Greyhound eyes Normal to Chicago bus route from Uptown Station

Posted on January 21, 2019
Greyhound
Greyhound wants to start Normal to Chicago route via Uptown Station beginning Wednesday, according to Normal’s town staff. (Greyhound photo)

 

By Howard Packowitz

Greyhound wants to become the third bus company offering routes from Uptown Station in Normal, joining Peoria Charter and Burlington Trailways.

The service is expected to begin Wednesday, only a week after Greyhound notified town leaders about its intention to offer a new option for travelers wanting to take a bus to Chicago.

The Town Council will be asked on the eve of the new service to grant the city manager permission to negotiate a licensing agreement with Greyhound like deals the town government made with the competing bus firms.

Fees paid annually to the town could run from $3,240 to $7,740, according to the staff’s report.

The town said the new route to begin Wednesday runs from Danville to Chicago, with stops in Champaign, Normal, Oglesby, Rochelle, Rockford, and Elgin.

Greyhound’s website said fares start at $29. Wednesday’s departure time from Uptown Station is 1:30 p.m., arriving in Chicago at 7:05 p.m.

A Chicago-to-Normal bus departs the Windy City at 6:45 a.m., arriving at Uptown Station at 11:25 a.m, according to Greyhound’s website.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

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