Teens – County Connection

Update: The zoom sessions have concluded but we’ve linked the slides below. If you have specific questions about routes or Youth Clipper cards, please give our Customer Service a call at 925-676-7500 or email help@countyconnection.com.

PRESENTATION HIGHLIGHTS

600-series buses operate during school days only and are scheduled around bell times at select schools. These buses schedules as well as our fixed-routes (regular bus services) are linked below by school.
Youth Clipper is the best year-round transit pass option for students ages 6-18. This card requires an application, but once done, your youth will be able to get half the cost (50% discount) of an Adult Clipper card. To apply:
- SUBMIT AN APPLICATION: Riders ages 6-18 can apply for a Youth Clipper card by mail, email or fax. By submitting an application, we are able to determine your eligibility.
- APPLY IN PERSON: Youth riders can get a card in person at County Connection, 2477 Arnold Industrial Way in Concord, M-F, 8am-3pm.
- Our staff offers a Mobile Lobby that pops up around Contra Costa County. All Mobile Lobbies have information on our services and programs, including applications for Youth Clipper. See the Mobile Lobby schedule for the month.

SCHOOL	DATE	START	ROUTES	SLIDES
Concord High/ El Dorado Middle	August 4	5:30pm	15, 615	PDF
Miramonte High/ Orinda Intermediate	August 5	5:00pm	6, 606	PDF
Walnut Creek Intermediate/ Las Lomas High	August 5	6:00pm	1, 4, 5, 14, 21, 601, 602, 605	PDF
Stanley Middle	August 6	5:00pm	626	PDF
Acalanes High	August 6	6:00pm	625	PDF
California High/ Pine Valley Middle	August 11	5:00pm	622, 636	PDF
Iron Horse Middle	August 11	6:00pm	636	PDF
Monte Vista High	August 12	5:00pm	623	PDF
Dougherty Valley High/ Gale Ranch Middle/ Windermere Ranch Middle	August 12	6:00pm	35, 635	PDF

Note: Some presentation recordings are not available due to an issue with the file or the length (size) of the file. Please see the PDF of the presentations when recordings are not available.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

How can we contact you?

Come see us!: 2477 Arnold Industrial Way, Concord (Mon–Fri, 8:00 am–3:00 pm)
Contact Customer Service: (925) 676-7500 (Mon–Fri, 6:30 am–6:30 pm)
Visit our website: countyconnection.com

Is there enough room for all the students?
Yes. Most 600-series routes use 40’ buses that hold about 70 passengers (seated + standing).

Do non-students ride the school buses?
Yes. County Connection is public transit, so we cannot deny boarding to non-students if space allows. However, buses are usually filled with students on the 600-series buses, so non-student boardings rarely happen.

Are bikes allowed?
Yes. All buses have front racks for two bikes. If the rack is full, drivers may allow bikes inside if space permits.

Do you provide morning service to schools?
Not all 600-series routes run in the morning. The following routes are afternoon only:
613, 615, 619, 622, 623, 626, 635. For carpool options, visit 511contracosta.org.

Does the bus leave after 6th or 7th period?
Buses are scheduled for 7th-period dismissal only.

How often do 600-series buses run in the afternoon?
Each bus makes one trip at the posted time. There are no extra trips.

Will the driver wait for students?
Yes. Drivers wait for students approaching the bus, generally up to three minutes.

Is there more than one bus per school?
Some schools have multiple buses; most have only one.

What if my student misses the bus?
Most 600-series buses make only one trip. If a fixed-route bus also serves the school, another option may be available.

Does the bus stop at every stop?
Yes, if passengers are waiting or a rider requests a stop (pull the yellow cord).

Will students know where the stop is?
Yes. Most stops are in front of the school. Look for the County Connection bus stop sign. (At WCI, some routes stop on Civic Dr. behind the school.) If you are not sure of the exact drop off or pick-up location is, please contact Customer Service (925-676-7500) to clarify.

How do I find the exact stop location?
Search the address or intersection on Google Maps and look for the bus stop icon. If you are not sure of the exact location, please contact Customer Service (925-676-7500).

Can I track when my child gets on/off the bus?
No. You can’t track individuals, but you can:

Use the Clipper app for real-time transit info.
Track bus locations on countyconnection.com by selecting the route and viewing the live map.

What’s the difference between a Youth and Adult Clipper Card?
They look the same, but youth cards are linked to birthdate and automatically apply a 50% discount until age 19. Adult Clipper Cards have the same function except the discount is not applied.

Does Pass2Class include a Clipper Card?
No. They are separate programs with separate applications.

Can a Youth Clipper Card be added to the app/wallet?
Yes. You need the physical card first to load it into your phone wallet and receive the discount.

How long does it take to get a Youth Clipper Card?

In-person at Concord office (M–F, 8:00a–3:00p): Same day (with required documents).
Online: A few weeks. Card is mailed after verification.

Does my child need to be present to apply?
No. Bring their ID, birth certificate, or passport for verification.

Can students pay cash without a Clipper Card?
Yes, but cash fare is $2.50 (exact change only). With a Youth Clipper Card, the fare is $1.00.

What time does the bus come on minimum days?
Buses adjust to the bell schedule. Example: On Monte Vista High minimum days (1:00 pm dismissal), the Route 623 bus arrives around 1:00 pm. For specific minimum-day times, check the route schedule or call customer service.

What if the bus is full?
If a bus reaches capacity, no additional students can board. Most school routes only have one bus. If overcrowding is consistent, our planning team reviews data to consider adding service, but it’s not guaranteed.

What about students in the Livorna Park/Rudgear area (Monte Vista High)?
There’s no direct bus. Students can take Route 623 to San Ramon Valley Blvd and transfer to Route 21.

Will the presentation be shared?
Yes, presentations are posted on our website in PDF format (except large video files).

How reliable is the 600-series service?
Very reliable. School routes are a top priority. If a bus is delayed, our transportation department notifies schools directly.

Questions? Please contact Marketing at marketing@cccta.org.

Youth Ride Free: Halfway Highlights

July 3, 2025July 3, 2025

In April 2025, the Youth Ride Free (YRF) summer pilot program was just a glint in eye of County Connection–and we were hoping to launch something that would get area youth (18 and under) to ride transit during the summer months, when transit numbers typically drop amongst younger passengers. Now, with the program at its halfway point, early data is showing that this simple, barrier-free approach is already delivering promising results.

Launched June 1, 2025, and going on through the end of July, YRF allows passengers ages 18 and under to ride any County Connection bus for free, with no application, ID, or special pass required. This approach removes obstacles that have traditionally discouraged young riders from using transit, helping to stimulate spontaneous, independent travel. As well, there’s some secondary “transit literacy” our riders are getting, like learning how to plan trips, read a timetables, or check out bus times on Transit–all helpful skills in building a lifelong relationship with public transit.

“In addition to providing free rides to our younger riders, we’re learning how to better serve youth by paying attention to their behavior and feedback,” said Andrew Smith, Director of Marketing & Communications at County Connection. “That’s data we can use to improve future programs, whether or not we’re able to offer free transit long-term.”

The campaign kicked off its outreach in late April with a three-pronged strategy: paid advertising, messaging via community partners, and word-of-mouth from riders and supporters. Engagement has been strong across the board surpassing 1 million views of online ads in English and Spanish. Notably, TikTok ads have led the way, generating more than double the impressions of other platforms.

Meanwhile offline and prior to summer break, County Connection staff visited 27 middle and high schools to distribute flyers and stickers, and partnered with local movie theaters to run YRF pre-preview ads across 34 movie screens. Additionally, over 160 media packets were sent to libraries, small businesses, and community partners to help spread the word.

But the real test of success? Ridership!

Just four weeks into the program,  youth boardings has already surpassed all of June and July 2024’s total Summer Youth Pass (now discontinued) usage, reaching  714% of last summer’s two-month total. With one month still to go, staff now expect a 50-60% increase in all youth ridership (Summer Youth Pass + Clipper Youth) by the end of July. Our ridership data reveals significant youth activity at locations including Hurricane Harbor Waterpark, schools offering summer programs, and popular hubs like Sunvalley Mall, City Center, and BART stations. Most popular routes include the 6, 10, 15, 20 and 35 on weekdays and the 310, 320, 321 and 335 on weekends.

Our very serious staff showing off our limited-edition County Connection trucker cap, available to winners on the Youth Ride Free Leaderboard. If you’re 13-18, register on the leaderboard to win weekly prizes (just for riding). youthridefree.com

To measure impact and gather insights, County Connection is tracking results through:

Passenger boardings (logged by our bus drivers)
YRF leaderboard, where riders ages 13-18 can log trips, earn digital badges, and win prizes like movie tickets, gift cards, and limited-edition County Connection merch (see image above). Note: While primarily an engagement tool, the leaderboard is also providing valuable insights into ridership trends by route and day of week. Join the leaderboard at youthridefree.com
(Coming soon) An opt-in survey (open to youth and parents through August)

Also exciting is that our neighboring agencies have joined in! Tri Delta Transit and WestCAT launched their own Youth Ride Free programs, sharing messaging to ensure a consistent experience for riders throughout the region. While WestCAT’s version requires an ID, the programs are otherwise aligned, giving youth a seamless travel experience across east, central, and western Contra Costa.

The YRF program is scheduled to end on July 31, at which point County Connection will share all data and lessons learned with partnering agencies. County Connection is currently exploring opportunities to sustain or build on the program after the pilot wraps up, and we will share more information just as soon as it’s available.

Youth Ride Free This Summer on Four East Bay Transit Agencies

News Promotions Teens

June 9, 2025June 9, 2025

CONCORD, CA – Four East Bay transit agencies—County Connection, Tri Delta Transit, WestCAT, and Wheels—are working to bring more young riders to public transit with their free youth promotions going on throughout the summer. From June 1 through July 31, youth aged 18 and under can ride for free on County Connection, Tri Delta Transit, and WestCAT, while Wheels offers its Summer Youth Ride Free for a second year with the promotion through August 31.

This collaborative initiative aims to increase transit use by making public transportation more accessible, especially for youth navigating summer social and work options.

“For Tri Delta Transit, this pilot lowers barriers and connects youth to summer jobs and programs—on our system and beyond,” said Rashidi Barnes, CEO of Tri Delta Transit. “There’s a whole world in California accessible by transit.”

In addition to increasing mobility, the pilot gives agencies a chance to better understand youth travel behavior. Ridership data is collected as youth board, and some agencies may have opt-in surveys, helping to provide a picture of the youth demographic and their travel habits, informing future planning and service decisions.

“It’s essential to build a new generation of riders,” said Rob Thompson, General Manager of WestCAT. “Youth can explore local systems and connect to others—like AC Transit, BART, and even ride our Lynx express to San Francisco, for free.”

“Wheels’ Summer Youth Ride Free program was a hit last year,” added Christy Wegener, Executive Director of LAVTA. “Now, with our neighboring agencies on board, we’re expanding that reach—helping youth connect in person and travel to jobs, getting them off their screens and out into their communities.”

This unified effort comes at a critical time—following a reallocation of funding and the recent discontinuation of the Summer Youth Pass. In its absence, these fare-free programs fill an essential gap, supporting not only youth mobility but also helping families who rely on public transportation during the summer months when school is out.

“The Youth Ride Free initiative helps us rethink how to serve young riders,” said County Connection General Manager Bill Churchill. “We’re excited about the data we collect–and even our new Youth Ride Free leaderboard–will inform future youth-focused programs.”

At the end of summer, Contra Costa and Tri-Valley youth can continue their transit journeys by utilizing a Youth Clipper pass which offers discounted fares across all Bay Area transit.

For more information about each agency’s free youth ride programs:

County Connection: countyconnection.com/yrf
LAVTA (Wheels): wheelsbus.com/summer-youth-ride-free/
Tri Delta Transit: trideltatransit.com
WestCAT: westcat.org/youthride

Clipper Fare Changes: More Discounts & Lower Express Fares

Teens

January 7, 2024October 23, 2024

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 TYPE	FARE (all routes)
Youth Clipper / Clipper START
Single Ride	$1.00 (all routes)
Bus-to-Bus Transfer	Free
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 TYPE	FARE (all routes)
Clipper
Single Ride	$2.00 (all routes)
Bus-to-Bus Transfer	Free
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

Image of a male youth holding up a Clipper card for Clipper Youth, $1.00 per ride.

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:

SUBMIT AN APPLICATION: Riders ages 6-18 can apply for a Youth Clipper card by mail, email or fax. By submitting an application, we are able to determine your eligibility.
APPLY IN PERSON: Youth riders can get a card in person at County Connection, 2477 Arnold Industrial Way in Concord, M-F, 8am-3pm.
- You’ll need to verify your birth date with an accepted form of identification for a Youth Clipper card.
- Find an in-person location near you by clicking here.

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
- CLICK HERE to apply

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

Teens

January 2, 2024May 1, 2024

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 autobús	Gratis
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 PAGO	TARIFA (todas las rutas)
Clipper
Viaje individual	$2.00 (all routes)
Traslado de autobús a autobús	Gratis
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
- HAGA CLIC AQUÍ para aplicar

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).

Pass2Class – Free Bus Passes for Students

Promotions

July 19, 2023July 19, 2023

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!

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.

Summer Youth Pass 2023

Promotions

May 9, 2023July 21, 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