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County Connection collaborates with neighboring transit providers to Pilot a Paratransit One-Seat Regional Ride Program

Attention Riders: In an effort to make traveling across multiple public transit service areas easier and safer for paratransit riders, County Connection is piloting a collaborative One-Seat Regional Ride Program. Participating in the service is Eastern Contra Costa Transit Authority, operators of Tri Delta Transit, Western Contra Costa Transit Authority, operators of WestCAT, and Livermore-Amador Valley Transit Authority, operators of Wheels Bus. The pilot program aims to streamline current regional ride practices by eliminating required transfers for trips that cross multiple transit service areas. With the new program, passengers can have one-seat for the entire duration of their trip. The program has been in development for quite some time, but amid coronavirus spread concerns, the implementation date has been accelerated to help minimize interactions between passengers, drivers, and vehicles.

How to book a One Seat Regional Ride?

To use this service, call (925) 680-2134 to book a trip.

How much does it cost?

The cost depends on the participating agency’s paratransit fares. When you book your one-seat ride, the reservationist will tell you your final fare.

Which Transit Agencies are currently participating in the One Seat pilot?
  • County Connection LINK
  • Tri Delta Transit
  • WestCAT
  • LAVTA
What does a One-Seat ride mean?

Once your reservation has been booked, you will be provided a one-seat ride with no need to transfer. A driver will pick you up from your location and take you directly to your final destination.

What if my Paratransit agency does not participate in the One-Seat program?

If either the origin or destination of your trip is outside the areas served by the four participating agencies, your Paratransit agency will assist you in booking a regular transfer trip, and coordinating all arrangements between your paratransit agency and any connecting agencies participating in your trip.

Clipper START & Youth Fare Pilot Programs

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 TypeCurrent Clipper FareProposed 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.

Public Meeting PresentationDownload

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.

  • In writing to:
    Director of Planning & Marketing
    2477 Arnold Industrial Way
    Concord, CA 94520

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.

COVID-19 Information Center

Click here for service updates and information on current safety guidelines.

County Connection has been closely monitoring the changes surrounding the Coronavirus, or COVID-19. The health and safety of County Connection employees, passengers, and the communities we serve remains a top priority and the Authority is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all.

On March 16, 2020, a Stay at Home Order was issued in Contra Costa County, along with six (6) other Bay Area counties. County Connection, alongside other public transit providers across the nation, remained an essential service through this time. As such, County Connection has implemented processes, procedures, and mitigation efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These steps were taken following guidance from agencies such the Contra Costa County Department of Health Services (CCHS) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

Learn more about County Connection’s response to COVID-19:

Regional Collaboration

From a regional perspective, transportation agencies across the Bay Area have also recognized the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, County Connection began working in partnership with other transportation agencies to develop policies, procedures, and other mitigation efforts that included enhanced communication efforts, vehicle modifications, improved sanitation efforts, and modified work schedules. Each of these efforts were done to promote the safety and well-being of employees, passengers, and the communities we serve.

The collaboration of the Bay Area’s twenty-seven (27) operators has led to the development of the Riding Together: Bay Area Healthy Transit Plan. This plan provides a unified and comprehensive framework of health and safety commitments, mitigation standards, communication efforts, and responsibilities for transit providers, employees, and passengers across all systems. The Healthy Transit Plan uses guidance from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the World Health Organization (WHO). This plan was also developed in partnership with regional leaders, transit employees, paratransit providers, rider advocates, and public health experts to ensure a safe transportation network in the Bay Area.

A key component of the Healthy Transit Plan is the assessment of plan effectiveness through monitoring and data collection. A metrics dashboard is currently in development by all transportation agencies, which will report the progress of each individual transit operator on the common commitments. Dashboard data will be updated monthly and be publicly accessible. The plan is designed to provide a flexible approach that responds appropriately as new information is gained and as changes surrounding COVID-19 occur.

The Riding Together: Bay Area Healthy Transit Plan and metrics dashboard can be found at www.healthytransitplan.com

APTA Health & Safety Commitments Program

County Connection has joined the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) “Health and Safety Commitments Program,” the public transportation industry’s overarching pledge to passengers that public transit systems are taking all the necessary measures to operate safely as the nation recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Program was developed after asking transit users from across the country what measures would make them feel more confident riding public transportation amid concerns about COVID-19. From this research, the industry identified four key areas that transit systems need to address to earn riders’ confidence:

  • Following public health guidelines from official sources
  • Cleaning and disinfecting transit vehicles frequently and requiring face coverings and other protections
  • Keeping passengers informed and empowered to choose the safest times and routes to ride
  • Putting health first by requiring riders and employees to avoid public transit if they have been exposed to COVID-19 or feel ill

To learn more, visit apta.com/commitments.

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Service Changes Effective October 4, 2020

Winter service changes will take effect starting Sunday, October 4, 2020, and will include schedule adjustments to Routes 4, 6, 7, 35, 92X, 93X, 95X, 96X, 310, 311, 314, 316, 320, 321, & 335.

RouteChangeNew Schedule
4Revised schedule Download PDF
6Revised schedule Download PDF
7Revised schedule Download PDF
35Revised schedule Download PDF
92XRevised schedule Download PDF
93XRevised schedule Download PDF
95XRevised schedule Download PDF
96XRevised schedule Download PDF
310Revised schedule Download PDF
311Revised schedule Download PDF
314Revised schedule Download PDF
316Revised schedule Download PDF
320Revised schedule Download PDF
321Revised schedule Download PDF
335Revised schedule Download PDF

2020/2021 School Schedules

Due to COVID-19, 600-series school route schedules are subject to change. Check this page regularly for updates.

Last updated: 8/3/2020

600-series routes will not operate while schools are closed

600-series school routes will not operate until schools reopen for in-person instruction. Please visit the school district websites below for updates.

Summary of Changes

Schedule times on most routes have been adjusted due to bell time changes or to improve on-time performance. In addition, the following routes have been modified:

  • Route 612: Rerouted from Ayers/Kirker Pass to Clayton Rd
  • Route 614: Eliminated (alternate service on Route 612)
  • Route 635: Removed route segment along Camino Tassajara
2020-08 School Map PosterDownload

2020/2021 Schedules

Lamorinda School DistrictsDownload
Mt Diablo School DistrictDownload
San Ramon School DistrictDownload
Walnut Creek School DistrictDownload

Service Changes Effective August 9, 2020

UPDATE (8/4/2020): Additional schedule adjustments have been made due to COVID-19. Affected routes are noted as UPDATED in the table below.

Fall service changes will take effect starting Sunday, August 9, 2020, and will include schedule adjustments to ALL routes, plus routing changes on Routes 6, 28, 92X, 97X, 311, & 321.

Click here for changes to 600-series school routes for the 2020/2021 school year.

Summary of Changes

System Map (effective 8/9/2020)Download
Route
Schedule Adjustment
Routing Change
 Change Details
New Brochure
1 Schedule Adjustment Schedule adjustments Download PDF
4 Schedule Adjustment Schedule adjustments UPDATED Download PDF
5 Schedule Adjustment Schedule adjustments UPDATED Download PDF
6 Schedule Adjustment Routing Change Schedule adjustments, eliminate Orinda Community Center loop UPDATED Download PDF
7 Schedule Adjustment Schedule adjustments UPDATED Download PDF
9 Schedule Adjustment Schedule adjustments Download PDF
10 Schedule Adjustment Schedule adjustments UPDATED Download PDF
11 Schedule Adjustment Schedule adjustments Download PDF
14 Schedule Adjustment Schedule adjustments Download PDF
15 Schedule Adjustment Schedule adjustments Download PDF
16 Schedule Adjustment Schedule adjustments Download PDF
17 Schedule Adjustment Schedule adjustments Download PDF
18 Schedule Adjustment Schedule adjustments Download PDF
19 Schedule Adjustment Schedule adjustments Download PDF
20 Schedule Adjustment Schedule adjustments Download PDF
21 Schedule Adjustment Schedule adjustments UPDATED Download PDF
27 Schedule Adjustment Schedule adjustments Download PDF
28 Schedule Adjustment Routing Change Schedule adjustments, reroute from Arnold/Center to Muir Rd and extend to Concord BART Download PDF
35 Schedule Adjustment Schedule adjustments UPDATED Download PDF
91X Schedule Adjustment Schedule adjustments Download PDF
92X Schedule Adjustment Routing Change Schedule adjustments, modify routing through Bishop Ranch to remove stops at BR 15 and Bishop/Sunset UPDATED Download PDF
93X Schedule Adjustment Schedule adjustments UPDATED Download PDF
95X Schedule Adjustment Schedule adjustments UPDATED Download PDF
96X Schedule Adjustment Schedule adjustments UPDATED Download PDF
97X Schedule Adjustment Routing Change Schedule adjustments, new stop ordering within Bishop Ranch (BR 1, SRTC, BR 2600, Bishop/Sunset) Download PDF
98X Schedule Adjustment Schedule adjustments Download PDF
99X Schedule Adjustment Schedule adjustments Download PDF
310 Schedule Adjustment Schedule adjustments, all trips extended to serve Clayton Download PDF
311 Schedule Adjustment Routing Change Schedule adjustments, remove John Muir Hospital loop (replaced by Route 321) Download PDF
314 Schedule Adjustment Schedule adjustments Download PDF
315 Schedule Adjustment Schedule adjustments Download PDF
316 Schedule Adjustment Schedule adjustments Download PDF
320 Schedule Adjustment Schedule adjustments Download PDF
321 Schedule Adjustment Routing Change Schedule adjustments, add John Muir Hospital loop Download PDF
335 Schedule Adjustment Schedule adjustments Download PDF

Contra Costa Accessible Transportation Strategic Plan

Let’s make transportation convenient for older adults and people with disabilities!

If you’re an older adult, have a disability, or are a veteran, transportation in Contra Costa County can be challenging. We want to identify ways to make it easier for you to get around the county—whether you’re going to an appointment, getting groceries, visiting family, or anything else.

You can participate from home!

Due to the shelter-in-place we are asking individuals to complete the survey online or participate in a short phone interview. Participants will be entered in a drawing for a $25 gift card! 

Accessible Transportation Strategic PlanDownload
Plan Estratégico de Transporte Accesible de Contra CostaDownload

Administrative Offices Closed to Public Starting Wednesday, 3/18

County Connection’s administrative offices, including the LINK Paratransit office, will be closed to the public starting Wednesday, March 18, 2020 until further notice.

County Connection will continue to operate regular service aside from 600-series routes. Due to school closures, the 600-series routes are currently not in service. Service on those routes is expected to resume once schools are back in session.

Customer Service call center will also remain 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.

Please check our website regularly, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay informed.

For lost and found inquiries, please call (925) 676-7500.

Additional Info for LINK Passengers

If you need to purchase LINK tickets or pay for ADVANCE PAYMENT, please mail your check to County Connection LINK at:

County Connection LINK
LINK tickets
2477 Arnold Industrial Way
Concord, CA 94520
Do not come to the office, it will be closed to the public.

If your LINK Advance payment account is depleted of funds because of the delay in submitting your payment, LINK will continue to provide trips but will send you an invoice at the end of the month with 15 days to remit payment. Our main concern is the safety of our riders, staff and drivers.

COVID-19 Service Updates

Updated 04/28/2022:

Please note that effective April 28, 2022, masks are required when riding BART. However, masks remain optional on County Connection but are strongly recommended. Click here for more information on BART’s mask policy.

Updated on 04/19/2022:

As a result of a court order, the federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) mandate requiring mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs was rescinded, and masks are no longer required on County Connection buses. However, CDC continues to recommend that people wear masks in indoor public transportation settings at this time.

Click on page 2 below to see older posts

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Proposed Continuation of Monument Free Program

The Public Hearing originally scheduled for March 19, 2020 has been cancelled and rescheduled for April 16, 2020.

DUE TO COVID-19, THIS MEETING WILL BE CONDUCTED AS A TELECONFERENCE. Click here for more info.

Notice of Public Hearing

The Central Contra Costa Transit Authority (County Connection) will hold a public hearing to gather comment on the proposed continuation of a pilot program offering free rides on weekday Routes 11, 14, and 16, as long as funding remains available for the program through the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) or another similar funding source. These routes serve low-income communities along the Monument Corridor 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.

Comments can be submitted in writing via mail, email, or online, or at the scheduled public hearing. Written comments must be received by March 11, 2020.

How to Comment

  • In writing to:
    Director of Planning & Marketing
    2477 Arnold Industrial Way
    Concord, CA 94520
  • At the public hearing:
    Thursday, April 16, 2020 at 9:00 am
    County Connection Board Room
    2477 Arnold Industrial Way
    Concord, CA 94520

It is anticipated that the Board of Directors will take action on the proposed fare program at their regular meeting scheduled for April 16, 2020, following the public hearing.