Public Transportation Advisory Committee - Public Meeting, 11-5-26

The McHenry County Public Transportation Advisory Committee met on November 5, 2026. Members reviewed MC Ride and Connect ridership, denials, fares, and costs. They noted that MC Ride is provided by a private contractor and that a new union contract taking effect this year increased the county’s cost per trip to roughly the mid-$50 range; members described the program’s costs as unsustainable without additional transit options. The county’s 2027 budget and its contribution to MC Ride remain undecided. The committee discussed a forthcoming intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Pace: Pace is preparing its proposal, the agreement is expected to cover calendar year 2027, and service is expected to continue while the agreement is finalized. No contract award or spending motion was taken. The committee approved the August 6 minutes; that was the only reported vote related to committee business.

Pace reported new midday and all-day service pilots on routes 806 and 808, expanded Van Go zones in the McHenry area, and a draft regional service plan open for public feedback. Metra reported a $2.16 billion 2027–2031 capital program, funded through federal, state, and transit-agency sources, focused on rail infrastructure, fleet modernization, accessibility, safety, and service improvements; an operating-budget figure of about $1.2 billion was also cited, though the transcript is unclear. Members discussed how expanded fixed-route service could reduce reliance on costly dial-a-ride trips, while noting that proposed changes may leave gaps for some communities. The committee requested a McHenry County budget update for a future meeting.