WOODSTOCK, IL – Pace Suburban Bus delivered a new, fully-accessible 28-foot bus to McHenry County for service on the county’s MCRide program on Monday, when officials met to discuss transit service in the county.
MCRide is a Dial-a-Ride service offered through a partnership between Pace and McHenry County that allows affordable, flexible, curb-to-curb service between any two points in the county
The new bus introduced to officials during the meeting boasts a variety of safety features, including Ford’s Driver Assist Technology Package, three-point seatbelts on all seats, and for Covid-19 protection, easy-to-clean antimicrobial vinyl seats and a barrier around the operator area.
The new vehicle is not the only good news for McHenry County transit this year. Pace provided McHenry County an additional $200,000 investment for 2022, representing the county’s share of $1,000,000 in transportation grants for the five suburban “collar counties” Pace serves. Pace also increased its contribution to all Dial-a-Ride programs by 15% for 2022.
“Pace values its partners in McHenry County, and we are confident these additional investments will help continue to make MCRide an even more integral part of our transportation network,” said Pace Chairman Rick Kwasneski.
“MCRide is a great way to get around our county,” added Pace Director Erin Smith, who represents McHenry County on Pace’s Board. “Whether you need to go to work, to the store, to the doctor, or just out to have fun, it’s a useful option for everyone.”
“Pace’s continued investment in paratransit – from this new bus to its increased funding for dial-a-ride programs – will make McHenry County’s outstanding MCRide service even better,” McHenry County Board Chairman Mike Buehler (Crystal Lake) said. “We thank Pace for these generous, thoughtful, and impactful contributions to mass transit.”
MCRide service is McHenry county’s coordinated, countywide paratransit service. Vehicles do not travel in a fixed route each day; rather, riders schedule their trips in advance. Seniors and people with disabilities pay a discounted fare, but everyone can use the service.
