Page 187 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Chicago

TR A VEL INFORM A TION  185

roads and 55 mph (88 km/h) on
metro highways. You must wear
a seatbelt, and it is illegal to talk
on your cell phone while
driving. A right turn on a red
light is permitted unless a sign
prohibits it. Left turns are not
allowed at some intersections
during peak times, or are
allowed only when the green
arrow signal is illuminated.
Driving in Chicago’s busiest
neighborhoods (downtown,
A Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) tour of the city’s great buildings Lincoln Park, Wicker Park) can
be a harrowing experience,
$25–35 per person. Many $6 and a 10-ride pass costs $16. especially during rush hours
companies offer discounts Operating hours vary but all taxis and weekends.
when two or more tours per run 9:30am–5:30pm. Tickets can
person are purchased; be sure be bought on board any water
to ask. taxi, at a Wendella kiosk (located Parking
at Madison Street and Michigan Street parking in Chicago falls
Avenue docks), or at the main into three categories: free,
Taxis ticket office at 400 North metered, and restricted.
Taxis come in many colors and Michigan Avenue. Downtown, free street parking
models, but all are distinguishable Shoreline offers a service is scarce. Metered parking is the
by the taxi light on top of the every 15–20 minutes most readily available option.
cab. You will usually be able to (10am–6pm) from Navy Pier Meter boxes accept cash, coins
flag a vacant taxi on a busy to the Museum Campus and and credit cards; place the
street, or find one waiting near Willis Tower (commuter printed receipt on your
outside a hotel. If the taxi’s roof taxis run 7–9:20am and dashboard. Rates vary by
light is lit, it is available. In more 4–6:30pm). A one-day pass location, from $1.50 per hour
remote areas of the city, you costs $22 for adults, $11 for to $5 per hour, with downtown
may have to phone for a taxi. children, and a two-day pass being the most expensive. Check
Taxis charge a base fare of costs $28 for adults and $14 the fare box for specific details.
$2.25, plus $1 for a second for children. Other fares range Free-standing coin meters are
passenger, and 50 cents for from $4–7 for adults and $2–4 sometimes left for locking bikes
each additional passenger (up to for children. Tickets can be and no longer function.
four). When gas prices are high, purchased at kiosks located at Residential streets often
there is a $1 fuel surcharge. each taxi stop. require a parking permit, and
Additionally, a $2 surcharge is violators are subject to a $60
added to all airport trips. From ticket. Parking in front of a fire
that point, rates are 20 cents Driving hydrant tallies a $150 fine. In
for each ninth of a mile. Vehicles are driven on the right- winter months, be careful not to
Most Chicago taxi drivers are hand side of the road in the US, park in snow emergency routes
good drivers. But, as in any city, except on one-way streets. The as your car may be towed.
there are exceptions. For a serious Illinois speed limit is 30 mph (48 Parking garages and lots in
complaint, note the name of km/h) on city and residential downtown Chicago are plentiful
the taxi company and the car but quite expensive; $40–50 per
number (on the side of the taxi) day is not unusual. Outside of
and call Consumer Services. the central downtown area, lots
and garages are cheaper but
harder to come by. Most are
Water Taxis located around popular
During summer months, water attractions like sports arenas
taxis, operated by Wendella and and shopping districts.
Shoreline, run commuter and If your car is towed off a
sightseeing services around the downtown city street, call City
downtown area. Wendella Services to locate it. If it is towed
operates one route with stops at from a privately managed lot, a
Michigan Avenue, LaSalle/Clark, sign nearby will tell you how to
Madison Street, and Chinatown. reclaim your vehicle. Expect to
A single ride costs $2; a single pay at least $150 to retrieve your
ride including Chinatown costs Typical pedestrian and vehicular traffic on car. If it is a rental car, be prepared
$4. All-day passes are priced at busy State Street to show your contract.

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