Promotions – County Connection

Tag: Promotions

Transit Month: Contra Costa Events

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 

Other places to go (accessible on transit)

PLACEADDRESSROUTE(S)
📖 Clayton Library 6125 Clayton Rd, ClaytonWeekday Route: 10 
Weekend Route: 310 
📖 Concord Library 2900 Salvio St, ConcordWeekday Route: 15 
Weekend Route: 315 
📖 Danville Library 400 Front St, DanvilleWeekday Route: 21
Weekend Route: 321
📖 Lafayette Library 3491 Mount Diablo Blvd, LafayetteRoute: 6 (daily) 
📖 Martinez Library 740 Court St, MartinezWeekday Routes: 18, 19, 99X
Weekend Route: 316 (free)
📖 Moraga Library 1500 St Mary’s Rd, MoragaRoute: 6 (daily) 
📖 Orinda Library 26 Orinda Way, OrindaRoute: 6 (weekday only with limited service to Orinda Way Loop or walk from Orinda BART) 
📖 Pleasant Hill Library 2 Monticello Ave, Pleasant HillWeekday Route: 18 
📖 San Ramon Library 100 Montgomery St, San RamonWeekday Route: 35 
Weekend Route: 335 
📖 Walnut Creek Library 1644 N. Broadway, Walnut CreekRoute: 4 (daily and free) 
🍿Contra Costa Stadium Cinema 555 Center Ave, MartinezWeekday Route: 28 
Weekend Route: 316 (free)
🍿Veranda LUXE Cinema & IMAX2035 Diamond Blvd, ConcordWeekday Routes: 19, 91X (limited service) 
Weekend Route: 320 
🍿Brenden Theaters1985 Willow Pass Rd Ste E, ConcordWeekday Route: 11 (free) 
Weekend Route: 311 (free)
🍿Cinemark Century Downtown Pleasant Hill 16 and XD 125 Crescent Dr, Pleasant HillWeekday Routes: 9, 16 (free), 18 
Weekend Routes: 314 (free), 316 (free) 
🍿Cinemark Century Walnut Creek 14 and XD 121 Locust St, Walnut CreekWeekday Routes: 5 (free), 21 
Weekend Route: 321 
🍿Rheem Theatre350 Park St, MoragaRoute: 6 (daily) 
County Connection staff wearing beanies

Gamify Transit Month

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!

Questions? Contact us at marketing@cccta.org or call 925-676-7500.

Youth Ride Free: Halfway Highlights 

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. 

Youth Ride Free This Summer on Four East Bay Transit Agencies   

CONCORD, CA – Four East Bay transit agencies—County Connection, Tri Delta Transit, WestCAT, and Wheels—are working to bring more young riders to public transit with their free youth promotions going on throughout the summer. From June 1 through July 31, youth aged 18 and under can ride for free on County Connection, Tri Delta Transit, and WestCAT, while Wheels offers its Summer Youth Ride Free for a second year with the promotion through August 31.

This collaborative initiative aims to increase transit use by making public transportation more accessible, especially for youth navigating summer social and work options. 

“For Tri Delta Transit, this pilot lowers barriers and connects youth to summer jobs and programs—on our system and beyond,” said Rashidi Barnes, CEO of Tri Delta Transit. “There’s a whole world in California accessible by transit.”

In addition to increasing mobility, the pilot gives agencies a chance to better understand youth travel behavior. Ridership data is collected as youth board, and some agencies may have opt-in surveys, helping to provide a picture of the youth demographic and their travel habits, informing future planning and service decisions.

“It’s essential to build a new generation of riders,” said Rob Thompson, General Manager of WestCAT. “Youth can explore local systems and connect to others—like AC Transit, BART, and even ride our Lynx express to San Francisco, for free.”

“Wheels’ Summer Youth Ride Free program was a hit last year,” added Christy Wegener, Executive Director of LAVTA. “Now, with our neighboring agencies on board, we’re expanding that reach—helping youth connect in person and travel to jobs, getting them off their screens and out into their communities.”

This unified effort comes at a critical time—following a reallocation of funding and the recent discontinuation of the Summer Youth Pass. In its absence, these fare-free programs fill an essential gap, supporting not only youth mobility but also helping families who rely on public transportation during the summer months when school is out.

“The Youth Ride Free initiative helps us rethink how to serve young riders,” said County Connection General Manager Bill Churchill. “We’re excited about the data we collect–and even our new Youth Ride Free leaderboard–will inform future youth-focused programs.”

At the end of summer, Contra Costa and Tri-Valley youth can continue their transit journeys by utilizing a Youth Clipper pass which offers discounted fares across all Bay Area transit.

For more information about each agency’s free youth ride programs:

County Connection Launches Youth Ride Free Pilot Program   

Youth Ride Free gif

Regional summer travel just got a whole lot better for area youth! County Connection is thrilled to announce the launch of the Youth Ride Free pilot program, which will offer fare-free rides on all County Connection bus routes for youth up to 18 years of age, starting June 1 through July 31. Young riders can simply board without the need for an application or special pass, making access to public transit easier than ever. 

The Youth Ride Free program is designed to familiarize young riders with public transit and promote regular bus use, while also allowing County Connection to learn more about where its youth riders want to go. By eliminating fares and an application process, County Connection is removing obstacles that have historically prevented youth from fully utilizing public transportation.  

“Our goal is to create life-long transit users, either on our system or elsewhere,” says Kevin Wilk, Board Chair of County Connection. “Encouraging and understanding youth travel behavior are key to this pilot. While previous efforts to lower youth fares have shown some positive results, we need to gain a clearer picture of travel habits–especially among those who may hesitate to fill out an application, by reducing barriers to youths riding public transit.” 

Neighboring transit agencies implementing similar programs experienced substantial increases in youth ridership (ranging from 15% to 154%) during the summer of 2024.Transitioning to a fare-free system not only encourages more trips from low-income riders but also enhances bus service efficiency and reduces costs associated with fare collection.  

During the summer months, this free transit initiative is also expected to greatly enhance mobility for young people, allowing them to access vital resources such as libraries, parks, shopping centers, and summer job opportunities. Additionally, the program aims to reduce social isolation, foster greater transit literacy, and promote increased physical activity among youth.  

Previous programs like the Summer Youth Pass (which has been discontinued) and Pass2Class have facilitated youth access to public transit; however, ridership trends have not shown significant growth in the years since COVID. The Youth Ride Free program aims to change that dynamic.  

“With this pilot, we recognize the need to adapt to the changing demands of our young riders,” Bill Churchill, General Manager of County Connection. “This initiative encourages us to think creatively about how we can meet their travel habits by incentivizing changes in travel behavior. Regardless of the pilot’s outcome, the data we’re able to collect will help inform future programs.”  

In addition to tracking youth ridership, County Connection plans to collect passenger feedback through opt-in surveys, providing young riders with a platform to share their experience. However, providing free transit does come with financial implications. For County Connection, funding this pilot as a research initiative will inform future planning efforts and help determine the feasibility of sustaining a youth transit program in the long term. 

At the conclusion of the Youth Ride Free pilot in July, area youth will have the opportunity to register for Pass2Class, a program offered by 511 Contra Costa that requires an application and offers two months of free transit on County Connection buses. Following the pilot, County Connection staff will share data and insights with partnering agencies to ensure alignment and collaboration in future initiatives aimed at engaging our youth riders.  
 
For more information on the Youth Ride Free program, visit countyconnection.com/yrf/ 

Pass2Class – Free Bus Passes for Students

Pass2Class for 2023/24 school year now available! Pass2Class offers free bus passes to Contra Costa students at the beginning of the school year to encourage the use of bus transportation to and from school. The 2023 program offers free County Connection, Tri Delta Transit, WestCAT, or AC Transit bus passes for up to two (2) students per household for up to two months.

APPLY TODAY!
¡APLICA HOY!

Image of Pass2Class advertisement

Pass2Class Eligibility Requirements

  • The application must be completed by a parent / guardian.
  • The parent/guardian must agree to have their student take the bus for travel to and from school instead of being driven in a family vehicle.
  • Students must be 19 years of age or younger and enrolled in a public or private school (grades 1-12) located in Contra Costa County.
  • The parent/guardian must agree to complete a follow-up survey and agree to receive 511 Contra Costa’s monthly e-newsletter.
LEARN MORE
APRENDE MÁS

Pass2Class is made available with funding from Contra Costa Transportation Authority and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

Image of bus agency logos

Summer Youth Pass 2023

Last day to purchase: Friday, July 21, 2023

Looking for discounts on public transit this summer? The Summer Youth Pass might be your answer! If you live in Contra Costa County, you can ride Tri Delta Transit, WestCAT, or County Connection unlimited for $30 all summer long. Now, that’s a deal. (You can’t even see 3 summer blockbuster movies for that much.)

PURCHASE YOUR SUMMER YOUTH PASS
LEARN MORE

Summer Youth Pass Details

  • Valid June 1-August 31, 2023
  • Eligible for ages 6-18 years
  • Participants must live, work, or attend school in Contra Costa County. Proof of eligibility may be required.
  • Limited to five (5) passes per household.

See service area maps:

Program Rules:

  • Summer Youth Passes are valid on local and express routes operated by County Connection, Tri Delta Transit, and WestCAT from June 1, 2023 to August 31, 2023. Not valid on Paratransit, Tri MyRide 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 youth ages 6-18 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, non-redeemable and non-transferable. No refunds shall be made for purchased passes. Lost or stolen passes shall not be replaced. No refunds shall be made if one or more participating transit agency provides free fares during validity period.
  • Summer Youth Pass is made available with funding from Contra Costa Transportation Authority and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.

Free Rides in October on All Routes

Ride free in October on County Connection. (Image of a cartoon bus flying through the sky.)
  • All County Connection buses and paratransit are free to ride for the entire month of October, no payment required for any passenger. 
  • A month of free rides is made possible by federal stimulus funding and is intended to not only help essential workers save money but encourage commuters to take public transit. 
  • While public transit ridership numbers remain below pre-pandemic levels, County Connection has doubled its passenger count in the past two years. 

Have you heard? County Connection is offering free rides to all who board one of our buses along any route, as well as paratransit. A month of fare-free riding this October is just one of the ways County Connection, and other public transit agencies like WestCAT, hope to encourage more people in Contra Costa County to choose public transportation as a commute option.  

During Fall 2019, average monthly passenger levels were over 300,000 compared to the fall of 2020 when there were fewer than 100,000 monthly passengers, down by 71% from the previous year. By comparison, in August 2022, there’s been some uptick, with roughly 200,000 bus passengers.  

Infographic of monthly passenger averages by year, 2019-2022. Image reflects roughly 300k passengers per month in 2019, 100k in 2020, 150k in 2021, and 200k in 2022.

Although daily routines are returning to what they were before the pandemic, public transit ridership remains low. “County Connection is not the only bus agency that saw a dramatic dip in ridership,” says Bill Churchill, General Manager of County Connection. “Though an industry-wide trend, we are proud to have doubled our passenger count in the past two years.” 

Still, the commuter landscape has changed—maybe forever as more office-based work allows for flexible and on-going work schedules Those who do not have the option to work from home are choosing to drive alone on their commute, leaving many public transit routes with very little ridership.  

Federal funding has been made available for transit agencies to apply toward operational costs as well as a stimulus for increasing ridership. “We plan our routes and frequency of bus service based on our passenger counts,” explained Pranjal Dixit, Manager of Planning, “and travel patterns are still irregular.” In spring 2021, County Connection made a major service change to better match service levels to rider demand, which included shifting resources from peak-hour commute routes in order to preserve essential local service. 

County Connection serves Central Contra Costa County and is especially critical for the essential workforce who may not have any other commute option, as was evident during the height of the pandemic when 20% of passengers never stopped riding. In addition, given recent increases in traffic congestion, gas prices, and climate change impacts, public transit provides a greener, cost-effective alternative to driving alone. Free rides on County Connection will not only help essential workers save money, but hopefully persuade others to get back on transit–perhaps beyond October. 

For more information on County Connection routes serving your area, visit countyconnection.com or call Customer Service at (925) 676-1976.

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).

Apply Now

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.

Download Application (PDF)

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
Apply Now

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

Fall Fare Promotions – 2021

County Connection looks forward to welcoming back more passengers this Fall. Additional service restoration will be effective on August 8th, with all school service available for the new school year. Our buses are operating at full capacity and masks continue to be required.

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. We are also offering fare promotions this Fall, including free rides for ALL in September 2021 and free passes for students. Learn more about these programs below.

We want your feedback! Take our survey here!

Free Rides in September

Ride FREE on any route

Everyone rides free on all County Connection routes and LINK paratransit during the entire month of September!

Just hop on any County Connection bus and get where you need to go. Plus, you can also ride free on our fellow East Bay operators (Tri Delta Transit, WestCAT, & Wheels), and get 50% off BART fares when using Clipper in September. We look forward to welcoming you back on transit!

Tip: If you typically use a 31-day pass on Clipper, consider disabling Autoload and avoid activating any new passes during the month of August. We are not be able to issue refunds for partially used passes.

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 in-person learning, 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 October (up to 2 per household and while supplies last).

Apply Now

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.

Download Application (PDF)

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
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