VALPARAISO — City Zoom, a new airport transportation service, marked its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held by the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, October 8, at EpicLimo’s community open house. The launch represents a new offering designed to connect Northwest Indiana communities, including Valparaiso, Portage, and Hammond, more directly with the greater Chicago area, specifically O'Hare International Airport.
Brian Sheely, owner and president of City Zoom, has been active in the local transportation business since 2006. Sheely introduced City Zoom to address a need for safe, affordable, and reliable airport transportation in the region. Sheely stated that people were and are looking for "an economical and reliable way to get to the airport," a void he aims to fill with this new venture.
City Zoom operates three daily round-trip shuttles from its service areas. The first shuttle departs at 2:10 a.m., catering to early travelers. A mid-morning option is available at 9:40 a.m., followed by an afternoon departure at 5:10 p.m. Unlike on-demand services, City Zoom operates on a pre-sold, per-seat basis. Each trip is offered at a flat rate of $55 and includes transportation directly to O’Hare’s departure level. Passengers are permitted one checked bag or one carry-on plus one personal item. Vehicles are climate-controlled and comfortable, providing real-time trip updates.
For booking, online reservations must be completed at least 12 hours before the scheduled departure. The company recommends booking at least 48 hours in advance to help ensure seating availability. In the event of travel incidents, delays, or other mishaps, City Zoom maintains operators on standby to assist passengers via phone.
Safety protocols are a core component of City Zoom's operations. Sheely confirmed that all vehicles are tracked, monitoring aspects such as acceleration, hard braking, and lane changes. This tracking system allows the company to identify and address any instances of unsafe or inappropriate driving by its personnel.
City Zoom is a seamless extension of EpicLimo, Sheely’s existing luxury car rental service. EpicLimo has served Lake, Porter, La Porte, and Michiana counties for 15 years, offering full vehicle rentals for special events like weddings, proms, birthdays, concerts, sporting events, brewery tours, and wine tastings. City Zoom applies the same professional-grade service to scheduled airport transportation, serving individual travelers, business trips, and groups traveling with family and friends.
Sheely's history in the transportation sector began with an aircraft maintenance shop, where he worked as an engine technician, building a client base and reputation over 20 years. He started his initial venture operating from his car trunk, eventually renting and then purchasing the building that now serves as the company's headquarters in Valparaiso. From this central location, Sheely oversees national news streams for travel updates and monitors a live driver map, ensuring efficient operation. He acknowledged that global events can impact travel, stating that "Anything that happens in the world, doesn’t matter if it happens in California, it affects our passengers."
City Zoom is presented as a locally owned and operated option for Valparaiso residents, university students, and visitors seeking a stress-free and affordable alternative for airport travel. The service emphasizes reliable scheduling, no surge pricing, and no surprises. The community's response has been welcoming, according to the company. The goal is to provide a service locals can rely on for their transportation needs.
