City Zoom makes travel from Northwest Indiana to Chicago O’Hare International Airport simple

Between traffic, parking fees, and long drives, traveling to and from the airport can often be the least favorable part of a big trip or vacation. City Zoom, a new airport shuttle for Northwest Indiana travelers, was created to provide an easier means of transportation to and from the Chicago O’Hare International Airport.

Since July 15, City Zoom has been providing a convenient and affordable way to reach this Windy City airport, with pickup locations in Valparaiso, Portage, and Hammond.

“We wanted to provide a safe, economical way for travelers to get to O’Hare or the major airports without having to deal with the stress of driving, tolls, parking, and everything that comes with traveling,” said Kristi Chadderdon, marketing director for City Zoom. “We’re doing that with a 12-passenger shuttle van, picking up at three locations.”

Currently, the main pickup locations for City Zoom include the Valpo Transit Center near Journeyman Distillery, the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority facility in Hammond, and at the AmeriPlex Plaza in Portage. Pickup at Valparaiso University for staff and students is also available. Eventually, City Zoom is looking to expand their reach to the South Bend area, along with transportation to the Chicago Midway International Airport.

“We are actively thinking about how we’re going to structure our next route, and customers can check out social media and be on the lookout for that news,” Chadderdon said. “We have a game plan in line, and Midway has been a very requested stop. It is such a wonderful convenience that we can offer.”

Brian Sheely, founder of City Zoom, believes that the services their team is able to provide is unlike anything else the Region has to offer.

“Nobody is doing what we’re doing with City Zoom anymore. As far as I can remember, there hasn’t been a service like this in this area since before 2020,” Sheely said. “What we’re offering is a lot more convenient and cost-effective. It’s cheaper to ride with us than it is to drive your own car up there once you factor in the cost of tolls, gas, and parking.”

Sheely is also the owner of Epic Limo, a leading luxury transportation provider in Northwest Indiana. In fact, City Zoom operates as a sister service for Epic Limo. This experience has helped Sheely with building City Zoom. While the two are linked, they offer unique benefits.

“With Epic Limo, they’re all licensed, professional chauffeurs with a little bit of everything such as sedans, SUVs, vans, and buses,” Sheely said. “We do concerts, sporting events, weddings, wine tours – but with both Epic Limo and City Zoom, the airport is our bread and butter.”

City Zoom allows riders to have one checked or carry-on bag, along with a personal bag or backpack. Bag size limits can apply for items such as strollers, golf clubs, skis, snowboards, or other large items.

“There is room under the seat to put a backpack, purse, or a small bag,” Chadderdon said. “The nice thing between Epic Limo and City Zoom is that when one service might not fit someone’s needs, the other likely will.”

While the wheels have only just started spinning for City Zoom, there is a lot of excitement for how this service will change the game for Northwest Indiana communities.

“Based on the affordability alone, if you’re a business traveler flying in and out once a week, it creates ease and reliability. Parking fees add up, whether you’re paying it or your company is paying it. We’re confident in our reliability for the consumer,” Chadderdon said.

For more information on City Zoom, you can visit flycityzoom.com.