News – Page 2 – County Connection

News Archive

Passenger Survey

County Connection is conducting a survey through the month of September to find out more about your transit needs and rider experience.

Over the next few weeks, passengers on our routes may be asked to complete a quick survey to help us understand how our services are being used and where we can improve.

You can also fill out the survey online at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/cccta2022. Even if you’re not currently riding transit, we encourage you to complete the survey to help us plan for the future.

All responses are confidential. We appreciate your participation and input!

Administrative Offices to Reopen to Public Starting Tuesday, 9/6

County Connection’s administrative offices, including the LINK Paratransit office, will reopen to the public starting Tuesday, September 6, 2022. Our offices will be open Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Masks are currently required while inside our offices.

Our Customer Service call center continues to be staffed during regular hours (Monday – Friday, 6:30 AM to 6:30 PM) and can be reached by phone at (925) 676-7500 or email at help@countyconnection.com.

We will also be continuing our mobile lobby and outreach events. Click here for a schedule of dates and locations.

Wheels and County Connection Consolidate Paratransit Services

Innovative approach for ADA qualified riders eliminates need for transfers.

LIVERMORE, CA – CONCORD, CA The Boards of Directors of the Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (Wheels) and the Central Contra Costa County Transit Authority (County Connection) have approved the consolidation of paratransit services previously operated independently by the two transit systems.  The innovative approach of this partnership will help increase agency productivity, improve service delivery, and enhance the customer experience, as evidenced by a recent customer satisfaction survey.  This agreement follows a successful pilot project to test the concept, called One-Seat Ride, which features regional collaboration between Wheels, County Connection, WestCat, and Tri-Delta Transit that was designed to address essential paratransit interagency travel during COVID-19 that took riders, within the four participating agencies’ areas of service, to their final destination with no transfers.

“This new partnership with County Connection goes way beyond the One-Seat concept,” said Alameda County Supervisor and LAVTA Board Chair David Haubert. “The 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) required cities to provide paratransit service for residents with disabilities, but provided no operating funds.  The consolidation of Wheels and County Connection paratransit services allows the agencies to more efficiently spend transportation funding dollars by sharing resources, while providing vital services to those riders unable to use a fixed-route service due to disabilities.”

Riders eligible for paratransit services under ADA will find using the newly consolidated Wheels and County Connection services streamlined by the availability of a smartphone app to make the transit network more accessible and allows passengers access to real-time information to track their ride, receive status notifications, cancel, and rate their ride.  Currently booking a paratransit trip remains through phone reservation systems, however, coming this winter, riders will be able to book trips online through the mobile app as well.

“As the population ages, more and more people rely on paratransit to get around,” said City of San Ramon Mayor and County Connection Board Chair Dave Hudson. “With the growing need, we have to be smart about how we provide these services. This paratransit consolidation enables Wheels and County Connection to offer better access to transportation, especially to destinations that cross the boundaries of the two agencies without riders having to get out of their seat to transfer between rides saving time and enhancing safety.”

The new consolidation of paratransit services is seamless to riders. Eligible people for paratransit services under the ADA, those unable to use regular buses and trains due to a disability or disabling health condition, can make reservations 1 to 7 days in advance through County Connection LINK (925) 938-RIDE (938-7433) and Wheels Dial-A-Ride: (925) 455-7510.  Rides are door-to-door and the costs to use the paratransit services are calculated by the reservationist at the time of booking.  One-Seat Rides will continue to be available through the (925) 680-2134 reservation line.

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About County Connection

County Connection operates fixed-route and paratransit bus service throughout the communities of Concord, Pleasant Hill, Martinez, Walnut Creek, Clayton, Lafayette, Orinda, Moraga, Danville, San Ramon, as well as unincorporated communities in Central Contra Costa County. In 2022, County Connection received the Outstanding Paratransit Program Award from the California Association for Coordinated Transportation (CalACT).

For more information, visit countyconnection.com or call Customer Service at (925) 676-7500.

About the Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority

The Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA) was created in 1985 by the cities of Dublin, Livermore and Pleasanton and Alameda County to serve area transit needs. In 2018 and 2019, LAVTA was named Transit Agency of the Year by the California Transit Association and the California Association for Coordinated Transportation, respectively. In 2020, LAVTA was named the top transit agency of its size in North America by the American Public Transportation Association.

LAVTA supports environmental sustainability by reducing vehicle trips and traffic congestion on local streets and improving air quality in the Tri-Valley region. In addition to passenger fares, the agency is supported financially by federal, state and local agencies, including the Alameda County Transportation Commission’s Measure B and BB.

Follow LAVTA on Facebook at facebook.com/wheelsbus and on Twitter @wheelsbus or visit our website wheelsbus.com for more information on Wheels and Rapid bus services, our Dial-A-Ride paratransit service as well as our Go Tri-Valley promotion with Uber and Lyft.

Fall Fare Promotions – 2022

County Connection looks forward to welcoming back more passengers this Fall. Click here for 600-series school route schedules for the 2022/2023 school year. Our buses are operating at full capacity and masks are strongly recommended.

We encourage all of our passengers to learn about our various discounted Clipper programs, including our day pass, youth fare, and Clipper START for low income adults. Learn more about these programs below.

Pass2Class

Take County Connection to school FREE

Skip the traffic and save gas while getting your students to school. With 511 Contra Costa’s Pass2Class program, it’s easy to make the switch. To help students return to school, we’re giving free rides for two months.

Students who are registered in a public or private school (grades 1-12) located in Central or Southwest Contra Costa can receive a County Connection pass that is valid through September (up to 2 per household and while supplies last).

Youth Clipper Discount

Youth (ages 6-18) get 20% off when using a Youth Clipper card

Youth ages 6-18 automatically get 20% off the adult Clipper fare when using a Youth Clipper card on County Connection.

Riders can apply for a Youth Clipper card by submitting an application via mail, email, or fax along with proof-of-age documentation. Once approved, a card will be sent by mail. To obtain a card immediately, call us at (925) 676-7500 to arrange an in-person visit.

Tip: Now you can transfer your existing plastic Youth Clipper card to your phone and pay fares with your mobile wallet! Click here to learn more about paying your fares with a smartphone. Please note that you must apply for and obtain a plastic Youth Clipper card first before transferring it to your phone.

Clipper START Discount

Eligible riders can get discounts on County Connection, BART, & more

Clipper START is a pilot program to provide fare discounts to eligible riders. Participants can receive a 20% discount off County Connection single-ride Clipper fares, plus discounts on BART, Tri Delta Transit, WestCAT, Wheels, and more!

To qualify, you must:

  • Be a resident of the San Francisco Bay Area  
  • Be 19-64 years old  
  • Not have an RTC Clipper Card for people with disabilities   
  • Have a household income of 200% of the federal poverty level or less

2022/2023 School Schedules

Please note that face masks are strongly recommended while on the bus.

Last updated:10/28/2022

Find schedules for our 600 series school routes for the 2022/2023 school year below. Note that schedule times on routes may have been adjusted due to bell time changes or to improve on-time performance.

Lamorinda School Districts

Acalanes Union High School District

Route 606: Orinda BART – Miramonte High  –  Orinda Intermediate  –  Lafayette BART

Route 625: Lafayette BART – Happy Valley Rd – Acalanes High

Lafayette School District

Route 626: Lafayette BART – Stanley Middle School – Saint Mary’s College

Orinda Union School District

Route 606: Orinda BART – Miramonte High  –  Orinda Intermediate  –  Lafayette BART

Mt. Diablo School District

By route:

Route 608: VA Clinic – College Park High – Valley View Middle – DVC – removed from service effective November 13. New service available on Route 28 effective November 13.

Route 611: Concord BART – Oak Grove Rd – Oak Grove Middle

Route 612: Concord BART – Clayton Rd – Pine Hollow Middle

Route 613: Oak Grove Middle – Oak Grove Rd – Detroit Ave – Concord BART

Route 615: Concord High – Olympic High – El Dorado Middle – Concord BART

Route 616: Concord BART – Monument Blvd – Oak Grove Rd – Oak Grove Middle

Route 619: Oak Grove Middle – Pleasant Hill BART

By school:

San Ramon Valley Unified School District

By route:

Route 622: Pine Valley Middle – California High – Crow Canyon Rd Click here for new schedule effective November 13, 2022

Route 623: Alamo Plaza – Monte Vista High – Camino Tassajara – Crow Canyon Rd

Route 635: Windemere Ranch – Gale Ranch Middle – Dougherty Valley High  –  Tassajara Ranch

Route 636: Iron Horse Middle – Bollinger Canyon Rd – California High – Pine Valley Middle – Dublin/Pleasanton BART Click here for new schedule effective November 13, 2022

By school:

Walnut Creek School District

By route:

Route 601: Walnut Creek BART – Rossmoor – Walnut Creek Intermediate

Route 602: Walnut Blvd – Trotter Way – Walnut Creek BART – Walnut Creek Intermediate

Route 605: Creekside Dr – Walnut Creek Intermediate

By school:

Free Rides on Monument Corridor Routes

Starting July 1, 2022, free rides will be expanded to include weekend Route 311, 314, & 316!

In July 2019, County Connection began offering free rides on three of its weekday bus routes – Routes 11, 14, and 16. Starting July 1, 2022, free rides will be expanded to weekend Routes 311, 314, and 316. All six routes serve the Monument Corridor in Concord and connect from Concord BART to various destinations in Martinez, Pleasant Hill, and Walnut Creek, including BART stations, Martinez Amtrak and Contra Costa Regional Medical Center.

This project is being funded by a grant through California’s Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP), which distributes cap-and-trade proceeds to support a wide range of programs and projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and deliver other economic, environmental, and public health benefits for Californians.

Maps & Schedules

Route 11

Concord BART – Oak Grove Rd – Treat Blvd – Pleasant Hill BART
Span of Service: 6:00 am – 8:00 pm
Frequency: 40-90 min

Route 14

Concord BART – Monument Blvd – Pleasant Hill BART – Walnut Creek BART
Span of Service: 5:30 am – 9:30 pm
Frequency: 30 min

Route 16

Concord BART – Monument Blvd – Gregory Ln – Alhambra Ave – Contra Costa Regional Medical Center – Martinez Amtrak
Span of Service: 5:30 am – 10:00 pm
Frequency: 40 min

Route 311

Concord BART – Oak Grove Rd – Treat Blvd – Pleasant Hill BART – Walnut Creek BART
Span of Service: 8:30 am – 8:30 pm
Frequency: 60 min

Route 314

DVC – Contra Costa Blvd – Monument Blvd – Concord BART
Span of Service: 7:00 am – 8:00 pm
Frequency: 30 min

Route 316

Martinez Amtrak – Morello – Arnold – Muir – DVC – Buskirk – Pleasant Hill BART
Span of Service: 7:00 am – 7:30 pm
Frequency: 75 min

County Connection Scavenger Hunt

County Connection Búsqueda de Tesoros

May 24th is National Scavenger Hunt Day.  To celebrate, County Connection invites you to participate in our scavenger hunt.

Rules of entry:

Each contestant must submit no later than May 26th 5:00p.m. their entry(ies).

How to enter:

  • Email entries to volk@cccta.org using #CountyConnectionScavengerHunt2022 in subject line
  • Twitter: @cccta
  • Facebook: @CountyConnectionCA
  • Instagram: @countyconnection
  • Use #CCCTAScavengerHunt2022 in your entry

Prize:

Winner will receive a pre-loaded Clipper Card valued at $25.00.

Winner will be notified around May 31, 2022.  The winner will need to submit name, address, and phone number upon notification to receive Clipper Card in mail.

Winning odds is dependent on number of entries.

Questions:

Call Customer Service 925-676-7500 or email volk@cccta.org using #CountyConnectionScaventerHunt in subject line.

SCAVENGER HUNT:

For every two (2) photos submitted, you receive one (1) entry into the drawing:

  1. Photo of a County Connection bus traveling
  2. Photo of you riding on a County Connection bus
  3. Photo of you with a County Connection bus operator
  4. Photo of a County Connection bus with a bike
  5. Photo of a County Connection bus at a bus stop
  6. Photo of a County Connection bus at a BART station
  7. Photo of a County Connection bus at the San Ramon Transit Center
  8. Photo of a County Connection bus at DVC
  9. Photo of a County Connection bus at Amtrak
  10. Photo of a County Connection bus stop (no bus needed)
  11. Photo of a County Connection bus stop with a shelter
  12. Photo of a County Connection bus stop with a bench
  13. Photo of a County Connection bus stop with a schedule information panel
  14. Photo of a County Connection bus schedule
  15. Photo of you with County Connection staff at a Mobile Lobby & Outreach Event
  16. Photo of your choice of Public Transit

Scavenger Hunt 2022 – English

2022 Summer Youth Pass

2022 Summer Youth Pass

Unlimited Bus Rides
June 1 to August 31, 2022
Ages 6–18
Only $30*

 

Retail Locations

County Connection Mobile Lobby – Click here for locations and times

Tri Delta Transit
801 Wilbur Ave, Antioch
Mon-Thurs: 7:00am – 6:00pm
Fri: 8:00 am – 5:00pm

 

Questions?

Click here for answers to some Frequently Asked Questions.

Have More Questions or Need Help?
Email: store@511contracosta.org
Phone: (925) 322-0365

Program Rules:

Summer Youth Passes are valid on local and express routes operated by County Connection, Tri Delta Transit, and WestCAT. Not valid on Paratransit and Transbay services.

*Actual pass price $60. Advertised $30 price reflects a $30 supplement per pass provided by 511 Contra Costa. Passes receiving the 511 Contra Costa supplement are limited in quantity and available only while supplies last.

The 511 Contra Costa supplement is available to 6-18 year olds who reside, work, or attend school in Contra Costa County only. Proof of eligibility may be required. Limit five (5) passes per household.

Summer Youth Passes are Non-Refundable. No refunds shall be made for purchased passes. Lost or stolen passes shall not be replaced.