June 7, 2023
Ride Lake County Celebrates One Year of Service
100 trips a day and 27,000 rides in a year for nearly 1,000 people - Ride Lake County is off to a terrific start!
Last year, Ride Lake County launched to provide a cost-effective and countywide transportation option for seniors ages 60+ and people with disabilities. Within its first week of service, Ride Lake County provided 400 trips to residents. Since then, the popularity of Ride Lake County has only grown.
Service usage has increased by 50 percent since the launch, with 10,000 rides provided in the first six months and 17,000 rides provided in the last six months. To keep up with demand, Pace Suburban Bus has hired more drivers to increase the amount of Ride Lake County rides that can be provided each day.
“We are elated to see the incredible impact that Ride Lake County is having for Lake County residents," said Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart. “Seniors and people with disabilities are now able to affordably travel across Lake County to wherever they need to go - doctor's appointments, work, shopping, and much more by calling 1-800-201-6446.”
Ride Lake County was designed to expand transportation options for greater and easier access for important trips to work, shopping and medical appointments. Nearly 31 percent of all trips in 2022 took riders to work, while 30 percent of trips were for medical appointments.
“We are very encouraged to see that more people are using Ride Lake County since the service started just over a year ago,” said Jennifer Clark, Lake County Public Works and Transportation Committee Chair and Board Member for District 15. “The service is proving its value by enabling riders to get to key destinations within Lake County and to select areas that border the county that are essential to everyday living.”
Ride Lake County was created through dedicated efforts by the Lake County Coordinated Transportation Services Committee, and various communities, townships, transit partners and community groups. Previously, there was no cohesive paratransit system available throughout the entire county.
How it Works
Ride Lake County vehicles don’t travel in a fixed route each day, instead it is a reservation-based program with rides scheduled in advance. Vehicles provide curb-to-curb service from the rider’s desired pick-up and drop-off destinations, and all vehicles are wheelchair accessible.
Before scheduling their first ride, residents must register through Pace by calling their call center at 1-800-201-6446. Residents can register as either a senior age 60+ or as an individual with a disability.
Riders can schedule a trip any day of the week from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., except for certain holidays. Riders can reserve a trip as far as seven days in advance or as little as two hours in advance.
Ride Lake County is sponsored by Lake County and Pace Suburban Bus. The service is funded in part by grants from the Regional Transportation Authority.
For additional information about Ride Lake County, visit lakecountyil.gov/RLC.
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