Free Mid Day Program For Senior and Disabled Passengers Starts Sunday – County Connection

Free Mid Day Program For Senior and Disabled Passengers Starts Sunday

Recently, County Connection’s Board of Directors approved a plan to establish a promotional free ride program for senior and disabled riders during the mid-day hours of 10am and 2pm seven days a week on any County Connection regular or express fixed-route service. The promotion will take effect on Sunday, December 22.

“County Connection is responding to a need in our community for reliable transportation options for the elderly and persons with disabilities,” said Bob Simmons, County Connection Board Chair and City of Walnut Creek Council Member. “Because this group is often living on a fixed income, we are pleased to offer this Free Ride Program during the mid-day, in addition to our already reduced rates to ride at other times of the day.”

To take advantage of the Free Ride Program, riders need to show bus operators proof of eligibility. Seniors need only show a photo ID with a birth date of 65 years of age or older. Other forms of eligibility include an RTC Discount Card, DMV placard registration receipt, a Medicare Card, or a Veteran Disability card.

The Free Ride Program will be offered by County Connection for a promotional period of six months, after which the feasibility of extending the program will be studied. As a general reminder, the first few seats of the bus are designated to allow easy access for elderly and disabled riders.

 

 

19 thoughts on “Free Mid Day Program For Senior and Disabled Passengers Starts Sunday

  • This is a great idea! Thank you as most of the riders are either senior, disabled, students, and the low-income!

  • I’m a disabled with RTC card. I showed my card to the driver this morning and was told its only for senior citizens I thought it was for disabled too.
    No complaints just confused

    -Lori

    • You’re right. It is for seniors and disabled so your RTC card should have been all you needed. I’ll forward this to our transportation department so they can clear up confusion. If it happens again, let us know. If we can get more details…route, time of day, direction of travel, driver description, it also helps pinpoint who we need to speak with.

      Happy-safe New Year

  • I appreciate the free ride; however I live near Olivera and take the 17 bus, which does not run on weekends, what about us?

    • The program is based on our current service levels, so unfortunately, those areas with no current weekend service will still have no service – mid day or otherwise.

  • Thanks! I will bring this up at the Mental Health Commission’s next meeting and ask to have us send you a formal thank you

  • Thank you for re-starting this program.Being disabled I’m on a very fixed income and every penny I can save helps.

    • Seniors can ride and County Connection fixed-route bus between 10AM and 2PM seven days a week. To take advantage of the Free Ride Program, riders need to show bus operators proof of eligibility. Seniors need only show a photo ID with a birth date of 65 years of age or older. Other forms of eligibility include an RTC Discount Card, DMV placard registration receipt, a Medicare Card, a Senior Clipper card, or a Veteran Disability card.

  • Hello,
    My mother is 91 & lives in Walnut Creek. Is this program still in operation? If so, she just needs to find the routes near her??

    • So sorry for the delay…We do still have the program where senior/disabled passengers ride free between 10AM and 2PM. Let us know where she lives and needs to travel to, and we can send you a package of route schedules. You can email me a burdick@countyconnection.com.

  • Hello, I am wondering if this program is still currently running and if so, what are the areas covered and has the times changed?
    -Thank you,
    Daisy

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