News – County Connection

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County Connection Secures $15.9 Million Grant for Solar and Service Modernization Project 

Concord, CA – County Connection has been awarded $15.9 million from the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) to fund the innovative Solar Supported Zero Emission Vehicle Fleet and Service Modernization Project. This transformative project aims to enhance public transit services while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions, particularly benefiting disadvantaged and low-income communities within the County Connection service area. 

The project proposes the installation of 90,000 square feet of solar panels and a microgrid battery storage facility to support the acquisition of future zero-emission buses (ZEBs) that will replace outdated diesel-powered buses. 

“This funding will strengthen the foundation of our zero emission programs and commitment to ensuring safe reliable and clean public transportation for our Contra Costa residents,” said Kevin Wilk, Walnut Creek City Councilmember and the Chairman of County Connection Board of Directors. 

The project is particularly important as it aligns with California’s strict air quality regulations. In 2023, County Connection’s Board of Directors adopted a plan to transition to a fully zero-emission bus fleet, in accordance with California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulations requiring all new buses purchased after January 1, 2029, to be zero-emission vehicles. The initial phase will focus on acquiring 27 additional ZEBs, set to replace diesel buses which will be at the end of their useful life. 

The TIRCP funding will not only support critical infrastructure upgrades at the main bus depot in Concord but will also enhance the facility’s resilience against future power grid disruptions. The on-site solar power generation and battery storage will significantly lower emissions, reinforcing County Connection’s commitment to a sustainable future. 

“We are always looking toward the future and for new ways to offer reliable public transit to the communities we serve,” said Bill Churchill, General Manager at County Connection. In total, the project is estimated to cost $48.9 million, with this grant award leveraging additional state and federal funds. 

The anticipated greenhouse gas emission reduction is substantial, with projections indicating a reduction of 40,372 metric tons of CO2 equivalent (MTCO2e), highlighting the project’s critical role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

Media inquires, please contact Ryan Jones, Manager of Marketing & Communications, County Connection at rjones@cccta.org or call 925-680-2037. 

Election 2024: Contra Costa polling place

Election Day is November 5 and as the date approaches, if you plan on voting in person, it’s important to know where to find your polling place. Knowing where to go will help you avoid confusion on the day itself. So, take a moment to find your polling place and get ready to make your vote count—your voice is important!

There are several Election Day voting places across Contra Costa as well as early polling places. If you’re voting in Central Contra Costa, many locations are accessible on County Connection (listed below).

Questions on voting? Please contact the Registrar of Voters at 925-335-7800 (TTY:Call 711).

Visit Contra Costa Vote
Contra Costa Polling Locations

CITYBUILDINGADDRESSCOUNTY CONECTION ROUTE(S)
ClaytonClayton Endeavor Hall6008 Center Street10
ConcordAlberta Way Chapel – LDS1360 Alberta Way10
ConcordBethel Baptist Church3578 Clayton Rd10
ConcordContra Costa Farm Bureau Building5554 Clayton Rd10
ConcordHoly Cross Lutheran Church1092 Alberta Way10
ConcordFair Oaks Church1925 Risdon Rd11*
ConcordRefuge Church1187 Meadow Ln11*
ConcordWillow Creek Center1026 Mohr Ln14*
ConcordConcord High School4200 Concord Blvd15
ConcordFirst Christian Church3039 Willow Pass Rd15
ConcordFirst Lutheran Church4000 Concord Blvd15
ConcordWoodside Elementary761 San Simeon Dr15
ConcordNew Hope Church2120 Olivera Ct17
ConcordConcord Historical Society1928 Clayton Rd20
ConcordConcord Blvd Chapel – LDS3700 Concord Blvd10, 15
ConcordDenkinger Road Chapel – LDS1590 Denkinger Rd10, 15
DanvilleDanville Town Offices500 La Gonda Way21
DanvilleGreenbrook Elementary1475 Harlan Dr21
MartinezMartinez United Methodist Church100 Church St16*
MartinezPlumbers Assembly Hall1308 Roman Way28
MartinezMartinez City Hall525 Henrietta St16*, 28, 98X**, 316*
MartinezMartinez Adult Education600 F St16*, 98X**, 316*
MartinezLocal 302 IBEW1875 Arnold Dr18, 316*
MartinezPublic Works Building255 Glacier Dr18, 316*
MartinezBill’s Ace Truckbox3550 Pacheco Blvd18, 99X***, 316*
MoragaMoraga Valley Presbyterian Church10 Moraga Valley Ln6
OrindaHoly Shepherd Lutheran Church433 Moraga Way6
OrindaOrinda City Hall22 Orinda Way6
Pleasant HillBoyd Road Chapel – LDS555 Boyd Rd18
Pleasant HillHope Center2275 Morello Ave18
Pleasant HillHillcrest Congregational Church404 Gregory Ln16*, 18
San RamonAmador Rancho Community Center 1998 Rancho Park Loop35
San RamonDougherty Valley Performing Arts Center10550 – Albion Rd35
San RamonSan Ramon Community Center12501 Alcosta Blvd35
San RamonSan Ramon City Hall7000 Bollinger Canyon Rd35, 335
Walnut CreekFaith Christian Fellowship860 Bancroft Rd14*
Walnut CreekLas Lomas High School1460 S Main St5, 21
* Free route, **Express route, ***Free express route

Transit Operator Appreciation Day, Fare-Free March 18

Concord, CA – Transit Operator Appreciation Day is Saturday, March 18, 2023, and County Connection, Tri Delta Transit, and WestCAT are offering a day of fare-free rides. No payment will be required on all three agencies’ buses for fixed routes and paratransit. Additionally, Tri Delta Transit’s ride-hailing service, Tri MyRide, will not require any payment for the day either.  

Transit Operator Appreciation Day, sometimes called Transit Driver Appreciation Day, started in 2009 in Seattle as a blog about appreciating bus drivers. By 2014, the name was changed to cover the diverse public transportation available throughout the United States. The day is set aside to thank and appreciate transit drivers for their service for the community.  

Image of bus operator with text 'Transit Operator Appreciation Day'

“The contribution drivers make has never been realized more than over the past three years of the pandemic. Transit operators performed a critical and essential service during this time by continuing to provide public transportation,” said Tri Delta Transit CEO, Rashidi Barnes.  

Transit Operator Appreciation Day continues to be a notable day for those who value public transportation and want to acknowledge those on the front lines operating transit vehicles. In addition to risking possible exposure to COVID-19, transit operators have been asked to adapt to ever-changing regulations and dramatic fluctuations in ridership demand, adapt to new schedules, as well as work to fill open shifts due to national driver shortages.  

“There’ve been a lot of unknowns in the past few years in public transit operations,” acknowledged Bill Churchill, General Manager of County Connection. “We’re so proud that, despite any setbacks, we’ve maintained a high on-time performance rate—a testament to the dedication of our bus operators.”  

Rob Thompson, General Manager of WestCAT, shared a similar sentiment of transit drivers, stating, “Our drivers truly are the front line for our agencies. Their commitment and hard work are invaluable in providing public transit to our communities.”  

The three partnering transit agencies are glad to offer a day of fare-free riding for passengers, hoping to bring attention to this annual day of recognition. “We hope by going fare free, riders can focus on the driver and their rider experience, and vice-versa, instead of focusing on fares,” says Tri Delta Transit Board Chair Anissa Williams. “For Transit [Operator] Driver Appreciation Day, agencies hope everyone takes a moment to thank their transit driver when riding the bus and post positive messages on the social media pages of the system you ride so that the drivers can see them.”  

To learn more about these transit agencies, visit TriDeltaTransit.com, CountyConnection.com and WestCATorg.  

County Connection Sees Increase in Ridership

Agency’s service and route changes realize results.

CONCORD, CA – County Connection is showing an increase in ridership in year-over-year comparisons, especially on routes where bus frequency has increased. Last spring the agency announced significant service and route changes that included increasing peak service frequency, discontinuing routes, adding extensions, and making minor adjustments. Since the changes in March 2019, although revenue hours have not increased, ridership is growing and was nearly 11% higher in November 2019, when compared to the same month last year.

“Any significant change in service will generally take a year or two for people to utilize it to its potential,” said Rick Ramacier, County Connection General Manager. “However, based on what we know about the response to the service changes so far, we are pleased.”

County Connection is showing signs of being ahead of the national curve on transit ridership increases. Nationally transit ridership reports did show declines through 2018, but of late numbers have stabilized and are on an upswing. According to the quarterly “Transit Ridership Report” released by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), nationally ridership increased in 2019 by 2.20% when compared to the third quarter of 2018.

Primary contributors to County Connection’s ridership increase includes:

  • Comprehensive Operational Analysis of all County Connection services, which incorporated community needs outreach, rider input, and anticipated future public transit demands.
  • Major service changes implemented in March 2019 that included cuts, adjustments, and enhancements throughout the service area.
  • New weekend route 335 launched to serve the San Ramon Transit Center, Bollinger Canyon Rd, Dougherty Rd, and Dublin/Pleasanton BART on Saturdays and Sundays
  • Major schedule and routing changes to routes serving Bishop Ranch (Routes 92X, 95X, 96X, and 97X) featuring 10 min peak frequency from Walnut Creek to Bishop Ranch.
  • Free rides on three weekday bus routes – Routes 11, 14, and 16 – as part of a one-year pilot program that began on July 1, 2019.
  • Rider amenities like free Wi-Fi aboard County Connection buses.

“County Connection is more customer-focused to meet the needs of today’s riders and the significant improvements to our services means reduced roadway congestion from individual cars and more mobility options for those that need it,” said Candace Andersen, County Connection Board Chair. “We are encouraged by the direction our ridership numbers are going, knowing that we can connect more of the region’s residents to work, education, medical appointments, and other destinations that help people go about their daily lives. These early results prove riders are discovering how convenient riding public transit can be.”

System wide County Connection provides more than 12,000 daily rides throughout its service network. All County Connection riders can get real-time arrival information and track bus locations by downloading the Transit app, available for iPhone and Android phones, or by visiting countyconnection.com.

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. For assistance or for more information on bus routes, please visit countyconnection.com or call Customer Service at (925) 676-7500.