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

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.