Huntley raises fare for temporary senior taxi service
Huntley will continue to offer a temporary taxi service for Sun City residents through year end and increase fares to cover more of the cost of running the service, officials said.
Riders will pay $2 more for a total of $4 per ride starting Oct. 1. Officials had considered capping the number of rides allowed per person monthly, but decided against it.
The village has allocated an additional $5,000 toward the program to see it through this calendar year, Assistant Village Manager Lisa Armour said.
Huntley started the temporary taxi service Dec. 1 for seniors living in Rutland and Hampshire townships, including Sun City, after Grafton Township terminated its bus service for riders in other townships. Grafton ended rides for Sun City residents in Rutland and Hampshire townships because Rutland Township declined to chip in $24,000 to keep the service going.
Huntley's taxi voucher program, run by Route 47 Taxi, was initially funded with roughly $6,000 returned by Grafton Township after its senior bus service ended.
The service has been in great demand and there are about 54 active riders. Trips to grocery stores and for medical appointments make up about 65 percent of rides, according to Village Manager Dave Johnson.
In April, the village board allocated an additional $10,000 to continue the program through 2014, but that money is expected to run out by month end, Johnson said.
"The program will end Dec. 31," Armour said. "The riders have been informed that's the ending date and to make alternate arrangements for transportation."
Officials are working on providing permanent bus service for all residents.
In July, the village entered into a memorandum of understanding with McHenry County Division of Transportation to join its MCRide Dial-a-Ride Transit Service program.
"It is anticipated that (service) will start in the spring, which then provides service villagewide for everyone," Armour said.
The service, started in 2012, is a partnership between Pace Suburban Bus, McHenry County, the towns of Crystal Lake, McHenry and Woodstock, and the townships of Dorr, Greenwood and McHenry.
It would cost Huntley $48,582 yearly - $2 per resident - to participate and would allow residents to commute within village limits whether in Kane or McHenry counties, and to participating communities within McHenry County.
The cost of a ride through the service is $2 for the general public, $1 for seniors and people with disabilities, and 25 cents extra for each additional mile after the first five miles. The service would run from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
The village board will discuss how to fund the MCRide program during its fiscal year 2015 budget review. Grafton Township has committed to contributing $10,000 toward the program, while Rutland Township's board and the Sun City Huntley Community Association have declined participation, officials have said.