Skip to main content

Service Updates

 This page is updated with changes for Shuttle Services, Evanston Parking, and Chicago Parking announcements.

Shuttle Service Updates

Fall Quarter Shuttle Service Information

As we welcome students back to campus, here is some important shuttle information to keep in mind.

Safety Reminders

  • Use marked crosswalks: Please use the closest marked crosswalk and abide by traffic light signals, especially along Sheridan Rd.
  • Use Caution around construction project sites: With several capital projects underway on campus, please pay attention to signage and moving vehicles.
  • Safety is a shared responsibility: Be mindful of yourself, look out for those around you, and be aware of your surroundings.

Shuttle Wildcard Tap/Reader Implementation

During this academic year, we have been working with our shuttle vendor to implement a new Wildcard tap reader system on the shuttle buses. This new system will allow Transportation & Parking to better understand ridership trends and confirm University affiliation.

Beginning Monday, April 14, a testing period will occur where riders will tap their Wildcard when boarding a shuttle. The Wildcard reader system will provide a valid or invalid notification. At this time, an invalid notification will result in a closer examination of your Wildcard’s expiration date. If your Wildcard expiration date has not passed, you can continue to ride the shuttle. If you feel your invalid notification is incorrect, please complete a Wildcard Reader Testing Form so Transportation & Parking can investigate why you received an invalid notification.

As a reminder, shuttles are a free service for University students, faculty, and staff with presentation of a valid Wildcard. Expired Wildcards are not accepted. For information on how to replace or request a Wildcard, please visit the Wildcard site.

Chicago Train Station Shuttles Ended Mar. 28

Northwestern and campus partners including Northwestern Memorial HealthCare, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab have worked closely with Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) to offer current and enhanced safe options to replace the existing Chicago Train Station Shuttle service.

Service to/from Ogilvie Transportation Center, to/from Union Station, to/from Millenium Station, to/from LaSalle Street Station as well as the Chicago Evening Loop shuttle ended March 28. Please see the Metra Train Station Travel webpage for travel information.

The current shuttle bus program has been operating the same general routes as many CTA bus routes, duplicating services to Streeterville. This change costs monthly riders less money, is a comparable price for daily riders, and is better for the environment by eliminating 52 bus runs from the Streeterville campus. Additionally, partnering with the CTA offers a larger fleet of buses with a more comprehensive maintenance schedule.

 

Evanston Parking Announcements

2025-26 Parking Permits

2025-26 parking permits are available for purchase.

  • Student and contractor permits are available for purchase at the Evanston Parking Office.
  • Currently, faculty and staff can purchase permits in person at the Parking Office while we prepare for online renewal. 
  • As outlined in the Evanston Campus Parking Policies, temporary permits are non-refundable. Please note temporary permits can be purchased on a daily or monthly basis.

Football Operations Parking Lot Closures

Northwestern Football is playing home games at Northwestern Medicine Field again for the 2025 season. Some parking lots will be closed and used for game day operations. Please see Athletics’ Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium Guide for additional game day information.

  • Cook Hall East Lot (#122): The lot will close Thu, Sep. 11 at 10 p.m. Vehicles left in the lot will be towed.
  • North Garage (#105): The lot will be closed on Sat, Sep. 13. Vehicles in the lot Saturday morning may be towed.
  • Noyes/Haven/Sheridan Lot (#132): The lot will be closed on Sat, Sep. 13. Vehicles in the lot Saturday morning may be towed.
  • Northwestern Place Lot (#118): The lot will be closed on Sat, Sep. 13. Vehicles in the lot Saturday morning may be towed.
  • Library Place Lot (#130): The lot will be closed on Sat, Sep. 13. Vehicles in the lot Saturday morning may be towed.
  • Blomquist Gym Lot (#129): The lot will be closed on Sat, Sep. 13. Vehicles in the lot Saturday morning may be towed.
  • South Beach Structure – Upper Level (#214): The lot will be closed on Sat, Sep. 13. Vehicles in the lot Saturday morning may be towed.

If you are attending the game, please review Athletics’ Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium Guide and Lakeside Field Parking map.

Vehicle Storage

Parking of vehicles for over 48 consecutive hours is prohibited. This includes all holiday and academic break periods.

Contractor parking

Construction contractors for all capital projects are prohibited from parking in all main campus lots. This includes North Garage (# 105), South Garage (# 211) and South Beach two level structure (# 214, 215).

Lot Closures

  • The following lots will be closed on Tue, Sep. 9 for Student Move-In activities. We expect campus lots and North and South garages to fill quickly. Please consider using public transportation or parking in the Engelhart Hall Lot (239), located near the Foster St. and Maple Ave. intersection, or the ITEC Lot (248), located behind the Hilton Garden Inn on Maple Ave. Please refer to the Evanston Parking Map for all alternative parking locations. We apologize for any inconvenience.
    • Patten Gym (#109)
    • Sargent Hall (#111)
    • Elder Hall (#133)
    • Locy (#208)
    • 619 Clark (#226)
    • University Place (#230 and #231)
    • 711 Elgin (#232)
    • Foster-Walker North (#235)

Major Events

  • Football Home Games: Northwestern will host home football games at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium on the below dates. Information about lot closures is posted above in the Football Operations Parking Lot Closures section.
    • Sat, Sep. 13 - Oregon
    • Sat, Sep. 27 - UCLA
    • Sat, Oct. 4 - ULM
    • Sat, Oct. 18 - Purdue

Chicago Parking Announcements

2025-26 Parking Permits

Parking on the Chicago campus is at capacity and most lots are now operating on a waitlist procedure.

Monthly Contractor Parking

We are sorry, but at this time we are not able to process new requests for contractor parking.

If you have an existing monthly contractor permit, you may renew it by going to the Erie Ontario Garage Customer Service Office located on Ontario Street near the first floor vehicle exit, just east of the southeast elevator lobby. Fill out the monthly renewal form at the office and make your payment there. You can renew your parking access Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. In an effort to reduce cash handling, please utilize credit cards or checks for your payments.

d