News & Announcements – County Connection
Service Bulletin: Masks no longer required but strongly recommended

Category: News & Announcements

Summer Youth Pass 2023 – Available now!

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
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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.  

RFP NOTICE – Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT)

The Central Contra Costa Transit Authority (County Connection) is seeking proposals for Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) management services.  County Connection was formed in 1980 as a joint powers agency to provide coordinated transportation services within central Contra Costa County. County Connection provides both fixed route and paratransit services to the following cities and jurisdictions: the Cities of Clayton, Concord, Lafayette, Martinez, Orinda, Pleasant Hill, San Ramon, Walnut Creek, the Towns of Danville and Moraga and unincorporated areas of central Contra Costa County.

For more information on this RFP visit our procurement page: https://countyconnection.com/procurements/

Service Changes Effective January 8, 2023

Service Changes Effective January 8, 2023:
Routes 4, 10, 20, 301, 310, 311, 314, 315, 320, 321, and 335.

ROUTEWHAT CHANGEDSCHEDULE
4Rerouted from Locust to S. California due to long term construction on Locust.Download PDF
10Adjustments to running times on select trips.Download PDF
20Adjustments to running times on select trips.Download PDF
301Adjustments to running times to interline with Route 311.Download PDF
310Adjustments to running times to interline with Routes 315 and 320.Download PDF
311Adjustments to running times to interline with Route 301.Download PDF
314Adjustments to running times.Download PDF
315Adjustments to running times to interline with Routes 310 and 320.Download PDF
320Adjustments to running times to interline with Routes 310 and 320.Download PDF
321Adjustments to running times to interline with Route 335.Download PDF
335Adjustments to running times to interline with Route 321.Download PDF

WHY ARE THERE CHANGES IN SERVICE?
County Connection is making adjustments to a few of our routes. These service changes are in response to feedback and intended to best meet customer demand. If you have questions, contact Customer Service 925-676-7500.

¿POR QUÉ HAY CAMBIOS EN EL SERVICIO?
County Connection está haciendo ajustes en algunas de nuestras rutas. Estos cambios en el servicio están destinados a satisfacer mejor la demanda de los clientes. ¿Preguntas? Comuníquese con Servicio al Cliente al 925-676-7500.

Service Changes Effective November 13, 2022

Winter service changes will take effect starting Sunday, November 13, 2022, and will include changes to Routes 10, 28, 35, 321, 335, 608, 622, and 636.

RouteChangeNew Schedule
10Renamed time point Washington/Clayton. Timetable unchanged.Download PDF
28Rerouted to Center. Added AM trip leaving Amtrak at 6:50.
Times adjusted.		Download PDF
35Northbound times adjusted.Download PDF
321Northbound times adjusted 6 minutes earlier.Download PDF
335Northbound times adjusted 6 minutes earlier.
Southbound times adjusted 2 minutes earlier.		Download PDF
608Removed from service. Stops now served by Route 28.See Route 28 Schedule.
622Times adjusted 10 minutes later and extended route to
Bollinger Canyon/N Gale Ridge.		Download PDF
636Times adjusted 10 minutes later from Pine Valley/Broadmoor.Download PDF

Bus Bridge Courtesy of County Connection

October 15-16: Due to BART trackway repairs in Pleasant Hill between Concord and Pleasant Hill BART Stations, there will be no train service. County Connection will provide free bus bridge for passengers traveling between the BART stations. For more information on this project visit: BART Bridge

Route 311 is also an alternative route with service to Concord, Pleasant Hill, and Walnut Creek BART Stations.

Temporary bus relocation: Route 311 at Concord BART will be relocated to the Route 20 bus stop, located nearby at the first bus stop on the transit aisle. See map for stop location Concord BART Station Map.

Free Rides in October on All Routes

Ride free in October on County Connection. (Image of a cartoon bus flying through the sky.)
  • All County Connection buses and paratransit are free to ride for the entire month of October, no payment required for any passenger. 
  • A month of free rides is made possible by federal stimulus funding and is intended to not only help essential workers save money but encourage commuters to take public transit. 
  • While public transit ridership numbers remain below pre-pandemic levels, County Connection has doubled its passenger count in the past two years. 

Have you heard? County Connection is offering free rides to all who board one of our buses along any route, as well as paratransit. A month of fare-free riding this October is just one of the ways County Connection, and other public transit agencies like WestCAT, hope to encourage more people in Contra Costa County to choose public transportation as a commute option.  

During Fall 2019, average monthly passenger levels were over 300,000 compared to the fall of 2020 when there were fewer than 100,000 monthly passengers, down by 71% from the previous year. By comparison, in August 2022, there’s been some uptick, with roughly 200,000 bus passengers.  

Infographic of monthly passenger averages by year, 2019-2022. Image reflects roughly 300k passengers per month in 2019, 100k in 2020, 150k in 2021, and 200k in 2022.

Although daily routines are returning to what they were before the pandemic, public transit ridership remains low. “County Connection is not the only bus agency that saw a dramatic dip in ridership,” says Bill Churchill, General Manager of County Connection. “Though an industry-wide trend, we are proud to have doubled our passenger count in the past two years.” 

Still, the commuter landscape has changed—maybe forever as more office-based work allows for flexible and on-going work schedules Those who do not have the option to work from home are choosing to drive alone on their commute, leaving many public transit routes with very little ridership.  

Federal funding has been made available for transit agencies to apply toward operational costs as well as a stimulus for increasing ridership. “We plan our routes and frequency of bus service based on our passenger counts,” explained Pranjal Dixit, Manager of Planning, “and travel patterns are still irregular.” In spring 2021, County Connection made a major service change to better match service levels to rider demand, which included shifting resources from peak-hour commute routes in order to preserve essential local service. 

County Connection serves Central Contra Costa County and is especially critical for the essential workforce who may not have any other commute option, as was evident during the height of the pandemic when 20% of passengers never stopped riding. In addition, given recent increases in traffic congestion, gas prices, and climate change impacts, public transit provides a greener, cost-effective alternative to driving alone. Free rides on County Connection will not only help essential workers save money, but hopefully persuade others to get back on transit–perhaps beyond October. 

For more information on County Connection routes serving your area, visit countyconnection.com or call Customer Service at (925) 676-1976.