Public transportation in Springfield IL (rental car, rentals, school)

[SilverTeabox]

Could anyone give me some information if I will be able to get around/survive in Springfield IL without a car? Thanks!

[chet everett]

There are some public transit routes that work for employees at the hospital and some State offices but these routes do not fully cover all potential areas with rentals / shopping areas and few if any options for entertainment. Survive? If you plan out your rental carefully you ought to be able to find something close to some kinds of jobs. Beyond that, iffy...

[SilverTeabox]

Thanks Chet! Someone told me there was a bus-stop no further than 3 blocks away (zipcode: 62704). Was that incorrect?

[chet everett]

Not sure what you are asking -- seems unlikely that every potential rental in 62704 is three blocks or less from bus stop, but then I have not memorized Zip code boundaries

It can be a very boring town, car might come in handy but you ought to be able to get to job / work if working in a location like hospital / state offices ...

[ThreeSides]

Originally Posted by SilverTeabox

Could anyone give me some information if I will be able to get around/survive in Springfield IL without a car? Thanks!

If you haven't already, you should post this in the Illinois forum. I've lived downstate. Buses and cabs seemed adequate. That said, post in the Illinois forum.

[madpaddy]

SMTD - Springfield Mass Transit District

If you look at the map, the area of bus service looks fairly comprehensive. When you look at the schedule, however, you realize its a system mostly for getting people to and from work/school. Service after 6pm is quite limited. I don't think there's any service on Sunday.

Depending on where you live and when/where you work, its possible you could survive without a car in Springfield. But trust me, you're going to want to have one.

[SkyTrekTower]

The bus system is pretty efficient and on time in Springfield. I went to University of Illinois Springfield which is on the southern edge of the city far from anything, and the bus system helped me get around as I had no car. The bus system will get you to pretty much any tourist/retail option you'd like. As said above, it helps to have a car in Springfield, but you can do adequately without one.

[SilverTeabox]

Thanks SkyTrekTower! So were you able to get around on the bus during the weekends and in the evenings while you were there?

[SkyTrekTower]

I was on the rare occasion I needed the bus during those times, but they run at reduced hours at those times. Most of the time I took the bus was during the week in late morning and late afternoon/early evening. From what I saw though, they still run frequently enough on weekends and in the evenings to still go places.

[SilverTeabox]

Thanks again SkyTrekTower!!!