New public transportation plan for McHenry County

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 3, 2009

New Transportation Option in McHenry County

McHenry County has teamed up with Pace Suburban Bus to offer expanded dial-a-ride transit service in McHenry County beginning February 13, 2010 funded by the County’s Transit Grant Program and Senior Services Grant Fund. Other agencies participating in the program include Crystal Lake, McHenry, Woodstock, Dorr Township, McHenry Township, and Pioneer Center for Human Services.

Coordination between these agencies will expand available dial-a-ride options. McHenry County Board Chairman Ken Koehler’s leadership was vital to creating this program. As described by Chairman Koehler, “In the long-term, expanded and enhanced coordinated dial-a-ride service will create positive social and economic impacts. This coordinated effort is the first step towards refining and improving transit operations in McHenry County.”

Everyone (the general public, seniors older than 65 years, and people with disabilities) is eligible to make trips originating or ending within the city boundaries of Crystal Lake, McHenry, and Woodstock as well as to and from these cities and Valley Hi Nursing Home or the Fox Lake Metra station. Seniors older than 65 years and people with disabilities are also eligible for trips originating or ending anywhere in McHenry Township or in Dorr Township outside of Bull Valley.

All one-way trips on this new service are $3.00 and there are no discounted or multi-ride fares. Fares must be paid in cash on the vehicle. Trips are curb-to-curb and wheelchair accessible. Riders will only be picked up and dropped off in safe locations at the driver’s discretion.

Registration is required for this service and is open now. Riders are encouraged to register before February 1 to allow time for processing. Registration is available on the web at http://www.mchenrycountydot.org/; Sarah Lutz, a transportation planner at the McHenry County Division of Transportation, can be reached at 815-334-4985 for questions.

Registered riders can make trips Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Rides must be scheduled one day in advance. The first trip reservations will be accepted on February 12—call 800-451-4599 (TTY) 888-454-4724, Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

(Press Release Contact is Adam Lehmann, Public Information Officer, McHenry County, IL Phone: 815-334-0309)

Expanded Transportation soon a reality

Woodstock-area residents can look forward to an expansion in transportation services in the near future. The County and several municipalities and townships have been working together to assemble a transportation program that will widen services.

Transportation services will be offered between communities and will involve a shared-cost arrangement, with passengers paying a small portion of the total cost of the ride. It won't be free, but it will be substantially less than taxi service or owning your own vehicle.

Expect an announcement in the next few weeks and service possibly starting in February.

Dial-a-Ride in Woodstock

Today my attention was called to the Dial-a-Ride service in Woodstock, when a caller commented that on Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, no Dial-a-Ride transportation service is available in Woodstock. This particular caller does not drive and must use public transportation to work in Woodstock. He also lamented the limited service in Woodstock, which ends at 5:00PM, and asked how an employee could work until 5:00PM and then get home, when the bus service ends at 5:00PM.

I had previously been told that Woodstock Dial-a-Ride requires a 24-hour reservation notice, whereas service in McHenry is available on the same day as you call, as long as you call early enough. In a conversation with Roscoe Stelford, Finance Director of the City of Woodstock, I learned that same-day service might be available in Woodstock, if a bus is available.

So, if you do want same-day service, go ahead and call. But be understanding if you are told that no space is available. However, if you get told that NO same-day service is available, then email Roscoe at rstelford@woodstockil.gov and tell him what happened.

What does the City of Woodstock pay to support Dial-a-Ride? How many riders/day does Dial-a-Ride serve?

If you have suggestions for improvements or changes in Dial-a-Ride service, email Roscoe and let him know. The contract with Dial-a-Ride gets renewed from time-to-time, and citizen input will help the City create an agreement that continues to meet the needs of residents.

Is the RTA SmartCard accepted on Dial-a-Ride?
Can transfers from Metra or PACE be used on Dial-a-Ride?

Integrating Dial-a-Ride with PACE and Metra shouldn't be all that hard. All it takes is someone with a big enough stick to make it happen.

If you have questions about Dial-a-Ride or want to use the service, call 815.338.5240 (let it ring until they answer) or 800.671.6717 and ask for Woodstock; then let it ring until they answer. Call before 5:00PM; call well before 5PM.

I was surprised to learn that many students use Dial-a-Ride. Read more about the Dial-a-Ride service in Woodstock at http://www.woodstockil.gov/index.asp?Type=B_LIST&SEC=%7B1F486FE1-84DA-4707-B98D-5228738C8164%7D