Changes to the McHenry County dial-a-ride program have been met with mixed reviews from commuters dependent on the service for their daily travels.
The bus transit systems in Woodstock, Crystal Lake and McHenry have combined with the county’s Tri-City Pilot program to create MCRide. The new program includes fare changes and attempts to streamline policies.
“Combining dial-a-rides is a way to pool together everyone’s resources to be able to provide more services,” said Brittany Graham, transportation planner for the county. “Making it all into one service makes it easier for users.”
Under the new program, commuters pay a flat rate for the first 5 miles and 25 cents per additional mile. Trips previously cost $3 for cross-town travelers throughout the service area, and fares differed for those riding within the three communities. Seniors, the disabled and students received a discounted rate.
Woodstock resident Tim Browne uses MCRide for the majority of his transportation needs throughout the county.
The increase “is kind of an inconvenience,” he said. “It’s hard to wrap my head around all this change. Even a few dollars more a week makes it difficult in today’s economic climate.”
Rides within Crystal Lake and McHenry now cost $1.75 for the first 5 miles. Students pay more than double now — $1.75 as compared to the previous 75 cents. Seniors 60 and older as well as the disabled pay 85 cents, up from 75 cents.
For travels within Woodstock and town to town, commuters pay $2 for the first 5 miles. That is the same rate for Woodstock users, but a $1 decrease for county riders. Fares for seniors and the disabled remain the same within Woodstock and decrease for county users to $1 from $3. Students pay $2 from $1.50 within the city and $3 across towns, respectively.
“Most trips are less than 5 miles,” Graham said. “These are distance-based fares. When you are traveling further it costs more. This is being implemented because longer trips are more expensive to operate.”
Residents must now schedule trips at least an hour, but not more than a day before pickup. Previously they were able to reserve a week in advance.
McHenry County College student Dave Smith uses the program to get from his home in rural Woodstock to the community college’s Crystal Lake campus.
With the reorganization, Smith saves at least a $1 each way, but worries the shorter reservation period will mean packed buses.
“I need to know that the bus will be there to pick me up, and being able to book days in advance really put me at ease,” he said. “I’m thankful for the improvements, but expect problems.”
Graham has fielded several calls from riders with the same concern, adding “we’ll have to see how it works out and make improvements from there.”
By 2014, all users and students will pay $2 for the first 5 miles and seniors and disabled riders will pay $1. It will continue to cost 25 cents per additional mile.
The service now has a single phone number to call after multiple numbers were used because each system operated independently from one another. McHenry, Greenwood and Dorr townships have also been added to the service area. Two children under 7 can ride for free with a paying adult.
Service hours are from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Pace is the operator of the MCRide service.
The program is funded, in part, by Job Access Reverse Commute and New Freedom federal grants in excess of $788,000 as well as $80,000 in senior grant money, which is used to help offset the costs of the service, according to Graham.
