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)