chicago ave bus (Washington, Clinton, Madison: transferring to, train, offices)

[enator]

Anybody know of the best way to get to the loop from the UK Village? The Chicago Street bus is fine going into the loop, but then transferring to the Milwaukee bus or Blue line is usually terrible. On the way back, it's tough to get on the Chicago bus.

Anybody know of any better way? I was thinking maybe the Damen bus to Lake, if Lake has a bus running on it.

[scarletneon]

why even get on the Milwaukee bus? what's wrong with the blue line?

[enator]

getting on the blue line at milwaukee can be tough. it's been packed the few times I've tried it (plus the milwaukee bus practically lets me off at my offices' front door).

[Attrill]

Where in the Loop are you heading to? I used to commute into the Loop from Chicago/Damen, I'd take the Grand Ave. bus and then just walk for 5 minutes to get to my office. A lot of times I'd just walk the entire way - it takes about 45 minutes.

[enator]

my office is right by the sears (willis) tower. It would be a pretty far walk from the Grand bus

[jdiddy]

If you don't want to wait for the bus, and don't like missing trains because its crowded on the blue line, you can either schedule it so you're not getting a blue line train when they're most crowded (ie, right before 9), or stay on the bus until the Brown Line. I'd just get to work a little earlier.

[Johnny Northside]

If you are any distance south and/or west of Chicago & Damen, quickest way to the Loop is to hoof it over to the Western Avenue Metra station south of Grand and it's a 10-minute ride to Union Station.

Barring that...

Damen Bus to the west leg of the Blue Line at Medical Center. Blue Line to probably LaSalle (unless office is far enough west of Sears Tower that Clinton makes more sense).

Or there's an X20 Madison/Washington Express bus that makes limited stops, including Damen.

[Attrill]

You could try taking the Damen bus North to the Damen Blue Line stop - you'd be headed in the wrong direction, but you'd have a much better chance of getting on a train there than at Chicago. I also agree that shifting your commute by 1/2 hour can help a lot.

[archview]

Your first mistake is using the CTA, crappy customer service, busses never on time, always crowed.

Ever tried walking, i hear its great for the libido.

[WhaThe]

Recently I've just started going into work earlier. Seem that if I jump on the train between 7-730am I can get a seat most times. Much better commute. I also try to leave work a little earlier if I can and have good luck also. There does seem to be a rush period where it's hard to get on the train sometimes if you are close to downtown. Red, Blue, or Brown line.