Tag: Public Hearing

Notice of Public Hearing – Thursday, June 19, 2025, 9:00 am

The Central Contra Costa Transit Authority (County Connection) will hold a public hearing to receive public comment on the following proposed changes to Clipper fares:

• Continuation of the 50% discount for single-ride fare for Clipper START riders
• Continuation of the 50% discount for single-ride fare for Youth Clipper riders

Clipper START & Youth Clipper Discounts

County Connection’s Clipper START and Youth Clipper fare discounts began as a pilot program in January 2021. The Clipper START program offers a 50% discount on single-ride Clipper fares for eligible low-income adults. To provide a similar benefit for younger riders, County Connection implemented a parallel 50% discount for those using a Youth Clipper card (ages 6-18), as Clipper START is limited to adults over 18.

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), which partially subsidizes Clipper START, proposes making the program permanent after the pilot concludes on June 30, 2025. County Connection, therefore, recommends continuing the 50% single-ride fare discount for Clipper START riders, contingent on continued funding from MTC or similar sources. Additionally, to ensure youth continue to benefit, County Connection propose maintaining the parallel 50% discount for youth riders (ages 6-18) using a Youth Clipper car

How to Comment

Comments can be submitted in writing via mail, email, or online, or at the scheduled public hearing. Written comments must be received by June 11, 2025.

• Add a comment on this post (see bottom of page)
• Mail your comment in writing to:
  Director of Planning & Marketing
  2477 Arnold Industrial Way
  Concord, CA 94520
• Email planning@countyconnection.com
• Speak at the public hearing on Thursday, June 19, 2025 at 9:00 am (in person or via teleconference):
  • In person:
    Gayle B. Uilkema Memorial Board Room
    2477 Arnold Industrial Way
    Concord, CA 94520
  • Teleconference/Web link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85399133311
• By phone: 408-638-0968 (Meeting ID: 853 9913 3311)

NOTE: It is anticipated that the Board of Directors will take action on the proposed fare program at their regular meeting scheduled for June 19, 2025 following the public hearing.

Notice of Public Hearing – Thursday, September 28, 2023, 9:00 am

County Connection is seeking public comment on a fare change proposal, which includes an increased discount for Clipper START and Youth Clipper from 20% to 50%, as well as the elimination of Express route surcharges on Clipper.

Clipper START & Youth Clipper Discounts

The Clipper START and Youth Clipper fare discounts on County Connection began as a pilot in January 2021. The Clipper START program provides a 20% discount off the Clipper single-ride fare for eligible low-income adults. Because the Clipper START program is limited to adults over the age of 18, County Connection implemented a similar 20% discount for riders using a Youth Clipper card. In order to increase participation, incentivize ridership, and create more consistency throughout the region, County Connection is proposing to increase the discount to 50% for both Clipper START and Youth Clipper.

Express Route Fares

Currently, riders using Clipper are charged an extra $0.25 on Express routes, and a 31-day pass that is valid on Express routes costs an extra $10. In an effort to simplify its fare structure, County Connection is proposing to eliminate these surcharges so that the fare for Express routes is the same as for Local routes and there is a single 31-day pass that is valid on all routes. 

Summary of Proposed Changes

The table below shows a combined summary of the proposed fare changes.

How to Comment

Comments can be submitted in writing via mail, email, or online, or at the scheduled public hearing. Written comments must be received by September 20, 2023.

• Add a comment on this post (see bottom of page)
• Mail your comment in writing to:
  Director of Planning & Marketing
  2477 Arnold Industrial Way
  Concord, CA 94520
• Email planning@countyconnection.com
• Speak at the public hearing on Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 9:00 am (in person or via teleconference):
  • In person:
    Gayle B. Uilkema Memorial Board Room
    2477 Arnold Industrial Way
    Concord, CA 94520
  • Teleconference/Web link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85399133311
  • By phone: 408-638-0968 (Meeting ID: 853 9913 3311)

NOTE: It is anticipated that the Board of Directors will take action on the proposed changes at their regular meeting scheduled for September 28, 2023, following the public hearing. If approved, the proposed fare changes would take effect on January 1, 2024. The Clipper START and Youth fare discounts would remain a pilot program through June 30, 2025. However, the proposed Express route fare changes would be permanent.

UPDATE ON PUBLIC HEARINGS
Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on the proposed service changes for Route 27 and 99X during today’s public hearing. We heard a lot of great comments and our Board approved the proposal to consolidate the two routes into a single free route, connecting Martinez Amtrak to North Concord BART. Changes will take effect August 6, 2023. Look for additional notifications posted on buses and our website.

Notice of Public Hearing – Thursday, May 18, 2023, 9:00 am

The Central Contra Costa Transit Authority (County Connection) will hold a public hearing to gather comment on proposed changes to Route 99X and elimination of Route 27, which would be replaced by select trips on Route 99X. The proposal also includes offering free rides on Route 99X. Further information on the proposed changes is provided below.

Service & Fare Change Proposal

Route 99X began operating in August 2018 and is funded by the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) cap and trade grant program. Since its launch, the route has not attracted much ridership and continues to underperform compared to other express routes. Given its low performance, changes are being proposed to increase efficiency and productivity. The proposal also includes consolidation of Route 27, which currently provides limited trips within North Concord. The proposed new alignment and schedule would:

• Provide a faster and more direct connection between North Concord BART and Martinez Amtrak;
• Continue serving high usage stops like North Concord BART, Concord Adult Homeless Shelter, Morello/Arnold, Martinez Amtrak, and Mason Circle;
• Eliminate route segments with little to no ridership on both Routes 27 and 99X, including Pike Ln, the Pacheco Transit Center, Muir Rd, and Arnold Dr;
• Improve transfer connections with Amtrak; and
• Preserve existing service levels overall, including hours and frequency

Since the consolidation of Route 27 into Route 99X would result in current riders on Route 27 paying the higher Express route fare when using Clipper, the proposal also includes making Route 99X fare-free.

Staff reports:

How to Comment

Comments can be submitted in writing via mail, email, or online, or at the scheduled public hearing. Written comments must be received by May 10, 2023.

• Add a comment on this post (bottom of page)
• Mail your comment in writing to:
  Director of Planning & Marketing
  2477 Arnold Industrial Way
  Concord, CA 94520
• Email planning@countyconnection.com
• Speak at the public hearing on Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 9:00 am (in person or via teleconference):
  • In person:
    Gayle B. Uilkema Memorial Board Room
    2477 Arnold Industrial Way
    Concord, CA 94520
  • Teleconference/Web link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85399133311
  • By phone: 408-638-0968 (Meeting ID: 853 9913 3311)

It is anticipated that the Board of Directors will take action on the proposed program at their regular meeting scheduled for May 18, 2023, following the public hearing.