County Connection is experiencing technical difficulties with the on-board software, impacting both Bus Tracker and Transit app predictions as well as the on-board time display. The problem appears to be random which makes troubleshooting more difficult. We appreciate your patience while we work through this problem.
Category: Recent Events
BART Strike
BART workers are on strike. County Connection has set up temporary bus stops on perimeter streets outside the BART stations.
Due to anticipated traffic delays on freeways and surface streets our local service may be delayed. County Connection riders can get real time arrival predictions from Bus Tracker, the new program recently introduced that provides real time arrival predictions for any bus route in the system.
BART will operate charter bus service from the Walnut Creek and Dublin BART stations beginning at 5:30 AM. More information on this service can be found at http://bart.gov/.
Commuters are urged to plan ahead and consider altering work schedules, carpooling, or telecommuting. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission has established a web page alert.511.org to keep commuters up to date on BART strike activity, traffic conditions, casual carpool pick-up locations, BART bus service options, and other transit and ridesharing options.
Court Street In Martinez Will Close On Thursdays During Farmers Market Season
On Thursdays between now and October 24th Court St. in downtown Martinez will be closed to traffic between 10 AM and 2 PM.
Bus service on Routes 18, 19 and 28 will detour during this time as follows:
Heading TO Amtrak from Court Street
Left on WARD ST.
Right on CASTRO ST.
Left on COURT ST.
Left on MARINA VISTA to AMTRAK
From AMTRAK
Right on MARINA VISTA
Left on ALHAMBRA AVE.
Left on ESCOBAR ST.
Right on CASTRO ST.
Left on WARD ST.
Right on COURT ST. to Regular Route
Annual Food Drive Begins Monday, Nov. 26th
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 26th, 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.
New Detours In Concord
Bonifacio St. In Concord Will Be Closed For Sewer Line Contstruction Nov. 2012 Through January 2013 – Detours For Rts. 17 and 19
17 Detour –
From BART Concord to BART North Concord/Martinez – No Service at Bonifacio at Grant (this direction only)
L Park St.
R Grant St.
R Pacheco St.
L East St. onto Grant St. to
R Grant St. onto Solano Way
R Olivera Rd.
L Port Chicago Highway
R BART station entrance
R BART bus service road.
From BART North Concord/Martinez to BART Concord – No Stops Affected
Follow regular route to: East St.
R Pacheco St.
L Colfax St.
L Salvio St. to regular route.
Route #19 Detour for November 2012 thru January 2013.
Northbound – Stops affected are:
Grant/ Pacheco, Grant/Bonifacio and Bonifacio/Concord Ave
Start BART Service Road
Left Park St.
Right Grant St.
Left Willow Pass Rd.
Right Concord Ave. to Regular Route.
Southbound – No stops affected
Expect Bus Detours In DT Walnut Creek
Building demolition at Newell/Mail November 5-16 affect Routes 2, 21, 602 and 605. See below.
Meet The Class of 2012
Meet The Class of 2012
Training takes place at the County Connection all year long to assure that bus operators remain current with all state and federal licensing requirements. But once each year County Connection participates in a different kind of training – puppy training.
Through their volunteer network, San Ramon Valley Guide Dogs For The Blind raise and train puppies to eventually be paired with an owner. Part of the training involves learning how to use public transportation, so they will one day safely assist their owner in daily travel.
“The puppies need to learn how to use the buses if they are to graduate and become guide dogs”, said Louise Pay, club leader for San Ramon Valley GDB. “Before trainers take their puppies out into the community using public transportation, they need to make sure the animal is not frightened by the noise and movement and can remain under the trainers’ control.”
During their training at the bus yard, puppies are encouraged to walk around the bus while it’s running and become familiar with the sights and noises associated with the bus. They hear the air brakes and the release noises when the bus “kneels”. They hear the doors opening and closing, and the ramp unfolding or sliding out from the undercarriage. However, the majority of training is spent practicing the use of the mechanical wheelchair lift. If nerves are going to come out, this is typically where it happens.
“We’re thankful that County Connection helps us each year with this important element of training. This step is just as important for the trainers as it is for the puppies. They leave the bus yard knowing what they need to work on with their puppy.”
For information on San Ramon Valley Guide Dogs For The Blind, please visit www.srvguidedogs.com.
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. Updated schedules are available at BART stations, City Offices, and public libraries throughout central Contra Costa. For immediate schedule information, please call Customer Service 676-7500 or visit www.cccta.org for more information.
No Bus Service On Monday, September 3, 2012
County Connection will not operate on Monday, September 3, 2012 – Labor Day. This is one of six holidays observed by County Connection.
Bus Stop Closure In Walnut Creek
The bus stop at Boulevard Way and Iris – served by the Rt. 1 bus traveling from Rossmoor to Walnut Creek BART – will be closed effective Monday, July 30th. This stop will not be accessible long term due to construction activity at the site.
Passengers will need to use the bus stop at either Boulevard Way and Saranap, or Boulevard Way and Olympic.
CCCTA Board Recognizes Employees
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.