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LINK Gives Back

LINK Gives Back

When the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) became law, it meant that all public transit operators were required to provide special service to persons whose disabilities prevent them from using fully accessible public transit. At County Connection we call this ADA service LINK, which offers demand response location-to-location service for seniors and those with disabilities. A person’s ability to use LINK for all or for some of their transit trips is based on an individual’s specific condition(s). You may or may not know that County Connection contracts out the operation and maintenance of our LINK paratransit services to a private transportation company known as First Transit. This includes approximately 50 First Transit employees assigned to work according to a County Connection contract with First Transit. These hard working folks have been doing a great job for us for years. They have consistently maintained an excellent safety record, while providing a high level of customer service.

In addition to the regular work these First Transit employees do for us, many of them are involved in our community in other ways outside of work. While it is springtime at County Connection now, a great example of the dedication First Transit employees have to their community comes from this past holiday season, specifically on Christmas Day. To be sure I get the facts correct, I’m going to share with you what County Connection’s First Transit Site Manager Tim McGowen wrote about this particular event.

“Christmas is a special time when most of us get together with our loved ones. For many people, enjoying Christmas dinner with family and friends is a tradition that goes back through the generations. For some; however, the dinner table may be set for just one.

Christmas for Everyone (CFE) is non-profit volunteer organization with the goal that no one in Contra Costa County should go hungry; be without a present, or be alone on Christmas. CFE has been serving people in need during the Christmas season for the past 30 years! Through the generosity of local businesses, associations, churches, and others in the community, CFE has provided a Christmas experience for about 2,500 people per year.

For the past 15 years, First Transit’s Concord, California location, in collaboration with County Connection, has partnered with Christmas for Everyone to transport Contra Costa County residents for a Christmas celebration that includes dinner, gifts, entertainment, and great fellowship.

First Transit drivers Sonia Craig, Tyree Barnes, and John Higashi volunteered their time this past Christmas Day to transport more than 50 guests to the event. I have to say that it’s incredible to work with such great people. My team really believes in giving back to the community. It truly shows through this project.

CFE Executive Director, Mary Perez acknowledged the work and resources provided by First Transit and County Connection and said, “First Transit and County Connection have been so generous to us in the past, contributing the use of vehicles and amazing drivers who picked up those who cannot drive to CFE. We are blessed to have them as partners on this project.”

As the General Manager for First Transit in Concord, I extend my personal thank you, to our drivers Sonia, Tyree and John, for spreading some heartfelt Christmas cheer to many people who otherwise would have spent time alone on Christmas. This is a great example of the dedication and commitment to the community that our First Transit operators give on a daily basis and it is greatly appreciated. 

I join Tim in acknowledging this volunteer work, and add our appreciation for the work that County Connection LINK drivers do to make better access to our community possible for our LINK customers.

FOR MORE

About LINK: Download an application to assess your eligibility for the County Connection LINK paratransit service.

About Christmas for Everyone: Visit their Facebook page or call 925-228-2233.

Increase in Traffic Congestion on Contra Costa County Freeways

Have you noticed an increase in traffic?

​A recent study​ indicates delays caused by ​congestion increased about 10% from 2015 to 2016.  Going back as far as 2010, congestion has increased by 80%.

​Three major freeways in Contra Costa County made the top 10 worse commutes in 2016​: I-680, Hwy. 24 and Hwy. 4.

Did you know that County Connection has bus service in these areas?

​If you’re traveling along I-680, we offer Express Service to: Bishop Ranch, Walnut Creek BART, Pleasanton Train Station (ACE), Dublin BART and Martinez Amtrak.

In Orinda and Lafayette there is bus service serving Orinda, Lafayette, and Moraga areas, as well as a connecting bus from Lafayette BART to Walnut Creek BART.

The dreaded Highway 4 commute has options as well depending on where you are going.  Many buses start at Amtrak in downtown Martinez, connecting to several BART stations.

With the increase in traffic and no solution to lower congestion, the most affordable way to get around is using County Connection buses.

All County Connection buses are equipped with wheelchair access, free wi-fi, Clipper, and bike racks.  Bus Tracker and Realtime information is also available using your smart phone.

For more information, contact Customer Service at 925-676-7500.  Customer Service is open Monday to Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

https://countyconnection.com/about/real-time-bus-tracker/

 

Walnut Creek BART Construction

Attention Passengers:

Walnut Creek BART is now under construction for the new Walnut Creek Transit Center.  This new transit center will consist of more parking, apartments, restaurants, shops, etc.

County Connection service at Walnut Creek BART will remain unchanged until further notice.

For more information on the Walnut Creek Transit Center, click here: https://www.wcbartparking.com/

Have You Completed The Survey?

County Connection recently sent postcard invitations to random households in central Contra Costa County inviting you to complete an online survey about transportation projects and options.

Your feedback will help us learn what is important to you and allow us to better serve the transportation needs of your community.

If you didn’t get a postcard in the mail and wish to participate, click here to take the 5-minute survey.

Thank you in advance for your participation.

National Dump The Pump Day Is Thursday, June 15, 2017

Thursday, June 15th is national Dump The Pump Day. Dump the Pump was introduced 12 years ago by the American Public Transit Assn. to remind us that public transportation doesn’t just help people save money, it also helps communities grow and prosper. For every $1 invested in public transportation, $4 is returned in economic returns. Taking advantage of your public transit system helps people and their communities grow strong!

To learn about bus routes in your neighborhood either visit the website at https://countyconnection.com/maps-schedules/ or call our customer service center at 925-676-7500 to speak with a live telephone operator.

State Transportation Funding Package Passes

Transit systems across the state are breathing a collective sigh of relief. The transportation funding package which passed the state legislature on April 6th will provide much needed operating funds, and in many cases, prevent service cuts facing many transit providers.

County Connection anticipates receiving approximately $2 million, which will fill the gap from lower than budgeted state and local sales tax funds.

For transit systems across California, SB 1:

  • Increases the incremental sales tax on diesel fuel dedicated to the State Transit Assistance another 3.50% – generating approx. $250 million/year at first, and increased by a CPI factor over time – to be used for transit capital and operations purposes;
  • Increases the incremental sales tax on diesel fuel another 0.50% – generating approx. $40 million/year at first, and increased by a CPI factor over time – and dedicates these revenues to intercity passenger rail systems and commuter rail systems; and,
  • Establishes a new “Transportation Improvement Fee” under the Vehicle License Fee law (removing Article XIX restrictions) and dedicates these revenues as follows:
    • Approximately $105 million/year to the STA program, for “state of good repair” types of expenditures;
    • About $245 million/year to the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program, the competitive transit capital program overseen by the California State Transportation Agency; and,
    • About $250 million/year to a new “Solutions for Congested Corridors Program” which would be available to the California Transportation Commission, for allocation to project applicants for a balanced set of transportation, environmental and community access improvements within highly congested travel corridors in California.

For a detailed outline of transportation improvements please see the SB1 Funding Outline as presented by the California Transit Association.