps less about the train itself, but then having to wait for the bus in one of the worst neighorhoods in the city.

To and from the University of Chicago from downtown, it is not only safer, but faster to take the express bus. To take the red line, you would have to take a bus from the Garfield Red Line stop.

One problem, however, is that the express busses don't run overnight, they stop at midnight, 1AM, something like that, while the red line and the 55th/Garfield bus runs all night. So, if you have to get to the UofC from downtown at like 3 AM, that is the only way to go besides taking a cab.

[ole69]

Or the Green Line, which I don't recommend.

Or Metra, but I don't know how late those trains run, but when I was at U of C, I opted for Metra most of the time

[aragx6]

The express bus is faster because the red line doesn't go directly to the university, so even aside from safety concerns the express bus is your best bet.

[chirack]

Originally Posted by evissone

I am a big chicago fan, and hope someday I can find a way to move there. However, I have heard about crime problems in Chicago a lot. One common warning is never take the red line south of downtown at night, as it will be pretty risky. In fact, I was suggested to take an express bus to Uof Chicago instead of the subway since it doesn't make stops at shaddy areas.

Is this a legitimate concern?

While crime does occur on the CTA, the biggest problem(i.e. when you are most in danger) is walking to and from the bus(or train), waiting for the bus or train. This danger is much greater a night when there are fewer people around.

I would advoid the CTA after about 7PM if I have the option. Not that it is extreme danger but the latter it gets and the fewer people around the more trouble you are likely to have.

[emathias]

Originally Posted by chirack

...

I would advoid the CTA after about 7PM if I have the option. Not that it is extreme danger but the latter it gets and the fewer people around the more trouble you are likely to have.

7pm? In the summer the sun sets after 8pm, and dusk lasts at least 30 minutes after that, so you're looking at nearly 2 more hours of daylight.

On the North Side or downtown, I think you're safe using the CTA almost any hour. If you are particularly nervous or have poor city awareness skills, maybe stop using it after about 10pm.

For the Pink Line, Forest Park Blue Line, and Lake/Oak Park branch of the Green Line, you're okay east of Damen for pretty much the same hours.

For the Red Line Dan Ryan (south branch) and Green Line south branch, you're pretty much fine from 35th and north. Most of the Orange Line is fine during those hours, too.

Where it's sketchiest really is south of 35th on the Green and Red Lines, west of Damen on the Pink, Forest Park Blue, and Green Lines. Additionally the Wilson stop on the Red Line can be sketchy pretty much anytime.

These are are general guidelines. IF you're a solitary, petite woman, you may want to exercise additional caution anywhere you go, not just on the CTA.

[CoolSocks]

Last summer I took the redline late (around 1-3am) on many weekends (and one random Tuesday haha) and I never had an issue. I also had to get off at Howard and wait for a bus and no one bothered me, although at times it was a little creepy. I'm planning on taking the redline late when I live there too, but will hopefully not have to transfer at Howard.

Like I wrote in another thread, people have told me to sit in a car close to the CTA operator/driver when riding late at night.

[Manigault]

Originally Posted by jdiddy

Yes, and perhaps less about the train itself, but then having to wait for the bus in one of the worst neighorhoods in the city.

Waiting for the bus at Garfield and the Ryan is not all that dangerous nor lonely nor secluded. Many UofC students do it far into the night. I did it last night.

The best way to the UofC from downtown remains the bus, the #6 express, or, to the north part of Hyde Park, the #2 express bus. The X28 also serves Hyde Park from Union Station.

Buses are safe to ride at night. Avoid the green line after dark.

[ajolotl]

I basically agree with Manigault. It is far more common these days for students to take the Red Line back to the U of C very late at night (vs the 80s or 90s). Not that it is an entirely pleasant spot to stand while you wait for the Garfield bus, but it would hardly be an oddity, you wouldn't really stand out, and the vast majority of people do it without incident. Sort of just depends on your tolerance for that sort of thing.