Ryan Jones – County Connection

Author: Ryan Jones

Clipper Fare Changes: More Discounts & Lower Express Fares  

Save money when you use Youth Clipper, Clipper START, and ride County Connection Express Routes

[En Español] Beginning January 1, 2024, it will be more affordable to ride County Connection with a Youth Clipper or Clipper START card, with fares going from 20% to 50% off for eligible riders. And, Clipper fares on all County Connection express routes are going down in price, matching our local route Clipper fares. In other words, that’s $1.00 to ride County Connection when you use your Youth Clipper or Clipper START card, and only $2.00 for express routes (same cost as local routes).

FARES: YOUTH CLIPPER (6-18) & CLIPPER START *

PAYMENT TYPEFARE (all routes)
Youth Clipper / Clipper START
   Single Ride$1.00 (all routes)
   Bus-to-Bus TransferFree
   BART-to-Bus Transfer$0.50
   Day Pass$3.75
   31-Day Pass$60.00 (valid on all routes)
Cash – Single Ride$2.50

FARES: ADULT (19-64)

PAYMENT TYPEFARE (all routes)
Clipper
   Single Ride$2.00 (all routes)
   Bus-to-Bus TransferFree
   BART-to-Bus Transfer$1.00
   Day Pass$3.75
   31-Day Pass$60.00 (valid on all routes)
Cash – Single Ride$2.50

YOUTH CLIPPER: $1.00 rides

Youth Clipper is available for ages 6-18 and is great for youth who want to save money and ride public transit at half the cost (50% discount) of an Adult Clipper card. To apply: 

CLIPPER START: $1.00 rides

Clipper START is a regional pilot program to provide single-ride discounts to eligible riders. To qualify you must: 

  • Be a resident of the San Francisco Bay Area   
  • Be 19-64 years old   
  • Not have an RTC Clipper Card for people with disabilities   
  • Have a household income of 200% of the federal poverty level or less  

CLIPPER EXPRESS ROUTE FARES   

Beginning January 1, 2024, County Connection express route fares on Clipper will be reduced from $2.25 to $2.00 for adults, and from $1.80 to $1.00 for Youth Clipper and Clipper START card holders.  

In addition, the East Bay Regional 31-Day Local Pass ($60) will be valid on all County Connection routes, including Express routes, and the 31-Day Express Pass ($70) will be eliminated. The 31-Day Local Pass will continue to be accepted on Tri Delta Transit, Wheels, and WestCAT (except LYNX) buses. 

WHY THE CHANGE IN FARES?  In the years following the pandemic, public transit agencies continue to look for ways to simplify the fare rate structure across the region. This is in part to incentivize ridership but is also a move toward increased consistency with broader regional policies. (Translation: We want public transit to be an easy and affordable option for everyone.) 

Cambios en las tarifas de Clipper: más descuentos y tarifas más bajas en rutas exprés 

Ahorre dinero cuando utilice Clipper de Jovenes, Clipper START y viaje en las rutas exprés de County Connection  

[English version] A partir del 1 de enero del 2024, viajar en County Connection será más accesible con una tarjeta Clipper de Jovenes (Youth Clipper) o Clipper START, con  descuento que ode 50% para pasajeros elegibles. Y las tarifas de Clipper en todas las rutas exprésde County Connection serán reducidas, igualando las tarifas de Clipper de nuestras rutas locales. En otras palabras, eso es $1.00 para viajar en County Connection cuando usa su tarjeta Clipper de Jovenes o Clipper START, y solo $2.00 para rutas exprés (el mismo costo que las rutas locales). 

TARIFAS: Clipper de Jovenes (6-18) y Clipper START * 

TIPO DE PAGO TARIFA (todas las rutas) 
Clipper de Jovenes / Clipper START 
   Viaje individual$1.00 (todas las rutas)
   Traslado de autobús a autobúsGratis 
   Traslado de BART a autobús $0.50
   Pase diario$3.75
   Pase de 31 días$60.00 (válido en todas las rutas)
Efectivo – Viaje único $2.50
*Efectivo el 1 de enero de 2024

TARIFAS: Clipper Adulto (19-64)

TIPO DE PAGOTARIFA (todas las rutas) 
Clipper 
 Viaje individual$2.00 (all routes)
   Traslado de autobús a autobúsGratis
  Traslado de BART a autobús $1.00
   Pase diario$3.75
   Pase de 31 días$60.00 (válido en todas las rutas)
Efectivo – Viaje único $2.50

CLIPPER de JOVENES: Tarifa de $1.00 

Clipper de Jovenes está disponible para edades de 6 a 18 años y es ideal para jóvenes que desean ahorrar dinero y viajar en transporte público por la mitad del costo (50% de descuento) de una tarjeta Adulto Clipper. Aplicar: 

  • ENVIAR UNA SOLICITUD: Los pasajeros de 6 a 18 años pueden solicitar una tarjeta Clipper de Jovenes por correo, correo electrónico o fax. Al enviar una solicitud, podemos determinar su elegibilidad. 
  • SOLICITE EN PERSONA: Los pasajeros jóvenes pueden obtener una tarjeta en persona en County Connection, 2477 Arnold Industrial Way en Concord, de lunes a viernes, de 8 am a 3 pm. 
  • Deberá verificar su fecha de nacimiento con una forma de identificación aceptada para una tarjeta Clipper de Jovenes. 
  • Encuentre una ubicación en persona cerca de usted haciendo clic aquí. 

CLIPPER START: Tarifa de $1.00

Clipper START es un programa piloto regional que ofrece descuentos en tarifas a pasajeros elegibles. Para calificar debes: 

  • Ser residente del Área de la Bahía de San Francisco 
  • Tener entre 19 y 64 años 
  • No tener una Tarjeta RTC Clipper para personas con discapacidades 
  • Tener un ingreso familiar del 200% del nivel federal de pobreza o menos 

TARIFAS DE CLIPPER  EN RUTAS EXPRES 

A partir del 1 de enero de 2024, las tarifas de la rutaS exprés de County Connection se reducirán de $2.25 a $2.00 para adultos que paguen con una tarjeta Clipper, y de $1.80 a $1.00 para pasajeros que paguen su tarifa con tarjetas Clipper Juvenil y Clipper START. 

Además, el Pase Local Regional de 31 Días de East Bay ($60) será válido en todas las rutas de County Connection, incluyendo las rutas  exprés, y se eliminará el Pase Express de 31 días ($70). El pase local de 31 días se seguirá aceptando en los autobuses Tri Delta Transit, Wheels y WestCAT (excepto LYNX). 

¿Por qué el cambio de tarifas? En los años posteriores a la pandemia, las agencias de transporte público continúan buscando formas de simplificar la estructura de tarifas en toda la región. Esto es en parte para incentivar el número de pasajeros, pero también es un paso hacia una mayor coherencia con pólizas regionales. (Traducción: Queremos que el transporte público sea una opción fácil y accesible para todos). 

Alamo Creek Shuttle: Frequent Rider Rewards

Win prizes for riding each month!

We’re giving back to you, our frequent Alamo Creek Shuttle riders! Passengers who ride the most each month will be eligible to receive a gift card. The more rides you take, the greater your chance of winning!

To participate:

  1. Ride the Alamo Creek Shuttle: Check with your driver when you board to fill out a sign-up sheet. We count ridership from the 1st of the month to the end of the month.
  2. Continue to Ride: Each time you ride, you can log your trip with the driver.
  3. Final Drawing: At the end of each month, we’ll select 5 passengers with the most logged trips and contact you if you are a winner.

Prizes: Winners may choose between a Clipper Card ($20) or a Starbucks gift card ($20).

FEATURES OF ALAMO CREEK SHUTTLE

• Free to anyone traveling to and from the Danville Park ‘n Ride and Walnut Creek BART.
• Shuttle may stop at other locations within the 1.5 mile corridor along Camino Tassajara and 1-680
• Scheduled pickup at your door.
• Call 925-943-1829 for reservations 7 days a week.

Alamo Creek Shuttle Schedule
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Route 27 & 99X Consolidating

Effective August, 6, 2023, Routes 27 and 99X will be consolidated to form a single, more direct 99X providing express service between Martinez Amtrak and North Concord BART, better serving the surrounding community and those traveling in this area. Additional features of the new alignment and schedule include:

  • FARE-FREE RIDES: The new 99X will be fare-free, no payment required for passengers
  • SERVICE TO HIGH USAGE STOPS: The new route will continue to serve high usage stops (North Concord BART, Concord Adult Homeless Shelter, Morello/Arnold, Martinez Amtrak, and Mason Circle)
  • STREAMLINED SERVICE: We’ve cut segments of Routes 27 and (former) 99X that have little to no ridership. The new Route 99X will not stop at Pike Ln, Pacheco Transit Center, Muir Rd, and Arnold Dr.
  • IMPROVED AMTRAK TRANSFERS: We’ve better aligned our run times to line up with the train schedule running out of Martinez Amtrak.
  • MAINTAIN SERVICE LEVELS: Though two routes are becoming one (new) route, we’re still preserving existing service levels overall, including hours and frequency

    (See map below for updated route as well as eliminated segments)

See updated Route 99X Map

Learn more about this project

Pass2Class – Free Bus Passes for Students

Pass2Class for 2023/24 school year now available! Pass2Class offers free bus passes to Contra Costa students at the beginning of the school year to encourage the use of bus transportation to and from school. The 2023 program offers free County Connection, Tri Delta Transit, WestCAT, or AC Transit bus passes for up to two (2) students per household for up to two months.

APPLY TODAY!
¡APLICA HOY!

Image of Pass2Class advertisement

Pass2Class Eligibility Requirements

  • The application must be completed by a parent / guardian.
  • The parent/guardian must agree to have their student take the bus for travel to and from school instead of being driven in a family vehicle.
  • Students must be 19 years of age or younger and enrolled in a public or private school (grades 1-12) located in Contra Costa County.
  • The parent/guardian must agree to complete a follow-up survey and agree to receive 511 Contra Costa’s monthly e-newsletter.
LEARN MORE
APRENDE MÁS

Pass2Class is made available with funding from Contra Costa Transportation Authority and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

Image of bus agency logos

Summer Youth Pass 2023

Last day to purchase: Friday, July 21, 2023

Looking for discounts on public transit this summer? The Summer Youth Pass might be your answer! If you live in Contra Costa County, you can ride Tri Delta Transit, WestCAT, or County Connection unlimited for $30 all summer long. Now, that’s a deal. (You can’t even see 3 summer blockbuster movies for that much.)

PURCHASE YOUR SUMMER YOUTH PASS
LEARN MORE

Summer Youth Pass Details

  • Valid June 1-August 31, 2023
  • Eligible for ages 6-18 years
  • Participants must live, work, or attend school in Contra Costa County. Proof of eligibility may be required.
  • Limited to five (5) passes per household.

See service area maps:

Program Rules:

  • Summer Youth Passes are valid on local and express routes operated by County Connection, Tri Delta Transit, and WestCAT from June 1, 2023 to August 31, 2023. Not valid on Paratransit, Tri MyRide and Transbay services.
  • Actual pass price $60. Advertised $30 price reflects a $30 supplement per pass provided by 511 Contra Costa. Passes receiving the 511 Contra Costa supplement are limited in quantity and available only while supplies last.
  • The 511 Contra Costa supplement is available to youth ages 6-18 who reside, work, or attend school in Contra Costa County only. Proof of eligibility may be required. Limit five (5) passes per household.
  • Summer Youth Passes are non-refundable, non-redeemable and non-transferable. No refunds shall be made for purchased passes. Lost or stolen passes shall not be replaced. No refunds shall be made if one or more participating transit agency provides free fares during validity period.
  • Summer Youth Pass is made available with funding from Contra Costa Transportation Authority and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

Travel Training For Seniors & Disabled Persons

Concord, CA, April 25, 2023 – County Connection is pleased to announce our newly founded Travel Training Program for seniors and disabled community members living in Central Contra Costa County. A program of Central Contra Costa Transit Authority and in partnership with Independent Living Resources of Solano & Contra Costa Counties (ILR), this free service is intended to teach practical travel skills to those who may be unsure how to navigate public transit on their own.  

Some of the tools participants will learn include understanding how to plan a trip on public transit, safe and secure travel tips, and using technology to locate a bus and pay for fares. There are individual and group trainings available, as well as field trips for anyone wanting to experience riding a County Connection fixed-route bus within a safe, supportive, and accessible learning environment. Skills learned through the trainings are applicable to all public transit.  

“We have been working to develop this program for many years,” expressed Rashida Kamara, Director of ADA & Special Services with County Connection. “Public transit is for everyone and being able to expand our existing ADA services with this program gives people independence and quality of living–just by simply demystifying how to ride a bus.”

Helping to lead the travel trainings is Sarah Birdwell, who is a person with a disability and says, “I’m an advocate for disabled rights and am passionate for giving back to my community.” Birdwell has sat on the board of two different committees in the disability community and uses her positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others. “Something that may seem as simple as riding a bus is intimidating for many seniors and disabled people…especially with emerging technologies,” said Birdwell. “I’m here to help.”

For those who know someone or are interested in this Travel Training Program themself, participants must reside in Clayton, Concord, Martinez, Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek, or Unincorporated Central Contra Costa County. If participants live outside of the service area, many other regional transit agencies also offer similar programs, including WestCAT, FAST, and MTC. 

To learn more please visit the ILR website (ilrscc.org) or contact Sarah Birdwell, Travel Training Program Coordinator, at sarahb@ilrscc.org, 925-363-7293 (ext. 114). 

Public Hearing: Route 27 and 99X Service Change

UPDATE ON PUBLIC HEARINGS
Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on the proposed service changes for Route 27 and 99X during today’s public hearing. We heard a lot of great comments and our Board approved the proposal to consolidate the two routes into a single free route, connecting Martinez Amtrak to North Concord BART. Changes will take effect August 6, 2023. Look for additional notifications posted on buses and our website.

Notice of Public Hearing – Thursday, May 18, 2023, 9:00 am

The Central Contra Costa Transit Authority (County Connection) will hold a public hearing to gather comment on proposed changes to Route 99X and elimination of Route 27, which would be replaced by select trips on Route 99X. The proposal also includes offering free rides on Route 99X. Further information on the proposed changes is provided below.

Service & Fare Change Proposal

Route 99X began operating in August 2018 and is funded by the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) cap and trade grant program. Since its launch, the route has not attracted much ridership and continues to underperform compared to other express routes. Given its low performance, changes are being proposed to increase efficiency and productivity. The proposal also includes consolidation of Route 27, which currently provides limited trips within North Concord. The proposed new alignment and schedule would:

  • Provide a faster and more direct connection between North Concord BART and Martinez Amtrak;
  • Continue serving high usage stops like North Concord BART, Concord Adult Homeless Shelter, Morello/Arnold, Martinez Amtrak, and Mason Circle;
  • Eliminate route segments with little to no ridership on both Routes 27 and 99X, including Pike Ln, the Pacheco Transit Center, Muir Rd, and Arnold Dr;
  • Improve transfer connections with Amtrak; and
  • Preserve existing service levels overall, including hours and frequency

Since the consolidation of Route 27 into Route 99X would result in current riders on Route 27 paying the higher Express route fare when using Clipper, the proposal also includes making Route 99X fare-free.

Staff reports:

Service Change ProposalDownload
Route 99X Free Fares ProposalDownload

How to Comment

Comments can be submitted in writing via mail, email, or online, or at the scheduled public hearing. Written comments must be received by May 10, 2023.

  • Add a comment on this post (bottom of page)
  • Mail your comment in writing to:
    Director of Planning & Marketing
    2477 Arnold Industrial Way
    Concord, CA 94520
  • Email planning@countyconnection.com
  • Speak at the public hearing on Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 9:00 am (in person or via teleconference):

It is anticipated that the Board of Directors will take action on the proposed program at their regular meeting scheduled for May 18, 2023, following the public hearing.

Transit Operator Appreciation Day, Fare-Free March 18

Concord, CA – Transit Operator Appreciation Day is Saturday, March 18, 2023, and County Connection, Tri Delta Transit, and WestCAT are offering a day of fare-free rides. No payment will be required on all three agencies’ buses for fixed routes and paratransit. Additionally, Tri Delta Transit’s ride-hailing service, Tri MyRide, will not require any payment for the day either.  

Transit Operator Appreciation Day, sometimes called Transit Driver Appreciation Day, started in 2009 in Seattle as a blog about appreciating bus drivers. By 2014, the name was changed to cover the diverse public transportation available throughout the United States. The day is set aside to thank and appreciate transit drivers for their service for the community.  

Image of bus operator with text 'Transit Operator Appreciation Day'

“The contribution drivers make has never been realized more than over the past three years of the pandemic. Transit operators performed a critical and essential service during this time by continuing to provide public transportation,” said Tri Delta Transit CEO, Rashidi Barnes.  

Transit Operator Appreciation Day continues to be a notable day for those who value public transportation and want to acknowledge those on the front lines operating transit vehicles. In addition to risking possible exposure to COVID-19, transit operators have been asked to adapt to ever-changing regulations and dramatic fluctuations in ridership demand, adapt to new schedules, as well as work to fill open shifts due to national driver shortages.  

“There’ve been a lot of unknowns in the past few years in public transit operations,” acknowledged Bill Churchill, General Manager of County Connection. “We’re so proud that, despite any setbacks, we’ve maintained a high on-time performance rate—a testament to the dedication of our bus operators.”  

Rob Thompson, General Manager of WestCAT, shared a similar sentiment of transit drivers, stating, “Our drivers truly are the front line for our agencies. Their commitment and hard work are invaluable in providing public transit to our communities.”  

The three partnering transit agencies are glad to offer a day of fare-free riding for passengers, hoping to bring attention to this annual day of recognition. “We hope by going fare free, riders can focus on the driver and their rider experience, and vice-versa, instead of focusing on fares,” says Tri Delta Transit Board Chair Anissa Williams. “For Transit [Operator] Driver Appreciation Day, agencies hope everyone takes a moment to thank their transit driver when riding the bus and post positive messages on the social media pages of the system you ride so that the drivers can see them.”  

To learn more about these transit agencies, visit TriDeltaTransit.com, CountyConnection.com and WestCATorg.  

County Connection Operators Approve 3-Yr Offer

Central Contra Costa Transit Authority (CCCTA) has reached an agreement with the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), Local 1605, who voted 54% in favor of extending their contract with an economic package proposed by CCCTA.  

CCCTA’s Board of Directors has a long history of offering comparable packages to all of its labor partners. Upon receiving a request for an offer from the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District Lodge No. 190 (IAM) the same offer was made to the other two unions, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (Teamsters) Local 856 and ATU, Local 1605. The ATU, Local 1605 received the offer on October 27th and members voted on December 20th. In order to expedite the process, the Board held a special meeting on December 21st to ratify the contract, which was set to expire on January 31, 2023. With the needed simple majority member approval, the contract is now extended through January 31, 2026. 

For the agreed upon terms, the ATU was offered the same contract as that of IAM and the Teamsters, with both approving the offer, unanimously, in November 2022. ATU members now have a 3-year extension package and a five percent (5%) raise in year one, which includes a includes a $2,500 tax-free payment up front. In year two, ATU members will receive an increase of four percent (4%), followed by three percent (3%) in the final year.

Chair of the Board, Amy Worth, said of the agreements, “The continued success of CCCTA depends on the stability, mutual understanding, and respect shared between its management and their represented labor partners. Now more than ever, the services offered to Central Contra Costa are crucial to the residents within the County Connection service area.” Worth added, “To have all three unions approve a 3-year contract well ahead of the contracts expiring, is heartening and tells me this public agency is on the right path forward and ensures continued service reliability for our residents.”