MCRide Dial-a-Ride Service
MCRide is brought to you through a partnership between McHenry County and Pace Suburban Bus.
Dial-a-Ride Services: McHenry County
Curb-to-Curb Countywide Service
MCRide passengers schedule their trips in advance and the vehicle provides curb-to-curb service from the rider’s desired pick-up and drop-off destinations.
About MCRide
MCRide Dial-a-Ride is a great way to get around McHenry County. Whether you need transportation for work, school, shopping, medical appointments or just to visit a friend, MCRide provides an affordable and flexible way to travel!
As a dial-a-ride program, MCRide service is "on-demand" and vehicles do not travel in a fixed route each day.
Riders schedule their trips in advance and the vehicle provides curb-to-curb service from the rider's desired pick-up and drop-off destinations.
MCRide is a shared-ride service, so vehicles may make stops for other passengers.
Remember to schedule your initial pick up and the return trip. Riders unable to keep a reservation must cancel their trip at least 2 hours before scheduled pick-up time.
How to Schedule a MCRide
To schedule a ride, call the Pace Call Center at 800-451-4599 or 711 for the Illinois Relay Service. Call takers will register you during your first call. Seniors 65 and older and individuals with disabilities, with a valid RTA reduced fare permit number, RTA ride free permit number, or ADA paratransit ID number, can schedule a ride up to seven days in advance of their trip. Members of the general public can schedule a ride up to two days in advance of their trip.
Where Can I MCRide?
Everyone is eligible for travel to and from the GREEN areas on the map and rides can also start and end from any of the seven destination points within the coverage area:
1. Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital
2. Barrington Metra Station
3. Randall Oaks Park / Zoo / Golf Course
4. The Arboretum
5. Advocate Sherman Hospital
6. Spring Hill Mall
7. Chain O’Lakes State Park
When Can I MCRide?
MCRide operates every day from 5:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. (except on the observed holidays of New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day).
Fare Information:
Standard fares for MCRide follow this structure: $3.00 for 5 miles or less, $6.00 for trips between 5.01 and 10 miles, and $9.00 for trips longer than 10 miles. Reduced fares for seniors 65 and older and individuals with disabilities follow this structure: $2.00 for 5 miles or less, $4.00 for trips between 5.01 and 10 miles, and $6.00 for trips longer than 10 miles. For reduced fares, riders must present a valid RTA ID number (reduced fare, ride free, or ADA paratransit).
| Trip Length | Standard Fare | Reduced Fare for Seniors 65 and older and People with Disabilities |
| 5.00 miles or less | $3 | $2 |
| 5.01 to 10.00 miles | $6 | $4 |
| 10.01 miles or more | $9 | $6 |
Using Ventra for Payment - Click here for instructions on how to pay with Ventra
What Else Should I Know?
- Check the status of or cancel an upcoming reservation using Pace TripCheck.
- Individuals 65 years and older and people with disabilities, with a valid RTA ID number (reduced fare, ride free, or ADA paratransit), are eligible for the reduced fare. Riders must share this information with the Call Center when scheduling a ride.
- Up to two children 7 years or younger can ride free per fare paying adult.
- Transfers are allowed from Pace fixed bus routes (Routes 806, 807, 808, and 550).
- Pace passes are not accepted on MCRide.
- For riders that need to make the same trips at the same times each week, MCRide offers a limited number of "subscriptions." Subscriptions eliminate the need for contacting the Call Center to book recurring trips.
- To get a subscription for recurring trips, you must first demonstrate the reliability of your travel by riding to the same place at the same time at least twice a week for an extended duration.
- After that, each time you call to make a reservation, ask the Call Center staff if you can be placed on subscription.
- Because there are limited subscriptions for each time slot/hour, it may take a while before one becomes available - especially if you are traveling during peak times.
- More information at 815-334-4981 or MCRide@McHenryCountyIL.gov or read the MCRide Rider's Guide.
