Have you ever wondered what actually powers a County Connection bus? Our fleet includes 125 buses: Eight of them are fully electric, while the remaining 117 run on diesel fuel—specifically, renewable diesel. If you’ve never heard of renewable diesel, don’t worry, we’ll break it down for you (and explain why renewable diesel is a big step towards a zero-emission fleet).
Unlike traditional diesel, which is made from petroleum, renewable diesel is made from natural, renewable sources like oils and fats from plants and animals. In the fuel industry, these materials are sometimes called feedstocks.The important thing to know is this: renewable diesel can replace regular diesel one-for-one, with no engine modifications required. That’s a big advantage. Other alternatives, like biodiesel, are typically sold as a 20% blend with regular diesel – any more than that requires significant and often pricy engine modifications due to corrosion.
Beyond where it comes from, renewable diesel has another major benefit—it burns much cleanerand has a far smaller ecological footprint! When taking into account the total lifecycle emissions resulting from the manufacture, transportation, and use of each fuel, renewable diesel generates about 65% fewer greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than regular diesel. That’s a significant reduction in climate-impacting pollution.
And greenhouse gases aren’t the only concern. Bus exhaust also contains tiny particles, called particulate matter, which can affect air quality and human health. Renewable diesel helps here, too, producing 35–40% fewer particulate emissions than traditional diesel. As a bonus, its clean-burning nature is why you’ll barely notice any exhaust smell—and why County Connection buses’ tailpipes are so clean, even after years of use.
We believe the future of transportation is electric, however, unlike personal vehicles such as bicycles, automobiles, and pickup trucks, the technology is still evolving for large commercial vehicles like transit buses (perhaps a topic for a future Ask Andy?). County Connection’s use of renewable diesel represents a positive interim step while we move towards an electrified future. Until that day comes, renewable diesel is helping us drive cleaner, right now. And remember, any time you take the bus instead of a car, you’re helping the environment no matter what fuel is being used.
Andrew Smith is the Director of Planning & Marketing. Do you have question about County Connection? About our buses? About our routes and service? Email asmith@cccta.org and your question might be included in a future issue of our monthly newsletter, Headways.
We are often asked why we don’t use our shorter buses systemwide during the quieter periods of the day, or on routes with lower ridership, to save money or fuel. The answer is more complex than it might seem!
With very few exceptions, every route has at least one or two times a day when the bus is full, leaving room only for people to stand. On some routes this may be during the traditional morning or evening commute period, while on other routes it may be when a nearby school starts or ends its day. As much as possible, we use buses large enough to provide a seat for every passenger during these busy periods.
For us to swap out one sized bus for another, we would need to take the first bus and its operator out of service to drive back to our facility in North Concord, check out a new bus, and drive that one back to its route. This can be very time-consuming. In addition to the extra time and mileage for the coach exchange, we would need to send out another bus and driver to cover the route during the switch. And remember that this would need to be done multiple times each day for most routes, and we would need to buy a lot more buses!
The good news is that it costs us almost the same to operate a bus regardless of its length. Transit buses are generally available in four different lengths: 30, 35, and 40-foot standard buses, and 60-foot articulated buses (the ones that bend in the middle like an accordion). Two-thirds of County Connection’s fleet of 125 buses are 40-footers, with the rest being 30 or 35 feet long and used on routes with narrow streets and sharp curves.
Every bus needs a driver, and every bus has the same engine, two doors, and six wheels. The purchase price is also very similar, with a 40-foot bus costing only 6% more than a 30-foot bus, and fuel mileage is almost identical regardless of the length of bus. Don’t forget too that the more people who ride the bus, the fewer cars on the road and less fuel used. In short, keeping standard-sized buses on the road ensures consistent service and efficiency throughout the day. So next time, take the bus!
Andrew Smith is the Director of Planning & Marketing. Do you have question about County Connection? About our buses? About our routes and service? Email asmith@cccta.org and your question might be included in a future issue of our monthly newsletter, Headways.
County Connection joins the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), BART, and transit partners across the Bay Area in preparing for the launch of Next Generation Clipper (Clipper 2.0) — a major upgrade to the region’s contactless fare payment system. The new system officially goes live on December 10, 2025, beginning an 8–12-week transition period that will bring faster, more flexible, and more connected fare payment options to riders.
Clipper, managed by MTC and accepted by 24 Bay Area transit agencies, has been a cornerstone of regional travel for decades. County Connection was one of the earliest adopters, partnering with BART on a pilot in 1993 that used paper mag-stripe tickets. Today, 81% of County Connection fares are paid using Clipper—one of the highest adoption rates in the region, behind only BART and Golden Gate Ferry.
What’s New with Clipper 2.0
The upcoming Clipper 2.0 system represents a complete modernization of the region’s fare network, including new hardware, software, and customer tools. Among its many improvements:
Cloud-Based System & Instant Value: Stored value and passes will now be kept in the cloud rather than on the card itself. Riders will be able to use added funds instantly, eliminating current delays of up to five days when reloading online.
Tap and Ride Convenience: Riders will be able to pay adult fares directly using contactless credit or debit cards or mobile payment methods such as Apple Pay or Google Pay—no Clipper card required. County Connection riders can tap their phone, watch, or card to board, joining BART as part of the Bay Area’s growing Tap and Ride network.
Seamless Interagency Transfers: For the first time, passengers transferring between any Bay Area transit agencies will receive a transfer discount of up to $2.85 within a two-hour window. For example, a rider traveling from San Francisco State University to Diablo Valley College via Muni, BART, and County Connection will now receive transfer discounts across each leg of the trip—potentially riding County Connection for free.
Family Management: Clipper’s new app will allow families to manage multiple Clipper cards from a single device.
Online Youth and Senior Cards: Riders will soon be able to apply for youth and senior Clipper cards online, streamlining access to regional discounted fares.
Institutional and Promotional Passes: County Connection will gain flexibility to administer multiple institutional pass programs through Clipper, such as the Bishop Ranch ECO Pass currently used by Bishop Ranch employees.
County Connection’s Preparation Efforts
County Connection has spent the past two years preparing for the transition:
All buses are now equipped with Clipper 2.0-ready card readers, and staff training on the new Customer Service Terminal is underway.
County Connection has worked with MTC on an interagency transfer pilot, ensuring riders will receive discounts across agencies beginning in December.
County Connection staff and MTC are collaborating with Sunset Development (owner of Bishop Ranch) to migrate the ECO Pass program into the new system.
What Riders Need to Know
Card Upgrade Timeline: Beginning December 10, existing Clipper cards will be upgraded to the new system over 8–12 weeks. Riders can speed up the process by logging into clippercard.com, using the Clipper app, or calling Clipper Customer Service (877.878.8883) to initiate the upgrade manually.
Avoiding “Card Clash”: With multiple contactless payment options, riders should remove their Clipper or bank card from their wallet or purse when tapping to ensure the correct card is charged.
County Connection’s Marketing team will work closely with MTC on an outreach campaign to educate riders about these changes through social media, onboard signage, newsletters, and digital screens.
Looking Ahead
“The Clipper system connects all the public transit systems in the Bay Area together using one fare card to go anywhere,” said Bill Churchill, County Connection’s General Manager. “Clipper 2.0 will make riding transit convenient, simple, and more connected than ever before.”
Did you know September is Transit Month in the Bay Area?
It’s the perfect time to leave the car behind and explore the many events happening across central Contra Costa—all easily reached with County Connection! Catch Off the Grid food truck nights in Pleasant Hill, enjoy live music at Concord’s Music & Market Concert Series, celebrate at Walnut Creek’s 25th Annual Joybound Pet Festival, or raise a stein at Side Gate Brewery’s Oktoberfest in Concord.
From food and wine festivals to free concerts in the park, County Connection gets you there while supporting sustainable travel. Join us in celebrating transit and all the things that make our region special! See below for a list of events happening around you this month.
Or, if you’d like to expand your horizons and connect to the broader Bay Area, see all the things happening this month in celebration of public transit! > More
Contra Costa Events Happening in September
September 4 | 5-9pm 🍔Off The Grid, City Hall Park, 138 Trelany Road, Pleasant Hill 🚍Bus Service: County Connection Routes 9, 16, 18 Treat yourself to Off the Grid Food Truck Nights in Pleasant Hill! Enjoy live music, games, lawn activities, great food and drinks, and partnerships with local organizations to support community causes—so grab your friends and family for a fun, laid-back evening! > More
September 4 | 6:30-8pm 🎵Concord Music & Market Concert Series, Todos Santos Plaza, 2175 Willow Pass Rd, Concord 🚍Bus Service: County Connection Route 11(Look for County Connection staff for giveaways at the Concord Preparedness Fair!) On Thursday nights at Todos Santos Plaza, enjoy the Farmers’ Market (4pm) followed by free concerts, featuring a great lineup of Bay Area musicians playing salsa, jazz, zydeco, blues, rock, Motown, pop, and more. Musical guests include Native Elements. > More
September 5 | 5-9pm 🍔Night Market, Chilpancingo Park, 200 Golf Club Rd, Pleasant Hill 🚍Bus Service: County Connection Routes 9, 20 Join us for Night Market, every 1st & 3rd Friday (through Nov 7th) in Pleasant Hill. Featuring 50+vendors, food, beverage and live Asia, Hawaiian and Pacific Islander cultural performances. Free event and parking. > More
September 6 | 1:30-6pm 🌴Bunco Luau, 1875 Arnold Drive, Martinez 🚍Bus Service: County Connection Route 316 Get ready to be part of something extraordinary at Soroptimist International of Martinez’s fundraising event. Proceeds from ticket sales go to providing women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment.> More
September 6 | 4-6pm 🎵Danville Summer Music, Prospect Park Plaza, 396 Hartz Ave, Danville 🚍Bus Service: County Connection Route 321 Bring a blanket, a picnic, and the whole family down to Oak Hill Park for an evening of music, dancing and socializing. This evening features musical guest, James Patrick Regan. > More
September 11 | 5-8pm 🍔Food Truck Night Thursday, Orinda Community Center, 28 Orinda Way, Orinda 🚍Bus Service: County Connection Route 6 (walk from Orinda BART) Take the night off from cooking and enjoy rotating food trucks, desserts, beer and wine, and free every-other-week concerts in Orinda’s family- and dog-friendly park, featuring favorites like Cousins Maine Lobster, Golden Gate Gyro, Rosie’s Mexican Food, More Life Ice Desserts, and the Guzzler bar on wheels. This evening features musical guest, Last Ones Picked. > More
September 11 | 5-9pm 🍔Off The Grid, City Hall Park, 138 Trelany Road, Pleasant Hill 🚍Bus Service: County Connection Route 9, 16, 18 Treat yourself to Off the Grid Food Truck Nights in Pleasant Hill! Enjoy live music, games, lawn activities, great food and drinks, and partnerships with local organizations to support community causes—so grab your friends and family for a fun, laid-back evening! > More
September 11 | 6:30-8pm 🎵Concord Music & Market Concert Series, Todos Santos Plaza, 2175 Willow Pass Rd, Concord 🚍Bus Service: County Connection Route 11 On Thursday nights at Todos Santos Plaza, enjoy the Farmers’ Market (4pm) followed by free concerts, featuring a great lineup of Bay Area musicians playing salsa, jazz, zydeco, blues, rock, Motown, pop, and more. Musical guests include Strange Days. > More
September 13 | 5:30-10pm 🍸Martini Shake Off, 525 Henrietta, Martinez 🚍Bus Service: County Connection Route 316(service till about 8pm) Don’t miss out on this Elegant sell out event and join us in celebrating Martinez as the birthplace of the Martini! > More
September 14 | 11am-4pm 🐶Joybound Around Town and Broadway, 1275 Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek 🚍Bus Service: County Connection Route 4, 321 Joybound’s 25th Annual Pet Festival brings together thousands of animal lovers for a fun-filled day of parades, contests, live music, and family activities—all while raising funds to support pet rescue, adoption, veterinary care, and service dog programs. > More
September 18 | 6:30-8pm 🎵Concord Music & Market Concert Series, Todos Santos Plaza, 2175 Willow Pass Rd, Concord 🚍Bus Service: County Connection Route 11 On Thursday nights at Todos Santos Plaza, enjoy the Farmers’ Market (4pm) followed by free concerts, featuring a great lineup of Bay Area musicians playing salsa, jazz, zydeco, blues, rock, Motown, pop, and more. Musical guests include Annie Sampson. > More
September 18 | 7-9pm 🎵Pleasant Hill Summer Concert Series, Downtown Plaza, 60 Crescent Dr, Pleasant Hill 🚍Bus Service: County Connection Route 9, 16, 18 Downtown Pleasant Hill offers great shopping and dining experience in an outdoor setting. Enjoy some great summer entertainment this summer, in downtown Pleasant Hill. Musical guests include Foreverland (Michael Jackson tribute band). > More
September 19 | 5-9pm 🍺Side Gate Brewery Oktoberfest, 1822 Grant Street, Concord 🚍Bus Service: County Connection Route 11 Celebrate Oktoberfest 2025 at Side Gate Brewery with exclusive German-style beers, delicious food, live music, a stein-holding contest, local craft vendors, and a $25 presale ticket that includes a stein, first pour, and a take-home can of Oktoberfence. > More
September 20 | 10am-7pm & September 21 | 10am-6pm 🍷Lafayette Art & Wine Festival, La Fiesta Square, Lafayette 🚍Bus Service: County Connection Route 6 Join us at the Lafayette Art & Wine Festival and stroll among the booths of art and handmade crafts, while enjoying foods from our local restaurants, as well as quality wines and microbrews. > More
September 25 | 5-9pm 🍔Off The Grid, City Hall Park, 138 Trelany Road, Pleasant Hill 🚍Bus Service: County Connection Route 9, 16, 18 Treat yourself to Off the Grid Food Truck Nights in Pleasant Hill! Enjoy live music, games, lawn activities, great food and drinks, and partnerships with local organizations to support community causes—so grab your friends and family for a fun, laid-back evening! > More
September 25 | 6:30-8pm 🎵Concord Music & Market Concert Series, Todos Santos Plaza, 2175 Willow Pass Rd, Concord 🚍Bus Service: County Connection Route 11 On Thursday nights at Todos Santos Plaza, enjoy the Farmers’ Market (4pm) followed by free concerts, featuring a great lineup of Bay Area musicians playing salsa, jazz, zydeco, blues, rock, Motown, pop, and more. Musical guests include The Purple Ones . > More
September 27 | 11am-3pm 🍷Pear and Wine Festival, Moraga Commons Park, Moraga 🚍Bus Service: County Connection Route 6 Enjoy an afternoon at Moraga Commons Park with family and friends, featuring pear pies, pear salad, specialty pear drinks, Lamorinda AVA wine, live music, community organizations, Moraga history, and local businesses. > More
Transit Month has a Rider Contest, which is a leaderboard for anyone looking to get more out of their transit experience. It’s easy. Sign up. Log any transit ride within the Bay Area…and win prizes! You may even win a County Connection beanie (as modeled by our stylish staff). It’s free to participate in the Rider Contest. > Check it out!
Update: The zoom sessions have concluded but we’ve linked the slides below. If you have specific questions about routes or Youth Clipper cards, please give our Customer Service a call at 925-676-7500 or email help@countyconnection.com.
PRESENTATION HIGHLIGHTS
600-series buses operate during school days only and are scheduled around bell times at select schools. These buses schedules as well as our fixed-routes (regular bus services) are linked below by school.
Youth Clipper is the best year-round transit pass option for students ages 6-18. This card requires an application, but once done, your youth will be able to get half the cost (50% discount) of an Adult Clipper card. To apply:
SUBMIT AN APPLICATION: Riders ages 6-18 can apply for a Youth Clipper card by mail, email or fax. By submitting an application, we are able to determine your eligibility.
APPLY IN PERSON: Youth riders can get a card in person at County Connection, 2477 Arnold Industrial Way in Concord, M-F, 8am-3pm.
Our staff offers a Mobile Lobby that pops up around Contra Costa County. All Mobile Lobbies have information on our services and programs, including applications for Youth Clipper. See the Mobile Lobby schedule for the month.
Note: Some presentation recordings are not available due to an issue with the file or the length (size) of the file. Please see the PDF of the presentations when recordings are not available.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
How can we contact you?
Come see us!: 2477 Arnold Industrial Way, Concord (Mon–Fri, 8:00 am–3:00 pm)
Is there enough room for all the students? Yes. Most 600-series routes use 40’ buses that hold about 70 passengers (seated + standing).
Do non-students ride the school buses? Yes. County Connection is public transit, so we cannot deny boarding to non-students if space allows. However, buses are usually filled with students on the 600-series buses, so non-student boardings rarely happen.
Are bikes allowed? Yes. All buses have front racks for two bikes. If the rack is full, drivers may allow bikes inside if space permits.
Do you provide morning service to schools? Not all 600-series routes run in the morning. The following routes are afternoon only: 613, 615, 619, 622, 623, 626, 635. For carpool options, visit 511contracosta.org.
Does the bus leave after 6th or 7th period? Buses are scheduled for 7th-period dismissal only.
How often do 600-series buses run in the afternoon? Each bus makes one trip at the posted time. There are no extra trips.
Will the driver wait for students? Yes. Drivers wait for students approaching the bus, generally up to three minutes.
Is there more than one bus per school? Some schools have multiple buses; most have only one.
What if my student misses the bus? Most 600-series buses make only one trip. If a fixed-route bus also serves the school, another option may be available.
Does the bus stop at every stop? Yes, if passengers are waiting or a rider requests a stop (pull the yellow cord).
Will students know where the stop is? Yes. Most stops are in front of the school. Look for the County Connection bus stop sign. (At WCI, some routes stop on Civic Dr. behind the school.) If you are not sure of the exact drop off or pick-up location is, please contact Customer Service (925-676-7500) to clarify.
How do I find the exact stop location? Search the address or intersection on Google Maps and look for the bus stop icon. If you are not sure of the exact location, please contact Customer Service (925-676-7500).
Can I track when my child gets on/off the bus? No. You can’t track individuals, but you can:
Track bus locations on countyconnection.com by selecting the route and viewing the live map.
What’s the difference between a Youth and Adult Clipper Card? They look the same, but youth cards are linked to birthdate and automatically apply a 50% discount until age 19. Adult Clipper Cards have the same function except the discount is not applied.
Does Pass2Class include a Clipper Card? No. They are separate programs with separate applications.
Can a Youth Clipper Card be added to the app/wallet? Yes. You need the physical card first to load it into your phone wallet and receive the discount.
How long does it take to get a Youth Clipper Card?
In-person at Concord office (M–F, 8:00a–3:00p): Same day (with required documents).
Online: A few weeks. Card is mailed after verification.
Does my child need to be present to apply? No. Bring their ID, birth certificate, or passport for verification.
Can students pay cash without a Clipper Card? Yes, but cash fare is $2.50 (exact change only). With a Youth Clipper Card, the fare is $1.00.
What time does the bus come on minimum days? Buses adjust to the bell schedule. Example: On Monte Vista High minimum days (1:00 pm dismissal), the Route 623 bus arrives around 1:00 pm. For specific minimum-day times, check the route schedule or call customer service.
What if the bus is full? If a bus reaches capacity, no additional students can board. Most school routes only have one bus. If overcrowding is consistent, our planning team reviews data to consider adding service, but it’s not guaranteed.
What about students in the Livorna Park/Rudgear area (Monte Vista High)? There’s no direct bus. Students can take Route 623 to San Ramon Valley Blvd and transfer to Route 21.
Will the presentation be shared? Yes, presentations are posted on our website in PDF format (except large video files).
How reliable is the 600-series service? Very reliable. School routes are a top priority. If a bus is delayed, our transportation department notifies schools directly.
In April 2025, the Youth Ride Free (YRF) summer pilot program was just a glint in eye of County Connection–and we were hoping to launch something that would get area youth (18 and under) to ride transit during the summer months, when transit numbers typically drop amongst younger passengers. Now, with the program at its halfway point, early data is showing that this simple, barrier-free approach is already delivering promising results.
Launched June 1, 2025, and going on through the end of July, YRF allows passengers ages 18 and under to ride any County Connection bus for free, with no application, ID, or special pass required. This approach removes obstacles that have traditionally discouraged young riders from using transit, helping to stimulate spontaneous, independent travel. As well, there’s some secondary “transit literacy” our riders are getting, like learning how to plan trips, read a timetables, or check out bus times on Transit–all helpful skills in building a lifelong relationship with public transit.
“In addition to providing free rides to our younger riders, we’re learning how to better serve youth by paying attention to their behavior and feedback,” said Andrew Smith, Director of Marketing & Communications at County Connection. “That’s data we can use to improve future programs, whether or not we’re able to offer free transit long-term.”
The campaign kicked off its outreach in late April with a three-pronged strategy: paid advertising, messaging via community partners, and word-of-mouth from riders and supporters. Engagement has been strong across the board surpassing 1 million views of online ads in English and Spanish. Notably, TikTok ads have led the way, generating more than double the impressions of other platforms.
Meanwhile offline and prior to summer break, County Connection staff visited 27 middle and high schools to distribute flyers and stickers, and partnered with local movie theaters to run YRF pre-preview ads across 34 movie screens. Additionally, over 160 media packets were sent to libraries, small businesses, and community partners to help spread the word.
But the real test of success?Ridership!
Just four weeks into the program, youth boardings has already surpassed all of June and July 2024’s total Summer Youth Pass (now discontinued) usage, reaching 714% of last summer’s two-month total. With one month still to go, staff now expect a 50-60% increase in all youth ridership (Summer Youth Pass + Clipper Youth) by the end of July. Our ridership data reveals significant youth activity at locations including Hurricane Harbor Waterpark, schools offering summer programs, and popular hubs like Sunvalley Mall, City Center, and BART stations. Most popular routes include the 6, 10, 15, 20 and 35 on weekdays and the 310, 320, 321 and 335 on weekends.
Our very serious staff showing off our limited-edition County Connection trucker cap, available to winners on the Youth Ride Free Leaderboard. If you’re 13-18, register on the leaderboard to win weekly prizes (just for riding). youthridefree.com
To measure impact and gather insights, County Connection is tracking results through:
Passenger boardings (logged by our bus drivers)
YRF leaderboard, where riders ages 13-18 can log trips, earn digital badges, and win prizes like movie tickets, gift cards, and limited-edition County Connection merch (see image above). Note: While primarily an engagement tool, the leaderboard is also providing valuable insights into ridership trends by route and day of week. Join the leaderboard at youthridefree.com
(Coming soon) An opt-in survey (open to youth and parents through August)
Also exciting is that our neighboring agencies have joined in! Tri Delta Transit and WestCAT launched their own Youth Ride Free programs, sharing messaging to ensure a consistent experience for riders throughout the region. While WestCAT’s version requires an ID, the programs are otherwise aligned, giving youth a seamless travel experience across east, central, and western Contra Costa.
The YRF program is scheduled to end on July 31, at which point County Connection will share all data and lessons learned with partnering agencies. County Connection is currently exploring opportunities to sustain or build on the program after the pilot wraps up, and we will share more information just as soon as it’s available.
Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22, and since its inception in 1970, public transit has been tied to it. Why? Public transit services not only reduce carbon emissions but also alleviate traffic congestion and are more energy-efficient per passenger-mile than private vehicles. The benefits are clear and in step with Earth Day’s push for environmental protection and sustainability. But the challenge lies in encouraging real change. For County Connection, we want to get you on one of our buses, if even for one day! Contact Marketing at marketing@cccta.org to request a free pass.
Other way to Go Green: Free, Save, Make Green
Free Green Did you know County Connection offers 10 free routes?Hop on. Hop off. No need to pay! These routes are made possible by public state and city funds, as incentives to encourage usage in select areas around central Contra Costa County.
Make Green We’re hiring! We’re looking for motivated people who share our values. County Connection has 200+ employees offering careers in Administration, Maintenance, and Transportation. Full-time positions are available, with benefits including medical, vacation, paid training, retirement/CalPERS, and more.
Looking for places to celebrate Earth Day? There’s lots going on and showing up for an event is a great way to see your community turn out!
Concord April 19, 2025 – Family Food Sort 2025 with Food Bank of Solano & Contra Costa Please join the Food Bank for our Earth Day Family Food Sort. Families with children as young as five years old are invited to learn about our green initiatives and “Volunteer to Improve the Environment” by bagging fresh produce at our warehouse for our food distribution programs. Concord Warehouse, 4010 Nelson Ave, Concord, 925-676-7543
Clayton April 19, 2025, 9am-noon – Clayton Cleans Up (Clayton Business and Community Association). Celebrate Earth Day by Cleaning Up Clayton! The Clayton Business & Community Association (CBCA) invites volunteers to celebrate Earth Day by helping clean up local parks, streets, and creeks. After a rewarding morning of cleanup, volunteers will be treated to a free barbecue as a thank-you for their efforts. The first 200 volunteers will receive a free T-shirt featuring this year’s logo —so be sure to arrive early! Clayton City Hall, 6000 Heritage Trail, Clayton
Lafayette April 27, 2025, 11am-2pm – Earth Day Festival 2025 The City of Lafayette invites residents to enjoy the outdoors and learn about how to protect the Earth, fight climate change, and create a more sustainable Lafayette. Lafayette Plaza, 3530 Plaza Way, Lafayette
Martinez April 26, 2025, 10am-4pm – 2025 John Muir’s Birthday/Earth Day Celebration Join us for a special event celebrating the life and legacy of John Muir. This family-friendly day of activities, exhibits, and performances highlights Muir’s contributions to conservation and encourages environmental awareness. John Muir National Historic Site, 4202 Alhambra Ave, Martinez
Walnut Creek April 19, 2025, 11am-2pm – Celebration Day at Civic Park Join us for Walnut Creek’s biggest Earth Day celebration! Civic Park will come alive with a dynamic, family-friendly festival celebrating the intersection of sustainability and movement. Whether you’re passionate about sustainability or just looking for a fun day out, this is an event you won’t want to miss! Civic Park, 1375 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek
Meet Alex Harmon, a lifelong East Bay resident who is well-versed in the ways of Bay Area public transit. Working in radio, Alex manages the behind the scenes promotions for four local radio stations, calling on him to cover a lot of territory in his day. And though he does have a car to cover that territory, Alex opts for public transit, giving him more freedom and opportunity to appreciate the different landscapes of the Bay Area.
Alex’s journey with public transit began during his childhood when he rode BART with his father. Their trips to Oakland for appointments and Raiders games introduced him to the public transit system long before smartphones made navigation simple. “In the late 1990s, I’d find myself enjoying the sights of the system by looking out windows or at maps,” he recalls. As he gained some teenage independence, Alex started to ride BART and AC Transit on his own, later expanding his travels to MUNI, Wheels, and County Connection.
One of his earliest memories of County Connection was taking the bus in San Ramon to attend an eye appointment during his high school years. “Being a Hayward kid, it was interesting to see another part of the East Bay on a nice brown bus,” he shares. Later he became a resident of Dublin and his connection with County Connection further solidified as he frequently rode the routes to central Contra Costa County.
Alex takes pride in his choice to rely on public transit. “I’ve always been fortunate to reside near a bus line and within walking distance from BART,” he explains. His affinity for biking also complements his public transit journeys. “Taking public transit allows you to see and embrace the Bay Area in a different way than you would in the driver’s seat,” he adds.
For Alex, riding transit is not just about getting from point A to point B; it’s about adventure. He often documents his journeys through photography, sharing them on social media and connecting with a community of fellow transit enthusiasts. As a regular user of BART, AC Transit, County Connection, Tri Valley Wheels, and Muni, Alex’s daily travels vary. “I work in Daly City, so I get a SamTrans fix plus VTA when I’m down in the South Bay,” he mentions. Some of his go-to County Connection routes include the 1, 4, 21/321, 35/335, and 93X.
Over the years, Alex has witnessed notable changes in the public transit landscape. He appreciates the integration of the Clipper card system, which has streamlined travel across the Bay Area. However, he’s also seen public transit adapt to societal shifts, from economic recessions to the recent pandemic, which altered ridership patterns.
One challenge he recognizes is the perception that public transit is only for commuting. “I’d like to see more people understand that anyone can ride public transit for more than just their work commute,” Alex insists. He advocates that individuals can incorporate transit into weekend activities, exercise routines, and more, ultimately reducing car dependency.
For Alex, the benefits of public transit also extend to his lifestyle. “My step count is great!” he laughs, emphasizing that the freedom from car dependency allows him to catch up on life during his commutes—whether answering messages, reading the news, or simply enjoying the view outside his window.
Looking ahead, Alex is eager to explore other transit systems. His experiences in New York City’s subway left him wanting more, and he has a keen interest in riding the WMATA Metro in Washington D.C., which shares similarities with BART. For Alex, public transit is more than a practical way to navigate a city; it’s an adventure that offers authentic experiences and personal souvenirs in the form of transit passes and stories.
In a world increasingly influenced by cars, Alex Harmon’s experience serves as a reminder of the joys and benefits of public transportation. Embracing the diverse transit options of the Bay Area not only enriches his daily routine but also opens the door to new connections.
Are you a transit enthusiast? We’d love to share your perspective on how public transit shapes your day. Reach out to our Marketing Department at marketing@cccta.org and let us know about your story!
