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<li><p>What’s the difference between the CTA and Metra?
Metra is more expensive and a little nicer of a train. I don’t know specifics, but the only time I’ve used the Metra was to access the suburbs (to go to someone’s house), and it cost like $10 or something. The El is $2 each way and is what everyone uses to get into Chicago. Both have stops in Evanston though, a block apart.</p></li>
<li><p>What are some ways to get to downtown Chicago from NU excluding cab rides and driving?
The El is probably your best bet. And during rush hour, you can take the express train that runs right from the Purple Line stop in Evanston into Chicago without having to transfer at Howard to the Red Line (all in all, a 20ish minute trip, as compared to the usual 30-40 minute trip). Another option is to take the Intercampus shuttle which runs from our campus to the NU Chicago campus, which is near where a lot of people take the El to anyway. I’ve never done this but it seems like a pretty effective way to get into Chicago, and for free with a Wildcard. </p></li>
<li><p>Is there like a deal for NU students to use the public transportation?
No, just the Intercampus shuttle will get you into Chicago for free. However, if you take a class or something that requires you to get into the city (I know Medill students who had to do broadcast projects and film in Chicago), you will be provided with a U Pass to do so. But otherwise, no sweet deals.</p></li>
<li><p>I think I’ve heard about an NU shuttle bus that runs every five minutes to and from Chicago for students? Can anyone fill me in on this?
Every 5 minutes? Hardly. The only NU shuttle that runs into Chicago is the Intercampus shuttle. It comes about every half hour during operating hours. Here is the schedule:
<a href=“http://www.univsvcs.northwestern.edu/shuttles/inter2.html[/url]”>http://www.univsvcs.northwestern.edu/shuttles/inter2.html</a></p></li>
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