Huntley to continue bus service in 2016

Huntley village officials recently approved continuing the Dial-A-Ride bus service for all residents, primarily seniors and people with disabilities, next year.

McHenry County's MCRide program serves nine cities and villages within the county. The service will be provided to all Huntley residents, including those living in Kane County.

The service, started in 2012, is a partnership between Pace Suburban Bus, McHenry County, the towns of Crystal Lake, Harvard, Johnsburg, Lakewood, Marengo, McHenry, Ringwood, and Woodstock, and the townships of Dorr, Greenwood, Nunda, Grafton, Marengo, and McHenry.

Huntley joined in February of this year with the service running since March.

The village board recently extended the intergovernmental agreement with the county and other participating agencies to offer the service through Nov. 30, 2016, according to Assistant Village Manager Lisa Armour.

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 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. There is no service on Sundays.

Riders with a disability requiring a personal travel assistant can have the assistant ride for free. Up to two children 7 or younger can ride free with each fare-paying adult. Riders may travel to any community or drop-off site included in the MCRide Program, per the terms of the agreement.

In March, Huntley saw 70 distinct riders using the service and 245 trips originating in town. Since then, the number of riders using the service has ranged from 59 to 66, with as many 301 trips originating in Huntley in August, according to the village.

It costs the village $48,582 - $2 per capita - to provide the service next year. Grant funding received by the county will reduce the village's cost to $2,651 per month, or $31,815.

The fiscal year 2016 budget will include $40,000 to continue the program, according to officials.

Huntley residents must register with Pace the first time they call to set up a trip at (800) 451-4599. Trip reservations for the general public can be made the day before and up to an hour before the requested trip. Senior riders and people with disabilities may reserve trips between seven days in advance and up to an hour before the requested trip.

For maps and more information, visit co.mchenry.il.us.