As the cost of living continues to rise, more people are turning to public transit as a practical way to save money while getting where they need to go. Across the Bay Area, ridership is climbing, with BART, Caltrain, and Muni all reporting record-breaking post-pandemic ridership this March. And we’re seeing that same momentum here at County Connection.
While ridership has continued to grow since the pandemic, March saw an unusually large year-over-year increase, with 5% more riders compared to March of last year. In total, nearly 240,000 people rode County Connection in March 2026, with an average of about 9,700 weekday riders—making it our strongest March since 2019.
At the same time, we recognize that this growth is closely tied to real financial pressures facing our community. Rising fuel costs, in particular, continue to strain household budgets. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the national average price of gasoline rose from $2.93 per gallon in January 2026 to $4.13 in March—a 41% increase. In California, prices climbed from $4.15 in January to $5.83 in March, a 40% jump. While transit agencies also feel the impact of rising fuel costs, these conditions are prompting more people to consider transit as a reliable and cost-effective alternative.
That shift isn’t limited to the weekday commute. Weekend ridership is also growing, with more people choosing transit for shopping, dining, and recreation. In March, Saturday ridership was 36% higher than in March 2019—the largest post-pandemic increase we’ve seen. These gains highlight transit’s role not just in getting people to work, but in supporting local businesses and contributing to the region’s broader economic recovery.
As demand grows, continued investment in transit will be key to sustaining this momentum and better serving the communities that rely on us every day. And as the cost of living—and especially gas prices—continues to fluctuate, County Connection remains a steady and reliable option, offering affordable, accessible transit since 1980. Whether you’re making the switch for the first time or returning to the bus, we’re here to help you get around central Contra Costa and perhaps give your wallet a well-deserved break.
Questions or feedback? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Reach out to our Marketing Department at marketing@cccta.org!