The County Connection Board of Directors approved the collection of an additional twenty five cents from riders on Express buses who currently use the monthly East Bay Value Pass, 12-Ride punch pass, and the 20-Ride Commuter Card. No additional fare is required for passengers using the 20-Ride Disabled/Senior punch pass, or transfer from a regular fixed-route bus or BART when they have a valid transfer slip.
When County Connection last raised fares in March 2009, the cash fare for Express bus service was established at $2.25 per trip. However, the pricing of the discount fare instruments was based on the regular fixed-route bus cash fare of $2.00. Currently discounted passes are accepted on both Regular fixed-route and Express buses.
Starting Sunday, January 2nd, passengers with discount bus passes will need to add the additional quarter into the fare box when riding an Express bus. Express bus routes include Routes 91X, 92X, 93X, 95X, 96X, 97X and 98X.
“It’s no secret that public transit agencies have been struggling to maintain service levels with declining operating funds”, said Dave Hudson, County Connection Board Chair. “County Connection needs to maximize the fare revenue collected within the structure that was adopted in March 2009.”
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, serving residents of Central Contra Costa County.