Crystal Lake Commuters Can Soon MCRide

The combining of transportation services will now allow Crystal Lake residents to MCRide.

McHenry County’s Pilot/Tri-City and the dial-a-ride services in , McHenry and Woodstock are being combined into one new service called MCRide starting Feb. 1, according to the McHenry County Division of Transportation.

"The service will make it easier for suburban to suburban commuters and persons with disabilities to schedule and use dial-a-ride services in McHenry County, improve access to jobs and job related activities and provide greater mobility to individuals with disabilities," the MCDOT said in a release.

The new MCRide service was previously known as the “Pilot Program” or “Tri-City Project” and provided over 16,500 trips between February 2010 through October 2011, according to the MCDOT.

Grants through the Job Access Reverse Commute and New Freedom allowed the project to expand.

Service Changes

• Service in and between Crystal Lake, McHenry and Woodstock will now be called MCRide.
• MCRide is supported by a Job Access Reverse Commute grant to provide transportation to work.
• Trip reservations can be made from the day before and up to one hour before the pick-up time.
• Service hours are Monday-Friday 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Fares will be adjusted to a single distance-based fare structure.
• No changes to the McHenry Township Senior Express service.

Eligibility and Service Area

All individuals are eligible for travel to and from the following locations:

• Incorporated areas of the Crystal Lake, McHenry and Woodstock
• Valley Hi Nursing Home and McHenry County Division of Transportation
• Fox Lake Metra station
• Within three-quarters of a mile of:
  - Route 120 between Woodstock and McHenry
  - Route 14 between Woodstock and Crystal Lake
  - Route 31 between the Crystal Lake and McHenry

MCRide is supported by a New Freedom grant. As such, seniors (60+) and people with disabilities are eligible for trips throughout the above service area as well as to and from locations in:

• Greenwood Township (New Service Area!)
• McHenry Township
• Unincorporated areas of Dorr Township
• As of Feb. 1, 2012, riders will pay a base fare for the first five miles plus $0.25  for each additional mile.
• For riders with a disability who require a personal travel assistant, one assistant rides free.
• Individuals 60 years and older are eligible for the senior fare (this is lower than the current 65 years and older).
• Up to two children, 7 years or younger, can ride free per fare paying adult.
• City of McHenry Senior Vouchers will be accepted for trips in the City of McHenry only.
• Transfers will be allowed from the fixed bus routes only (routes 806, 807, and 808 for example). Transfer cards will no longer be sold on the dial-a-ride service. Transfers will continue to be sold on the fixed bus routes.
• No Pace passes will be accepted.
• Students without a disability will pay the same fares as the general public.
• Riders in Crystal Lake and McHenry will have fares gradually increased to match current City of Woodstock fares.

For more information, contact MCDOT Transportation Planner Brittany Graham at 815-334-4985 or by visiting the MCRide website: http://www.co.mchenry.il.us/departments/dot/Pages/PaceService.aspx.

To schedule a ride, call 1-800-451-4599.