The City of Valparaiso has announced several upgrades to its transit services, enhancing the service for riders. “We’re talking to our riders and responding to their requests for added times and conveniences,” said Tyler Kent, Valparaiso’s Transit Director. “Our ridership continues to grow and we’re committed to providing cost-effective and convenient transportation for our residents, commuters, and visitors,” he said.
The following enhancements will be made to the ChicaGo Dash express bus service to Chicago:
- Beginning Monday, Aug. 31, a third bus will be added on weekdays, leaving Valpo’s Village Station at 7:15 am and arriving in Chicago beginning at 8:20 am. The existing departures at 6:00 am and 6:40 am will remain the same. ChicaGo Dash will also add one more departure from Chicago, so that a bus will now depart Chicago at 3:40, 4:40 and 5:25.
- Beginning Saturday, Aug 29, a second bus to Chicago will be added on Saturdays. The first bus will continue to leave Village Station at 10:00 am and the additional bus will leave Village Station at 3:00 pm. Two buses will return riders to Valparaiso: one returning at 8:00 pm and one returning at midnight.
- ChicaGo Dash will celebrate September as Customer Appreciation month. Beginning Aug. 31 and continuing for the entire month of September, fares will be reduced from $7.50 to $5 per ride or $50 for a 10-ride pass and $160 for a monthly pass.
- The “Guaranteed Ride Home” service has been extended through the end of 2009. The Guaranteed Ride means that riders can take the South Shore #117 or #19 trains from Chicago to Dune Park Station and then catch Valpo’s V-Line bus to ride back to Village Park Station.
- Tickets for the ChicaGo Dash are available online at chicagodash.com or from the kiosk at Valpo’s Village Station, located adjacent to the Franklin House, 58 Campbell Street in Valparaiso (1 block south of Lincolnway). Parking at Village Station is free.
V-Line Enhancements:
Beginning Aug. 24, 2009, Valpo’s V-Line intra-city bus service will offer the following enhancements:
- The Orange Route will be extended to include hourly trips on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Friday service will begin at 2:20 pm and end at 8:10 pm. Weekend service will run between 8:47 am and 8:47 pm.
- The Brown Route will add service to Ivy Tech and Valparaiso Walk (Best Buy, Bed Bath and Beyond). Brown Route will provide service between 2:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
- The Green and Yellow Routes will have extended hours, running until 8:00 pm Monday through Saturday.
For more information about V-Line service, visit the city’s web site at Valpo.us and click on the V-Line link.