[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5983443,"mediaKeyId","5789997-9a4318b5acdf6c370fcaced6d1aed28b","parentId",5789997,"title","Metro ridership about two‑thirds of pre‑pandemic levels; public hearings set as Metro prepares two budget scenarios","audioSeconds",80,"startMs",208000,"endMs",288000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5789997-9a4318b5acdf6c370fcaced6d1aed28b&start=208&end=288","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5789997-9a4318b5acdf6c370fcaced6d1aed28b/thumbnail_208000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5983443/McHenry-County/Illinois/Metro-ridership-about-twothirds-of-prepandemic-levels-public-hearings-set-as-Metro-prepares-two-budget-scenarios","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5983443-daa72fc354f150879a672c74642f2927/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140620&Signature=gsTk9~sjQdjkwxcqTin4e5GC7slTMuLLa-Pt5aoSieB55Z2yfq603o~4sGLjB3Kar5TiKqDEOr13q-VBy3S7TyBG5w0hMCpIA8DHzC5S8fwI6DkD7XDJjxmHzIWPkrDqIHMeTwFcoZLdnIKoMDl0o0ddI2LWoBo2MF06W-dd9Mv2nUEO3nd56RQllo2fzOe9O0FW243nBELVz4L~hlG3v4h~sCSKdCcKcz~csMqZ18fVfYADJYJnk1cPpcXEkFPI7eNfdIrGathGws6gVi5WG9r6AYEIOqtp9YKFsiB6WAnE8zLCsaICfy3U4jkvPwMVQ-Nq4N3iU9AyqmnftMgkcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","McHenry County, IL","date","2025-09-16T09:02:40Z","article","CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. — McHenry County staff reported Sept. 15 that Metro ridership is running at approximately 65% of pre‑pandemic levels and outlined the FY2026 budget calendar, including two budget scenarios and upcoming public hearings.

A transit staff member reported recent modal figures: “Our most recent numbers were at 65% of pre pandemic levels. The Milwaukee North is at 59%, Milwaukee West at 48%, North Central service at 45%… Northwest at 63%, and the UP North at 75%,” the staff member said while summarizing July ridership figures.

Staff said Metro will prepare two draft budgets for the coming fiscal year: one that assumes some state funding and a “doomsday” scenario that assumes no state funding, with potential service reductions reflected in the latter. Staff also announced in‑person and virtual public hearings: McHenry County’s in‑person hearing is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 6, 4–6 p.m., at Crystal Lake City Hall; a Chicago‑area hearing will be live‑streamed on Wednesday, Nov. 5, with an option to submit virtual comments.

Staff emphasized that the two‑budget approach will allow the agency and stakeholders to evaluate service-level impacts depending on the state funding outcome. The public hearings are intended to gather rider and public input on the budget and service proposals.

Ending: Staff encouraged community members to attend the Nov. 5 virtual or Nov. 6 in‑person hearings to provide comments on Metro’s FY2026 proposals.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Public Transportation Advisory Committee - Public Meeting, 9-15-25","oneSentenceSummary","Staff reported recent Metro ridership at about 65% of pre‑pandemic levels and said Metro will prepare two FY2026 budgets — one assuming state funding and one that assumes none. Public hearings were scheduled in Crystal Lake and Chicago for November.","taxTitle","McHenry County, Illinois","taxId",12887,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5983448,"PTAC supports higher rider fare, reduced county subsidy and monthly cap for Connect rideshare program",1704,4513000,6217000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5789997-9a4318b5acdf6c370fcaced6d1aed28b&start=4513&end=6217","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5789997-9a4318b5acdf6c370fcaced6d1aed28b/thumbnail_4513000.jpg","/articles/5983448/McHenry-County/Illinois/PTAC-supports-higher-rider-fare-reduced-county-subsidy-and-monthly-cap-for-Connect-rideshare-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5983448-0d6eb9e0fd2633613cbac956641982e1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140620&Signature=gm-aQ5N0VF~R-Z-UHlO8VlapGagBAvAs3bP~fktECMZSY1jUVq9DjhdC-Jv5a9rO4FEHds9p2pOHC4DkiRgYJcmejV7u6T55ovY9DkUAjHPUlhAlV9SZR5Ct7StUiC2rdFoXDyk-UjBagZdzSGfwrrVOGdBRxgZFkEVJ0KvrIYKKSj9Piea5eIb3GB1jo4TB9vs-p-Wrh7InQUsINSQPH8pfsT0dZNnXQg~QZcBpG451yJtDef6SuNBvZJXFWnnnQZED2cxcD13pB0CId2-4Ieno-VkQxbFR7wNwafnYdyefef~lH3uGO9B4FzOi1qrI1ekgmLCmwr~JTcJW~VJkLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. — McHenry County’s Public Transportation Advisory Committee voted Sept. 15 to recommend changes to the county’s Connect rideshare program: raise the rider fare to $5, reduce the county subsidy to $15 per trip, and cap subsidized rides at 60 trips per account per month.

A department staff member who presented the program’s data told the committee that Connect’s growth has outpaced initial expectations. “I budgeted a million dollars next year. I don't think it's gonna be enough,” the staff member said, summarizing staff projections and the program’s recent usage patterns. Staff noted Connect was intended to be a lower‑cost alternative for some MC Bridal trips, but many Connect users are new riders rather than replacements of existing paratransit users.

Under the recommendation PTAC approved, riders would pay $5 per Connect trip, the county would subsidize up to $15 per trip, and a monthly cap of 60 subsidized trips would apply to each account. The committee discussed alternative caps — such as 30 per month (the RTA/PACE RAP model), per‑day limits (e.g., two trips per day), or a daily cap multiplied by a monthly window — and staff said 60 per month was a compromise between limiting program cost growth and preserving options for riders who rely on Connect for regular travel.

Staff presented data illustrating a small group of “power users” who took dozens of Connect trips per month (one example month showed two accounts with more than 90 rides and another with 128 rides). Committee members were concerned about both equity for riders who use the program for work and medical needs and the program’s fiscal sustainability.

Implementation considerations: staff said changes require amending the county’s IGA with mobility partners and may not take effect Jan. 1, 2026, because of contract timelines; some program changes could arrive later in 2026. Staff also said the program is managed through partners’ technology (Uber/PACE), which enforces trip caps and subsidy limits once configured.

Ending: PTAC voted in favor of recommending the changes and directed staff to carry the proposal to the county transportation committee for the fall approval process. Staff said they will monitor heavy users and report back to PTAC with usage analytics after implementation.","PTAC recommended raising the rider portion of the county’s Connect rideshare program from $4 to $5, reducing the county subsidy from $16 to $15 per trip, and capping subsidized trips at 60 per account per month; staff said the program has grown faster than expected and changes aim to manage cost growth.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5983455,"PTAC backs distance-based fares and RTA verification to raise MC Bridal farebox recovery",2531,1891000,4422000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5789997-9a4318b5acdf6c370fcaced6d1aed28b&start=1891&end=4422","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5789997-9a4318b5acdf6c370fcaced6d1aed28b/thumbnail_1891000.jpg","/articles/5983455/McHenry-County/Illinois/PTAC-backs-distance-based-fares-and-RTA-verification-to-raise-MC-Bridal-farebox-recovery","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5983455-aee32e1b788c60ecc18d6c4743dffd87/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140620&Signature=JOkio9UsSz7CwRgQnm~QzMSb88-x4MJPQBwrKp1UxAIn0yYY~LHTtLCShSYfgaUjcVXGx~A0WIJx1eOYy-2knDp6kYyXgSNy2VmtQjcbqUKTmyce2Ayy1rpbBG4Mg976x9WT4UK~qDQ-txK8ZB59XApI1~xXlnYPD5OCtJN6JsmI4~Iqqjs1mvZqH-DuYD2Vqp~ZC-6WHE6~l47E7GxPUNAB7ZFqO0oqZD08R1nhbMK0pH-43OpMVsjoBAdJI3ZYLg8HogB7sUmJhjxkxPHH2uujzvLrbFYRhOPj1N1kKyMNC0DjumVDy6cECfFAj7c4bX6D8mEe43IiyU~bD1zIOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. — McHenry County’s Public Transportation Advisory Committee (PTAC) recommended a new distance‑based fare structure for MC Bridal paratransit service and endorsed requiring RTA reduced‑fare card verification for discounted fares, the committee decided at a special Sept. 15 meeting.

PTAC’s recommendation would set tiered fares by distance for riders holding any qualifying RTA card and higher fares for riders without an RTA card: $2 for rides 0–5 miles and $3 for riders without a card; $4 for rides 5.01–10 miles and $6 for riders without a card; and $6 for rides over 10 miles and $9 for riders without a card. PTAC members voted to send that package to the county transportation committee; the motion carried by voice vote.

The committee heard that the county is currently at about a 5% farebox recovery ratio — the share of operating costs covered by fares — but the department’s goal is 10%. “So our main problem, I guess, that we're trying to solve with the fare increase or changes is this fare box recovery ratio,” said Anna, a staff member who presented revenue scenarios. Anna told the committee that a 50% flat fare increase (for example raising a $4 base fare to $6) alone would have raised last year’s revenue by roughly $107,000 and increased farebox recovery from about 5% to 8% in the staff model.

Committee members discussed multiple scenarios Anna presented: (A) a 50% across‑the‑board fare increase; (B) eliminating the 25¢ per‑extra‑mile fee; (C) requiring verification of RTA reduced‑fare cards so only verified cardholders receive the reduced rate; and (D) switching to graduated fares by distance (the model PTAC favored). Staff modeled the financial effect of each scenario using the previous 12 months of trips.

Committee members and staff also discussed implementation details and practical consequences. Gary Scott, a PTAC member, urged caution around reductions that would harm riders who live far from services. “Those folks … really have 0 other options,” Scott said, arguing that distance‑based fares may not raise costs much for riders who already pay higher fares for long trips. Staff noted roughly 44% of trips are under 5 miles, 33% are 5–10 miles and 22% are over 10 miles based on the data reviewed by the presenter.

Staff and committee members emphasized verification logistics. PTAC discussed mirroring Lake County’s approach, in which call center staff record riders’ RTA card numbers when booking. Staff said Connect already requires the RTA card and a call‑center verification workflow exists that could be expanded to MC Bridal; doing so will require additional staff time but is feasible, they said. Staff also reported outreach efforts over the last year to help riders obtain RTA reduced‑fare cards, including community registration sites.

Context and next steps: staff said the county administration has listed fare increases among roughly 20 possible options to close a roughly $3.03–3.5 million county budget gap for FY2026. Staff recommended seeking PTAC’s advice and bringing the committee’s recommendation to the county transportation committee; changes would need to be written into the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with partner agencies, and staff said January 1, 2026, was the target implementation date if IGAs and partner contracts permit.

Ending: The county transportation committee and county board will review the PTAC recommendation; staff warned that final timing depends on amending IGAs with partner agencies and completing any required procurement or contract changes.
","McHenry County’s Public Transportation Advisory Committee recommended a distance-based fare structure for MC Bridal, pairing reduced rates for riders with an RTA reduced‑fare card and higher fares for riders without the card, as staff seeks to raise the system’s farebox recovery amid county budget pressures.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Metro ridership about two‑thirds of pre‑pandemic levels; public hearings set as Metro prepares two budget scenarios

PTAC supports higher rider fare, reduced county subsidy and monthly cap for Connect rideshare program

PTAC backs distance-based fares and RTA verification to raise MC Bridal farebox recovery