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Service Updates

This page is updated with service changes and announcements.

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Shuttle Service Updates

New Pilot Route: Hop Around Evanston

We're excited to introduce Hop Around Evanston, a new pilot shuttle route created in partnership with the Office of Neighborhood and Community Relations and the Evanston Chamber of Commerce. This free service helps connect the campus community with Evanston's vibrant dining, shopping, and entertainment districts.

The route is open to all Northwestern students, faculty, and staff, as well as Evanston residents.

Hop Around Evanston operates on Saturday evenings from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. throughout Spring Quarter.

View the full route map, stop locations, and real-time schedule in TripShot.

Spring Quarter Operating Dates:

  • Sat, April 25
  • Sat, May 2
  • Sat, May 9
  • Sat, May 16
  • Sat, May 23
  • Sat, May 30
  • Sat, June 6
  • Sat, June 13
  • Sat, June 20

Chicago Express Shuttle

Associated Student Government is again funding the Chicago Express route for the 2025-26 academic year. The route connects the Evanston campus with downtown Chicago destinations such as the Magnificent Mile, Chicago Northwestern campus, and Millennium and Grant Parks. The shuttle operates on the following days for Spring Quarter:

  • Sat, April 25
  • Sat, May 2
  • Sat, May 9
  • Sat, May 23
  • Sat, May 30

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 January 2026, a testing period commenced where riders 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. 

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.
  • Faculty and staff may sign up for the annual sticker using the online portal.
  • 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.

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

  • Cook Hall East Lot (#122): Closed at 11pm on Tue., April 28 through Wed., April 29 for the Chicago Stars FC match.
  • North Parking Garage (#105): Beginning at 5pm on Wed., April 29, Chicago Stars FC tickets will be required for entry through the conclusion of the match.
  • Noyes/Haven/Sheridan Lot (#132): Beginning at 5pm on Wed., April 29, Chicago Stars FC tickets will be required for entry through the conclusion of the match.
  • Northwestern Place/Garrett Lot (#118): Beginning at 5pm on Wed., April 29, Chicago Stars FC tickets will be required for entry through the conclusion of the match.
  • Lakeside Structure-Upper Level (#214): Beginning at 5pm on Wed., April 29, Chicago Stars FC tickets will be required for entry through the conclusion of the match.
  • ITEC Lot (#248): City of Evanston Farmers' Market - Saturdays, beginning May 2, 2026 through November 21, 2026.

Major Events

  • Chicago Stars FC: The Chicago Stars FC will have matches on Wed., April 29, and Sun., May 3. Please see the 'Lot Closures' section for more details. The 'Lot Closures' section will be updated for each match.
  • Kellogg Reunion: Kellogg will host their annual reunion on Fri., May 1 and Sat., May 2.  This is a weekend event for alumni to reunite with the Kellogg community on the Evanston campus.  With the added demand for parking spaces, including in the North and South Campus Parking Garages, faculty, students, and staff are encouraged to allow extra time to locate parking on these dates.

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. Faculty and staff with a 25 sticker may renew using the online portal.

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.