Two local companies, GO Airport Express and Omega Airport Shuttle, have announced a joint venture starting October 25, that calls for Omega’s south side O’Hare and Midway services to operate under the GO Airport Express banner.
In addition to greater frequency and more convenient scheduling, Hyde Park and near South Side residents will be able to book on-line for door-to-door pick ups and returns from home or office as well one of Omega’s regularly scheduled Hyde Park stops.
Omega’s Jeff Smith will retain ownership of the company along with Illinois Commerce Commission authority for the routes. Omega will continue to operate its scheduled shuttle service between O¹Hare and Midway.
Our customers will enjoy a better, faster service, explains Smith, who has owned Omega for 13 years. “They’ll also have the ability to book return trips at the walk-up counters at O’Hare and Midway.”
Other new benefits include membership in the GO Airport Shuttle Preferred Rider Program, which offers free rides as well as AAdvantage® miles.
Among the service areas are the South Loop, Chinatown, Hyde Park, University of Chicago, IIT and other near south locations. Regular stops are made at Q Club, 1155 E. 57th Street; Rockefeller Chapel, 59th & Woodlawn; International House, 1414 E. 59th Street; Windermere Hotel, 1642 E. 56th St.; Shoreland Hotel, 5454 South Shore; DelPrado Hotel, 5300 S. Hyde Park Blvd.; Market in the Park bus shelter, 5050 S. Lake Shore Drive, and Ramada Inn, 4900 Lake Shore Drive.
GO Airport Express is part The GO Group, the nation’s largest airport transportation provider, serving some 60 airports in North America, Mexico, the Caribbean and Europe and transporting more than 13 million passengers per year.
‘We are very excited about this new venture,’ says John C.McCarthy, president of GO Airport Express. ‘The many synergies between our businesses will make this a seamless transition for customers, employees and the city of Chicago.’
Smith served as operations manager for C.W. Limousine Service for 13 years before purchasing the company in 1997 and changing its name to Omega Airport Shuttle.
He is a resident of the Chatham neighborhood and an active member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity, the National Black MBA Association and his church.
GO Airport Express, one of the oldest companies in Chicago, traces its founding to 1853 and the Parmelee Transportation Company, which provided a carriage service between Chicago’s railroad stations and the downtown hotels.
Reservations for the new South Side service can be made by calling 888-2THEVAN or at www.goairportexpress.com.