Notice of Public Hearing
The Central Contra Costa Transit Authority (County Connection) will hold two public meetings and one public hearing to gather comments on the proposed implementation of two one-year pilot programs offering a 20% discount on single-ride Clipper fares for eligible low-income adults as part of the regional Clipper START program, and for youth ages 6-18.
Proposed Program
In May 2018, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) approved implementation of a pilot Regional Means-Based Fare Program (later named Clipper START) to provide discounted fares for low-income adults. The initial 18-month pilot, which launched in July 2020, was limited to four of the larger transit systems in the Bay Area: BART, Caltrain, Golden Gate, and Muni. Adults (ages 19-64) with incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level are eligible for the discount, which is provided using a specially encoded Clipper card. MTC is providing funding to partially offset the cost of the program.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, MTC has elected to use funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to expand the Clipper START program to other transit operators in the region, including County Connection.
County Connection is proposing to join the regional Clipper START program and offer a discount of 20% off the regular, single-ride Clipper fare for qualifying individuals. Since the program is limited to adults and County Connection does not offer a discounted fare for youth, staff is also proposing the implementation of a 20% discount off the regular, single-ride Clipper fare for youth riders (ages 6-18) when using a Youth Clipper card. The table below summarizes the proposed discounts.
| Fare Type | Current Clipper Fare | Proposed Clipper START & Youth Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Local route | $2.00 | $1.60 |
| Express route | $2.25 | $1.80 |
| BART transfer | $1.00 | $0.80 |
All cash fares, as well as passes on Clipper, will remain the same. Fares would also remain unchanged for low-income riders who elect not to apply for the Clipper START discount, as well as youth who choose not to use a Youth Clipper card. Seniors (ages 65+) and people with disabilities would continue to receive a 50% discount, and children under 6 will continue to ride free.
If approved, County Connection would begin offering the Clipper START and youth fare discounts as a one-year pilot starting in January 2021. The program will be evaluated in partnership with MTC and the other participating operators to determine the feasibility and potential funding sources for continuing the program beyond December 2021. Due to current uncertainty around schools reopening and ridership demand among youth, the pilot period for the youth fare discount may need to be adjusted in order to ensure adequate usage data is available for evaluation.
How to Comment
Comments can be submitted in writing via mail, email, or online, or at the scheduled public meetings. Written comments must be received by November 10, 2020.
- Commenting on this post
- In writing to:
Director of Planning & Marketing
2477 Arnold Industrial Way
Concord, CA 94520
- Via email to planning@countyconnection.com
- At a public meeting (teleconference):
Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at 9:00 am
Web link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86924867407
By phone: 408-638-0968 (Meeting ID: 869 2486 7407)
Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at 5:00 pm
Web link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88304820750
By phone: 408-638-0968 (Meeting ID: 883 0482 0750)
Download presentation
- At the public hearing (teleconference):
Thursday, November 19, 2020 at 9:00 am
Web link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89716460143
By phone: 408-638-0968 (Meeting ID: 897 1646 0143)
It is anticipated that the Board of Directors will take action on the proposed fare discounts at their regular meeting scheduled for November 19, 2020, following the public hearing.