News – Page 13 – County Connection

News Archive

Our Customer Service Shines

In this day of automation, we’re used to having instant information available at our fingertips. And here at County Connection, we do. Our user friendly website, Bus Tracker bus tracking system, and our free downloadable mobile app mean you can get the information you need, when you need it.

Sometimes, however, you might need a little more personal assistance. That’s where County Connection’s Customer Service Representatives step in. Our information center is staffed with live telephone operators. No phone menus to navigate, no numbers to push. At County Connection you’ll find real live people on the other end of the line. We answer 84% of our calls within :30, so time on hold is minimal.

We’re here to help you. Our information center is open Monday-Friday from 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM, and on Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Automation is great, but nothing beats quality customer service. Give us a call at 676-7500.

 

Detours In Place For May Day March In Concord

The May Day March scheduled to take place between 4:00 – 6:00 PM on May 1 will require detours for Routes 11, 14, 17, 19, 20, and 91X.

Westbound Willow Pass Rd. will be closed between Gateway and Galindo. Westbound Gateway will also be closed between Clayton Rd. and Willow Pass Rd. Eastbound directions will be open. Buses using Detroit Avenue will be delayed.

Route 11:  From Concord Bart:

  • Regular route to Salvio St.
  • Right on Concord Ave.
  • Left on Market St. to regular route

From Pleasant Hill Bart:

  • Regular route to Market St.
  • Continue straight on Market St.
  • Right on Concord Ave.
  • Left on Pacheco St.
  • Right on East St. to regular route.

Route 14: From Concord Bart:

  • Regular route to Oak St.
  • Left on Galindo St
  •  Onto Monument Blvd.
  • Back to regular route

   From Pleasant Hill Bart:

  • Regular route to Monument Blvd.
  • Right on Oak St.
  • Back to regular route

 

Route 17 & 19: Will use regular Monday detour in place (for food trucks in Todos Santos Park).

  • Regular route to Willow Pass Rd.
  • Right on Willow Pass Rd.
  • Left on East
  • Left on Pacheco
  • Right on Grant to regular route

 

Route 20:  From Concord Bart:

  • Regular route to Willow Pass Rd.
  • Right on Willow Pass Rd
  • Left on East St.
  • Left on Salvio St.
  • Right on Concord Ave.
  • Left on Market St
  • Right on Willow Pass Rd.
  • Back to regular route

From DVC:

  • Regular route to Market St.
  • Left on Market St.
  • Right on Concord Ave.
  • Left on Pacheco St.
  • Right on East St.
  • Stay right onto Park St.
  • Left on Grant
  • Onto Oak St.
  • Left on Mt. Diablo
  • Left into Bart

Route 91X:  From Concord Bart:

  • Right on Park St.
  • Left on East St.
  • Left on Salvio St.
  • Right on Concord Ave.
  • Back to regular route

From Diamond Blvd: 

  • Regular route to Willow Pass Rd.
  • Left on Market St.
  • Right on Concord Ave.
  • Left on Pacheco St.
  • Right on East St.
  • Stay right onto Park St.
  • Left on Grant
  • Onto Oak St.
  • Left on Mt. Diablo
  • Left into Bart

Bus Riders Reduce CO2 Emissions

In March County Connection bus riders reduced CO2 emissions by 28,946 pounds EACH WEEKDAY. Way to go!

Using County Connection’s average trip length (one way) of 5 miles, each person who leaves their car at home and uses the bus will reduce CO2 emissions by 4.35 pounds. So, by riding just one day a week you can make a difference.

Real time options such as the on-line trip planner, Bus Tracker  the free transit app, Clipper, and free Wi-Fi on all buses make using the bus more convenient and predictable. Check out these amenities today!

Event At Concord BART May Impact Bus Flow

On Monday, April 17, 2017 BART will host a media event to kick off the beginning of the Concord BART station modernization project. The event will take place at 10:00 AM and last approximately one hour. Speakers will be staged near the construction sign across from the bus island.

While no significant impact to bus service is expected, buses may be re-directed, depending on the number of people in attendance. County Connection staff will be on hand to assist bus operators and passengers.

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.

Congratulations To Monroe

County Connection 2017 Local Roadeo Winner

You’ve probably seen his face before!
Monroe Woodard will once again represent County Connection in the 2017 International Bus Rodeo sponsored by the American Public Transit Association (APTA). The annual competition features the best of the best from transit properties across the United States and Canada – all vying for the coveted bragging rights. This year’s event takes place in Reno, Nevada in May.

Competitors must maneuver a 40-foot bus through an obstacle …course consisting of ten “problems” ranging from precise passenger stops, tight right and left turns, serpentine turns, and a judgment stop – just to name a few. Drivers are also judged on their appearance, safety skills and the smoothness of operation. And finally, they have just 7 minutes to complete the course.

Monroe has represented County Connection at the National event several times, and recently earned the top score in County Connection’s local “roadeo” event. Competition is fierce among County Connection operators and the scores get closer each year.

Monroe has been driving for County Connection for over 20 years and began competing 12 years ago.

We’re all rooting for you Monroe!

Rt. 92X, 96X, and 97X Detour on 3/30/17

The roadway at 2600 Bishop Ranch will be closed on Thursday, March 30ths. Buses will detour as follows:

For all 92X Northbound

From Bishop 1

Right   Executive Parkway

Right Into Transit Center

Drop off 2600 BR passengers @ SRTC

Continue regular Route

 

 For all 96X/ 97X Northbound

From Bishop 8

Left  Executive Parkway

Drop off 2600 BR Passengers @ last 35/36 Stop on Executive Pkwy

Right Camino Ramon

Right Bishop Dr

Left   Sunset Dr

Continue regular Route