DePaul students say they find the gameday shuttle bus to the Wintrust Arena to be convenient and safe when crime happens on the streets of Chicago at night.

“I [will] probably give the shuttle a try, DePaul junior Brandon Dilallo said. “Because with the shuttle you’re at least with other students. It would be fun on the way there, but otherwise, I will probably go on the train.”

Some DePaul students are new to the city and haven’t gotten acquainted to the stops yet. So, having the opportunity with being driven to and from Wintrust Arena is something some students prefer. It takes roughly 30 minutes to drive from McGrath -Phillips Arena to Wintrust depending on traffic. On the Red line, it will take students 20 minutes.

“The stop isn’t right there,” Dilallo said. “You do have to walk a few blocks from Wintrust Arena to get to the Red line stop. So when you’re walking by yourself or with a small group, that’s when the shuttle can be useful.”

The bus will depart 60 or 90 minutes prior to tipoff. Students will have the opportunity to take the shuttle throughout the men’s basketball season.

Although the DePaul women’s basketball team’s home games are usually played at McGrath, they will play three games at Wintrust this season.

DePaul will take on the women’s collegiate basketball reigning champions Notre Dame, on Saturday, Nov. 17. Shuttles will depart at 11:30 a.m., and the game will officially start at 1 p.m.

They will play back-to-back games at Wintrust: Xavier on Friday, Nov. 22 and Butler on Sunday, Nov 24.

Many students recently learned that they have the option to take the shuttle bus on gameday. For freshman the shuttle serves as an opportunity to enhance the community feeling among Blue Demon fans.

“I honestly didn’t know DePaul had shuttle buses for students, let alone one that goes to Wintrust Arena,” DePaul freshman Darshan Pradhan said. “Being around other students in the bus heading to the game will build a tradition of our school’s spirit. It was something that I enjoyed when I was in high school.”

DePaul freshman Jason Lee said he feels comfortable taking the shuttle knowing that it drops him off directly at Wintrust Arena.

“I haven’t been to a sporting event at DePaul, but I’m looking forward to taking the shuttle all season,” Lee said. “I’ve gone on the shuttle once early in the quarter for the Blue Man Group event, and it seemed nice to have an alternative option to public transportation.”

DePaul students had the opportunity to use the shuttle bus on Thursday night when the men’s basketball team played an exhibition game against Rockhurst at Wintrust Arena.

The Blue Demons will tip off the regular season at home against Bethune- Cookman at 6:30 p.m. Wedensday Nov. 7. The shuttle will depart at 5 p.m.

The bus drop-off and pick-up location at Wintrust will be by McCormick Place Gate 41, located at the Southeast corner of Indiana Aveune and Cermak Road across the street from the arena. Students must make a reservation in advance.