Valparaiso sets rules for riding Chicago Loop commuter bus

BY PHIL WIELAND, Times of Northwest Indiana
pwieland@nwitimes.com

VALPARAISO | No smoking, no drinking and no loud music or other audio annoyances will be allowed on the ChicaGo Dash buses.

The city's board of Public Works and Safety adopted rules and regulations for the passengers at its Aug. 14 meeting. The city plans to begin providing two buses each morning and evening from the station at Lincolnway and Campbell Street to Chicago's Loop beginning Oct. 6.

Audio devices, except when used with earphones, are prohibited, and passengers are even required to put their cell phones, PDAs and pagers on vibrate to avoid disturbing other riders. The rules are similar to those for riders on the South Shore commuter trains.

Free parking will be available at the station behind the Franklin House on a first come, first served basis. Overnight parking will not be allowed. Bicycle racks will be available on the buses the city has ordered. Free Enterprise System, which will operate the service for the city, will offer the use of bus luggage compartments for bikes.

Although tickets will be available from drivers, passengers are encouraged to buy them in advance by going on the service's Web site, which still is being set up, or using the ticket kiosk in the Village Station terminal at the north end of the Franklin House. All purchases must be made by credit or debit card.

Seating is limited to 50 riders per bus, and no standing room is allowed.

Children younger than 12 must be accompanied by an adult, and children younger than 2 carried in the arms of an adult or sitting on their lap will be allowed to ride free. Animals are not allowed on the bus except those assisting a disabled person. Service animals must be under control and cannot be in the aisle or in a seat.

Briefcases or packages must be stored in the overhead racks and are not allowed in the aisle or on a seat. No weapons, except those carried by law enforcement personnel, are allowed on the buses. "Noxious smelling" items or anything that might be considered a health, safety or general welfare threat to the passengers also are prohibited.

The buses will arrive at Village Station 25 minutes before the morning departure times and will be at the Loop pickup sites 10 minutes prior to scheduled afternoon departures. The service will begin with two buses, one leaving at 5:45 and 6:15 a.m. weekday mornings. They will arrive back at Village Station at 6:10 and 7 p.m.