Pretty wide area with some seating but not a lot. Only on benches scattered in the area. There is a large heating area for when it's cold. Pick-up/drop-off is easy because of the roundabout layout. Not a lot of parking though. Steps away from 7-11. read more

Jefferson Park Transit Center - Transportation Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Awesome place! I travel from here a lot. Buses are nice and the crime here is during the night. The blue line is pretty safe on the north side so I have no issue. The metra here is awesome too! read more

I grew up in the city, so I took this for the CTA blue line and the 81 bus home. The depot has a plethora of CTA, and upstairs, Metra. Now that I'm all grown-up, I take the Metra, hence this specific review is for the Metra stop. Parking for this as of Feb 12, 2016 is $1.50, and at least on a Friday, there were plenty of spots left in the Metra parking lot. There are two vending machines which takes some special vending card (NOT your credit card. I stood there like a doofus swiping my credit card 90x until I realize the slot was not for credit cards, but for whatever proprietary card they use). They also have have a mobile app where Parkmobile users can pay by calling 877-727-5004 (location id 225). There is a limited amount of free street parking alongside Northwest Highway, but it looks like that gets filled quick. Other than that, the neighboring streets all require Chicago Permit 101 in order to park, or you can try Long Ave, but the parking there is in 2-hr increments, which is silly. Overall, Jefferson Park Transit Center hosts the Metra, Pace, and CTA, and is your one-stop shop to get yourself to and fro. read more

Jefferson Park Transit Center - Courtesy of Parkopedia's website - Transportation Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've been relying on the Blue Line 4eva. The first time I took the Blue line downtown Jefferson Park was still the end of the line before the extension out to O'Hare. At the time my Ma & Pa lived in Mt Prospect near Camp McDonald & River road. I would drive to Golf Mill where I would take a bus to Jefferson Park for my trip downtown. The Jefferson Park hub is a major transportation center not just for the Blue Line Train, but all the buses that come to the terminal. In addition there is a Metra train stop at the Jefferson Park location. Back in the day when I worked downtown I relied on the Blue line for daily commute. What a nightmare to have to drive downtown, fight the traffic & then pay $30-$40 dollars for parking. Why when you can kick back on the train without all the aggravation. The train goes all the way into O'Hare to the Northwest, downtown along Dearborn then swings west to the end of the line at Forest Park. read more

President's Day 2018 and I've had this review draft on the back burner... Thomas Jefferson is here! This CTA & PACE bus/ blue line L/ Metra transit center is functional, pretty clean, and generally well-lit. You've got a panhandler with the baseball cap out and a regular old pay phone for some added charm. You got your basic concessions but not 24 hours on those. Very open waiting area outside for busses (heat strips in play) and the full size bronze statue of our Founding Father, TJ, complete with the big document and quill is a nice tribute....or I suppose if you like leaning up against him while you smoke your cig or talk on your cell ...you are (italicized for effect) free to do so. Go Bears! read more

A well thought out, 3-platform level Station (rebuilt 1970) that continues to serve well today (2017). Increasing available retailers in the area throughout the years. Some seating available in the heating areas. Benches near the statue are recently added that works well in the summer, but not in the winter. RETAILERS near the Station are: Dunkin Donuts, Popeyes, Mexican breakfast place, a Chicago old school bar, etc ESCALATORS and ELEVATORS are always appreciated. On rush hours, there is a quick influx of commuters due to multiple bus routes that ends at JEFFERSON PARK. LOOK UP and you will see that there are labels for your next destination and/or commute. I'm told, the JEFFERSON PARK has the cheapest rent in Chicago area. read more

Jefferson Park Transit Center - Transportation Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Want to take a hike around? Park your car on Avondale Ave between Lawrence and Ainslie and go right ahead. The current ratio of taken/free car spots is 24/4. Jefferson Park Transit Center ties up CTA blue line trains connecting the O'Hare airport and Chicago downtown, with CTA buses, travelling within the city limits, and Metra trains of Union North Western Pacific line between Chicago and Harvard/Island Lake. Ever smell piss at CTA stations? That's because the whole fucking system has bathrooms available only for employees. The Metra station ticket room was not operating so I couldn't get a ticket in advance.. Really appreciate they still have working pay phones that may come in handy when your smartphone battery dies. As usual the plaza is dirty but who really cares? Functionality wise it could be better but all in all it worth 3 stars of 5. read more

Jefferson Park Transit Center - Transportation Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Zero bathrooms, "warming" stations for folks are a joke, very inhospitable, cold, & unwelcoming just like most CTA infrastructure

I thought about starting a miniseries of reviews on CTA trains, train stations, and buses once I have 1,000 reviews in. However, my Yelp page kept on pestering me to write one since I have more than 540 check-ins. Sure, why not commence my special series now? It wasn't too difficult to decide on which one to choose as the very first review. Jefferson Park Transit Center is my home station. I live in Portage Park, and CTA #85 (Central) or #91 (Austin) northbound bus takes me to JPTC, five (5) days a week, as the transfer to get me to the blue line O'Hare bound! Obviously, many Chicagoans know that famous/infamous blue line that takes you all the way to O'Hare International Airport Terminal 3, or Forest Park (an immediate west suburb) on the opposite direction. Do you know what buses also service at JPTC? I know them way too well at this point. - that insomniac #81 (Lawrence), eastbound all the way to Wilson/Marine near the Lakeshore Drive - that diagonally-run #56 (Milwaukee), southeast bound to Michigan/Washington, the downtown Loop -that horizontally-developed #92 (Foster), eastbound to CTA Berwyn Red Line station in Edgewater - that infrequent #68 (Northwest Hwy.), servicing to Norwood Park and Edison Park neighborhoods, ending at Park Ridge Metra - that not-so-centered #85 (Central), running through Portage Park, Belmont Central/Cragin, and Austin neighborhoods for the southbound route. The northbound ends at Bryn Mawr/Elston. - that mysterious #85A (N. Central), servicing to the affluent Edgebrook neighborhood. Yes, City of Chicago incorporated it sometime ago for taxation purposes. - that so-not-in-Texas #91 (Austin), passing through Jefferson Park, Portage Park/Dunning, Belmont Cragin, Galewood, Austin neighborhoods, with a southbound terminal stop at Roosevelt (in Oak Park) Other buses that service to JPTC are #88 (Higgins), Pace #270 (to Golf Mills), and Pace #226 (to Des Plaines Metra). I personally never witnessed #226 running, but for the record it should be actively in-service. There are two (2) heated waiting areas to keep you warm and toasty during the winter season. In terms of amenities, four (4) Ventura card adding machines, one (1) PNC ATM, "The Bagelers" coffee shop, and a convenience store are onsite. You can't easily catch Leo DiCaprio here at JPTC, but catch me if you can for I'm a regular. read more

For many years this was go to for mass transit, for school, work and more. Access to everything, Metra train, blue line train and pace bus routes to major cta buses. Nearby food locations makes to home dinner easier. The art center is always a good place to stop to check out and relax. The new coffee across the from the station is a new addition that I will check out soon. I was here because I was in the area. Brought back memories from traveling here. Great location, central hub for mass transit. Good to be back. See you soon. read more

Boy was I surprised to see a statue of founding father Thomas Jefferson installed this year at the Jefferson Park station. It's a touch of class at what is basically a utilitarian transportation terminal (CTA Blue Line, CTA and Pace buses, Metra rail). Another newfangled feature is some sort of sound system which broadcasts the bird calls of the natural predators of pigeons. I don't know how effective this can be in the long run, but so far there does seem to be fewer pigeons. read more

Jefferson Park Transit Center - Jefferson Park Transit Center - Transportation Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Like Alex said....The good is there is a myriad of ways to get here., and a few choices; CTA, PACE, Metra, and cabs. This is a CTA terminal thats been here for awhile, so it isnt spot fresh clean..and many ...odors have roamed this place, but for what it is, it DOES get the job done. I have been using the CTA/Pace route a few times, and the employees on the bus are usually friendly and talkative, buses are generally clean as it is public transportation, and the area itself isnt too bad at all for litter, and I been meaning to take a pic of the Thomas Jefferson Statue for a bit now. If you get here early this is a McDonalds across the street, a small dive which I reviewed earlier on (see Freddys Fast Food) and there is a small shop inside also (different owner from the last time.) Be advised, he takes no plastic so you need green. No chase machines (again annoying) but this had nothing to do with the terminal. Trains were timely and themselves clean and serviceable. I heard they were tlaking about upgrading them also....but I am not sure when this is to be implemented. And like Alex also described it...yes there are bums and evangelists (which makes me wonder why the evangelists help the homeless in their pursuit of good cause) but unless they are breaking the law or being unruly, it doesn't bother me too much except depress me alittle. read more

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Beats Chicago rush hour . Nice polite women to help. Argg such a pampered suburbanite

Feh. The long-promised sheltered entryways reek of piss and fear. They added two new benches to the Metra platform - hurrah. Pros: easy coffee and grub to go within minutes (even in the station); smokes &c for sale in-station; ATM; functional payphones; great bars within walking distance. Cons: odors; indolent CTA-folk read more

This is a very convenient transit center where Metra, El, and several bus lines all converge together. As such, it is incredibly busy so make sure you know where you're going and when you need to be there. There is a McDonalds, Dunkin' Donuts, and 7-11 across the street and down a block. There is a convenience store kiosk inside the station. There is an elevator. It, like the rest of the station, smells like urine, but it works. There are plenty of superfluous CTA workers sucking off the transit teat and doing absolutely no work that I can tell. There is currently construction to improve this stretch of Milwaukee Ave. I wish the exterior was more attractive - more vegetation would improve the impression of a concrete wasteland - and I wish the interior at least smelled less offensive, but really, this is an easily traversed hub in a nicer neighborhood. read more

Really? People are giving this place 4 stars? Granted, it's not the worst train / bus station I've ever seen, but in what way is this place any better than 2 stars? How low are your standards? For as large as the place is - with a major bus terminal, a metra line, and a Blue L line all converging at the same place, you'd think they'd have some better retail. The only thing they have is a cruddy newstand selling suspicious looking doughnuts and coffee I am not brave enough to try. If you want to drop someone off, there's no place to do that unless you drive illegally into bus lanes. If you have to get to O'Hare, this is a cheap way to get there, but the Blue L is so slow you better leave 3 hours before your flight. If you're going downtown, the Metra is the way to really fly (don't take the blue line as it's slower than driving during rush hour). I give this place 2 stars only because it's conveniently located. read more

I wish they would stop with the broadcasting of the bird calls. It sounds like this: SCREEEEECH!!! SCREEEECH!! Or take your fingernails and scrape them on a chalkboard and amplify that over a loudspeaker and you'll see what I mean. I can't see that it's really changed the amount of pigeons hanging out here. Every time I used the Jefferson Park CTA in the warmer seasons, the pigeons didn't seem deterred. In terms of a transit center, I can't really find much else to say about it. It is nice that you can hop on the Metra here and that it has a lot of shelter unlike some other CTA stops. read more

As CTA stations go, this one is definitely not the worst. Of course it's dirty and of course the employees there have bad attitudes and are pretty much useless and of course you have to navigate a maze of panhandlers everyday, but that's pretty much par for the course at every CTA station. At least it seems to be safer than many other CTA stations and at the end of the day it gets me where I want to go. read more

JP! Also known as Jefferson Park to none locals. I love this station because it houses I believe the most buses in Chicago. Oh and can't forget the blue line! Hello O'hare or maybe you prefer downtown? Whatever your traveling needs JP is the station to be. Heated waiting stations, Mc donalds, Snack shop, 7-11 and Dunkin Donuts all within a hop, jump or skip away. read more

Good hub for commuters. This location obviously has the train, but it always flows out to a relatively useful "bus terminal". Several different bus lines start and stop here. read more

Ok, so it is what it is - A Transit Center and let's not try to frill it up by saying it's something extraordinary in terms of styling, design, being hip or anything like that, simply it's a transit center. On the positive: If you live in or are in the NW-side of Chicago it links you to O'Hare, & the rest of the City very convenient. You have a lot of choices the CTA has the "L" Blue-Line and it's a massive buss terminal. There is also Metra for the serious rider and for the most part the CTA and Metra are on time too! If you drive garaged parking available for the rainy and snowy days and several shops mere yards away (like Dunkin, 7/11, subway, etc) for a quick breakfast or dinner. On the negative: It can get pretty crowded during rush hour, the place is old and looks it, and there is NO Free street parking! Metra has a lot, but only for Monthly Metra riders. Walking in the bus area can be really risky as they just whip around and my personal favorite - the God Awful Pee Smell, especially pleasant on those hot summer days. Again - it's simply a transit center! read more

I go through the Jeff Park station damn near daily. I've never taken the Metra from here, usually just the myriad of buses or the blue line. Jefferson Park is pretty decent. They do a fairly good job of keeping it clean, there are lots of places to get out of the wind/weather... My only complaints are: 1) The bird calls are ANNOYING-and don't seem to work, the place is almost overrun by pigeons 2) The mini-mart inside the station has horribly inconvenient hours read more

It's no Ogilvie, but for what it is, it's pretty darn good. I'm a Metra rider, and I recently moved from Irving Park to Jeff Park, and the Metra stations are like night and day. The Irving Park stop is basically a slab of asphalt with two or three overhangs, while the Jefferson Park Metra Station is -- how should I describe it? -- like an actual station! There's an escalator, an inside terminal so you don't have to wait outside, benches to sit on -- it's like a real station! I also like that there are newspaper guys underneath the terminal passing out copies of RedEye and selling the Sun-Times and Trib. It's quite the happening place. In the afternoons, there's also usually a very talented guy playing a wooden flute or a talented guy playing an electric violin or something. I like that they're supplying some tunes while I exit the terminal. I haven't used the bathrooms there (I'm not sure where they are or even if they have any), but they're probably gross, as would be expected. But overall, Jefferson Park Transit Center is pretty good. read more

Jefferson park blue line need to put back the bus the way they used too be 68 in the right spot and 92 on the right spot . And the bus should be time and some Of bus driver can be rude as hell too you and some Of the them drive all crazy about and when I ride of the bus they some Time. Miss my spot when I press it a block away which gets me mad because sometimes they thing for you press it doesn't work at all ugh . Cta needs a lot of help fixing there system read more

BEWARE VAGUE PARKING LOT RESTRICTIONS! CAN'T PARK HERE IF YOU'RE NOT A MONTHLY PASS-HOLDER. I'm really surprised I haven't seen any information about this on Yelp or any other forum. I'm an occasional Metra rider. When I take the train, I park in the Jeff Park lot and pay my fee, same as I would do in any other metra parking lot. No biggie. Haven't ever had an issue until now. Apparently, you must display a permit to park there in addition to paying the daily fee. I found this out after receiving a $26.00 ticket despite having paid to park. After scouring both Metra's and SP's websites to see if I missed something about a permit (there is nothing on either website), I contacted SP parking (the parking lot manager) to see why I received the ticket. I tell them that I only take the train occasionally and they informed me of the parking permit rule and directed me to the worlds tiniest sign, which notes that you have to display the permit. Ok, so my bad on this one - they were able to reverse the ticket as a one-time courtesy and tell me that I can get the permit from Metra. Great! Since this whole experience has felt like smoke and mirrors, I figure before I walk a mile to Ogilvie in 90 degree heat to get the permit, I'll confirm that they have them there. I call Metra and they inform me that you have to be a monthly rider to get that, no exceptions. *face palm* Glad I called. Moral of the story, don't park in the Jeff Park lot without a parking permit, daily fee, monthly pass, blood sample and first born. :-) read more

What makes this station unique is the fact that it's more than just the Blue Line. The Metra is also here, as well as a bus station with several routes available. I've used this station for years, using both the CTA Blue Line and buses, as well as the Metra. For those traveling, O'Hare is a short ride from this stop. Overall, it's a station that has a little bit of everything for city and suburban riders. read more

Your Go To transit center on the NW side of Chicago with CTA,Pace,Metra,and Blue Line connections. Union Pacific NW Metra line stops here as well as 3 Pace buses;225,226,and 270 along with CTA routes 56, 68,81,81w,85n,85s,85a,88,91,92.This can be a busy place during rush hour.There is a 7-11 & Dunkin Dounuts south of the terminal and a McDonalds and Jefferson Park grill north of it if you need to get your coffee or food fix on. read more

Where Metra, the El, CTA and Pace buses connect on the Northwest side. There is a convenience store, a cafe counter and friendly newspaper men in the morning. You can also meet a lot of politicians here during campaigns. My only beefs: the bus supervisor smoking cigars (seriously???) and everyone else smoking next to the no smoking signs (seriously!!!). read more

Be very careful when you buy items from the little convenience store in the Jefferson Park Terminal. I purchased the newspaper from this store yesterday and handed the man at the register a $20. He gave me change back as if I gave him a $10. I asked to speak to his manager. Mr. Patel was not willing to help solve this until I threatened to call the police on them. Mr. Patel told me to leave my name and phone number with them and he would call me back later that day. I refused to leave without my money. I then asked for the owner to come to the store. He said he was an hour and a half away by car. I then asked if the store had a camera and to review the camera to confirm the $20. It was then that Mr. Patel told his worker to give me my money back. They were going to make me wait until the end of the day when they could have just reviewed the camera. Beware of their scam. read more

Ventra is such a garbage system, the cards don't work and again I almost missed my train because I had to tap the damn card 8 times while some untrained cta employee just stood there with this blank look on her face. Luckily someone was holding the train door for me. read more

I admit that I'm probably a little biased writing this review. I would catch a Metra up to a friend's house in the NW suburbs at this station. It's not exactly the end all of stations, but it's not half-bad. You can pick up Metras, the Blue line, or buses here. The negative is that like other reviewers have stated, there is very little else here. It could do with a coffee shop or something! I guess there is a shopping center right outside of it (across from the bus terminals), but that doesn't really help you if you're running from one end to the other to try to catch a train. read more

This is a nice little terminal, providing commuters with access to all three public transit systems-CTA, Metra, and Pace. I love the statue at the outside of the terminal, so much that I snapped a couple pictures of it back in December. I like pigeons and I was pretty amused to see over three dozen of them huddled together inside a heating station. I think I may have took a picture of that too, don't remember. Good to see a McDonalds, 7-11, and what have you so close to this terminal. In that case, hundreds of commuters of CTA, Pace, and Metra can get something to eat or drink while waiting for their bus or train. They just better pray that they don't experience a fart attack on the bus or train after eating at the McDonalds. read more

Are we really doing this? Ok. Well it's transit center. It has 2 mini marts right next to each other inside. One is more like a off brand gateway newstand, the other is like an amy joy with hot dogs. Why 5 stars then? You need to realize that Jefferson park is a gateway to the world, literally. You can take Metra (union pacific northwest) to the city or the burbs, a CTA BUS anywhere, a PACE bus anywhere, or the L blue line all the way to o'hare (i.e. world) Did i mention that the blue line is the only train to O'hare, and for you midway peeps, you can transfer to the orange line at thompson center. a few restaurants are nearby, check the boxes to your right. read more

The place smells bad and there is no security at 9 PM. I was being followed by a homeless guy who was following me up the Metra stairs because I ignored him. You've probably seen this person because he constantly is there everyday saying that he doesn't have enough cash to ride the CTA and he does this pretty much everyday. There are also alot of people from the less ideal part of Chicago such as people from South Side which just romp around the station trying to cause trouble. If you need to take the CTA I recomend you go to the O'hare one escpecially at night. read more

Considering its a transit station, where pigeons and homeless folks are almost unavoidable-its extremely convenient. I like that there's a Metra,pace transit, & city buses that take you easily into downtown. I'd feel safer standing there late at night than at most other stations. Quick food is nearby and within the station The man who owns the little fast food mart didnt know how to do a debit & allowed my to come back later on with cash! How rare is that? read more

I like what they have done with the transit center. I use it every morning to get to work. Always a person in the booth willing to help if you have any problems. A+ here CTA! read more

What a pity! Chicago is always claiming to be the cleanest city, but you have to go take the train. This is a very important train station to the airport, but it is the filthiest one. Homeless living there, Jehova Wittnesses trying to convert you, people asking for money, drunks in the corner, garbage all over the place...and a lost hungry dog from time to time. Yo dont feel safe at all! Please go to Montrose. It is smaller, but cleaner and nobody bothers you. read more

Jehovah's Witnesses? Did anyone see one? I've heard they hang around but, I've looked and looked and can never find one when I need one! Any suggestions? Please let me know ASAP! read more