Category: Employee Login

County Connection’s Annual Food Drive Begins November 26 

Concord, Calif.– When Thanksgiving leftovers are put away, please take a moment and consider those with no leftovers. In the spirit of giving and generosity, County Connection will ask employees and passengers to donate food for the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. Beginning Monday, November 26^th, County Connection buses will become rolling collection points for passengers wishing to donate food. The tradition, which began nearly thirty years ago, brings much needed food to the community each year. Last year, County Connection passengers contributed over 850 pounds of food.

All County Connection buses will have plastic milk crates placed near the front of the bus to hold donations, and when needed, road supervisors will meet buses on the road to empty crates that are full. The most needed items are protein sources like peanut butter and canned meats, all canned goods, dried beans, rice, pastas, iron rich cereal, tomato products, and 100% fruit juice. Food Bank officials have asked that no glass containers be donated as they can easily break during transportation and sorting.

On Thursday, July 19, 2012 the County Connection Board of Directors recognized thirteen employees who achieved employment milestones in the past year. Among those recognized were five employees with thirty years of service.

“On behalf of the Board, I would like to express our appreciation for the passion and pride you bring to work every day,” said Amy Worth, County Connection Board Chair. “Your commitment is reflected in County Connection’s reputation as one of the safest and most well maintained transit systems in the nation.”

The thirteen employees represent 198 years of experience. Each employee was introduced by General Manager, Rick Ramacier, who described each employee’s tenure and career highlights.  The audience learned how a maintenance employee, hired thirty years ago as a fleet service employee responsible for cleaning and fueling the buses, grew to become a top level mechanic responsible for all aspects of engine and system maintenance and repair. Another employee who assists with the training and development of all newly hired operators is also recognized nationwide as a certified trainer for the U.S. Department of Transportation.

“Hearing how employees have grown through the years speaks well not only of the development opportunities available to County Connection employees, but also to the supportive environment that makes employees want to stay.”

County Connection was formed in 1980 as a Joint Powers Agency to provide bus transit service throughout Central Contra Costa County. County Connection operates a fleet of 29 ft., 35 ft., and 40 ft. fully accessible fixed-route buses, and a fleet of 63 paratransit vehicles.  For specific schedule information, please call Customer Service 676-7500 or visit www.cccta.org for more information.

County Connection will run regular non-school day service on Monday, February 21, 2011. All regular fixed-route and express buses will operate as scheduled. Bus schedules are available at www.cccta.org or by calling 925-676-7500.

County Connection recently added a trip planner to the website, powered by Google Maps, to help transit users plan local and regional trips. “County Connection has partnered with Google Transit, making it easier for people to plan transit trips that involve other transit partners within the immediate Bay Area and beyond”, said Dave Hudson, County Connection’s Board of Directors Chairman. “Having County Connection’s bus schedules included in the Google Transit databank with hundreds of transit providers worldwide will bring added convenience to both current and new riders.”  The trip planning feature is also accessible on I-phones and select mobile devices.

The introduction of the trip planner completes the agency’s overhaul of its website, which was introduced in October 2010. “It was time to step up our game in terms of how people get information in today’s technology driven environment,” said Hudson. The newly designed site is organized such that the most frequently sought information is available within two clicks, and has links to Facebook and Twitter accounts, where news stories, service advisories and news releases are regularly posted.

County Connection operates a fleet of 29 ft., 35 ft., and 40 ft. fully accessible fixed-route buses, and a fleet of 63 paratransit vehicles.  For specific schedule information visit the new trip planner on www.cccta.org. Customer Service is also available by calling (925) 676-7500.

Anton is not your typical teenager – or is he?

Like many young students Anton began riding County Connection buses when he was in middle school, primarily to get to and from school. And like most of his friends his age he now has his driver’s license. But unlike most young adults, he still appreciates and rides the bus. “I like that I don’t have to be dependent on having a car to get around. I use the bus to visit friends in town, to go the movies in Walnut Creek, and just yesterday, my friends and I took the bus to BART and went to San Francisco.”

Approaching adulthood during a time of heightened awareness of the environment and climate change, Anton, and many of his friends welcome the options available beyond relying solely on a car to get around. “Even though I live in a small suburban community, I feel lucky to have the great transit connections we have. Between the bus and the BART system – a person can get just about anywhere without a car.”

Both Anton and his mother appreciate the reliable service, the courteous drivers, and the addition of Sunday service.

Congratulations Anton. Keep riding and keep spreading the message.

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