CTA commute from Oak Park to downtown (Chicago: home, transfer)

[k3200n]

I am considering moving to Oak Park in the near future. I work downtown at Michigan/Lake. Both the Green Line and the Blue Line would be pretty convenient.

My question is, how safe are they, especially at night when I may have to work late? (I take the Red Line now up to Thorndale, for what it's worth.)

Should I opt for the Metra and then take a connecting bus from Ogilvie?

Thanks!

[mdz]

Both those lines are fine during day, a lot of people use them during the rush hour periods so I wouldn't worry about that.

Night would depend on you.

If you're a woman I'd consider taking the metra home on those late days. Conductors on the train so much safer. chances of something happening are pretty low but I know I wouldn't be excited to let my wife take the green (or blue) line home alone at 9 pm.

If you're a guy, I'd just do what I always do--mind my own business, be alert, don't make eye contact with the crazies, and you should be fine.

mdz

[Drover]

Take either the CTA train and bus, or the Metra train and walk -- one or the other. The problem you face with transfering from a Metra to a CTA bus is that the systems and fare structures are not merged, so you'd have to pay full fare for both. A CTA full-fare bus ride costs $1.75 whether you ride the bus for one block or for 40 miles. On the other hand, Green Line will take you right to State & Lake for a grand total of four bucks round-trip (or $3.15 round-trip if you use a Chicago Card) and you wouldn't need to take a transfer bus. But if you take the Metra and then hop a bus, you pay an extra $3.50 per day in transportation costs. That may not sound like much, but that would more than double the cost of using the Green Line alone, and assuming a standard 5-day work week, that adds up to nearly $70 a month.

[k3200n]

The Metra used to offer a CTA link-up card for monthly users...do they no longer offer that?

[mdz]

they do, but it's a bit confusing. Last I heard, you have to have a monthly metra pass, it's 36 bucks/month, but it's only good during rush hours (ie 6-9:30 am, 3:30-7pm).