Senior & ADA – County Connection

Tag: Senior & ADA

Travel Training For Seniors & Disabled Persons

Concord, CA, April 25, 2023 – County Connection is pleased to announce our newly founded Travel Training Program for seniors and disabled community members living in Central Contra Costa County. A program of Central Contra Costa Transit Authority and in partnership with Independent Living Resources of Solano & Contra Costa Counties (ILR), this free service is intended to teach practical travel skills to those who may be unsure how to navigate public transit on their own.  

Some of the tools participants will learn include understanding how to plan a trip on public transit, safe and secure travel tips, and using technology to locate a bus and pay for fares. There are individual and group trainings available, as well as field trips for anyone wanting to experience riding a County Connection fixed-route bus within a safe, supportive, and accessible learning environment. Skills learned through the trainings are applicable to all public transit.  

“We have been working to develop this program for many years,” expressed Rashida Kamara, Director of ADA & Special Services with County Connection. “Public transit is for everyone and being able to expand our existing ADA services with this program gives people independence and quality of living–just by simply demystifying how to ride a bus.”

Helping to lead the travel trainings is Sarah Birdwell, who is a person with a disability and says, “I’m an advocate for disabled rights and am passionate for giving back to my community.” Birdwell has sat on the board of two different committees in the disability community and uses her positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others. “Something that may seem as simple as riding a bus is intimidating for many seniors and disabled people…especially with emerging technologies,” said Birdwell. “I’m here to help.”

For those who know someone or are interested in this Travel Training Program themself, participants must reside in Clayton, Concord, Martinez, Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek, or Unincorporated Central Contra Costa County. If participants live outside of the service area, many other regional transit agencies also offer similar programs, including WestCAT, FAST, and MTC. 

To learn more please visit the ILR website (ilrscc.org) or contact Sarah Birdwell, Travel Training Program Coordinator, at sarahb@ilrscc.org, 925-363-7293 (ext. 114). 

County Connection LINK receives award from CalACT

CalACT Board Member Gracie Davis (left) presents County Connection’s Director of ADA & Specialized Services, Rashida Kamara (right), with the Outstanding Paratransit Program Award at the 2022 Spring Conference & EXPO in Newport Beach, CA.

In late April 2022, County Connection was presented with the Outstanding Paratransit Program Award by the California Association for Coordinated Transportation (CalACT) at its spring conference in Newport Beach, CA. CalACT is a statewide transit association representing small, rural, and specialized transportation providers.

The Outstanding Paratransit Program Award recognizes paratransit programs that have demonstrated achievement in efficiency, effectiveness, and customer service. County Connection LINK was recognized as a paratransit program that stood out as such by providing essential and innovative services during the pandemic.

Through its contracted operator Transdev, County Connection LINK serves more than 1,700 ADA-eligible customers with close to 70,000 annual trips within a service area of roughly 200 square miles covering over 480,000 residents. The success of the agency’s LINK paratransit program stems from the staff’s dedication to the paratransit community as well as the Contra Costa County community as a whole. During the pandemic, County Connection LINK has been involved in transporting ADA-eligible riders throughout Contra Costa County through the One Seat Regional Ride Program, delivering meals to disadvantaged elderly residents in partnership with Meals on Wheels, and transporting COVID-19 positive residents to medical services. These operational and financial partnerships reflect the goals and policies set forth by the agency’s leadership and ensure that LINK paratransit customers are served safely, reliably, and efficiently.

Contra Costa Accessible Transportation Strategic Plan

Let’s make transportation convenient for older adults and people with disabilities!

If you’re an older adult, have a disability, or are a veteran, transportation in Contra Costa County can be challenging. We want to identify ways to make it easier for you to get around the county—whether you’re going to an appointment, getting groceries, visiting family, or anything else.

You can participate from home!

Due to the shelter-in-place we are asking individuals to complete the survey online or participate in a short phone interview. Participants will be entered in a drawing for a $25 gift card! 

Accessible Transportation Strategic PlanDownload
Plan Estratégico de Transporte Accesible de Contra CostaDownload

Paratransit Information for Passengers

Exciting new changes beginning July 1, 2019!

The County Connection Board of Directors has approved exciting changes to improve the experience for our passengers.

Enhancements include:

  • A variety of vehicles ranging from wheelchair accessible vans to minivans. All vehicles will be easily identified as County Connection LINK vehicles.
  • Drivers and dispatchers will have improved GPS and mapping tools.
  • Drivers will receive enhanced customer service training.
  • Over the next 90 days, we will be testing and launching a new passenger app that will provide passengers with access to trip information, such as current vehicle location and status of pick up, as well as future trips and ride history.

Call Center

Our call center agents, who will also be going through enhanced customer service training, will continue to be of assistance to you by dialing (925) 938-7433. Please check our website www.countyconnection.com/paratransit for future updates and information as we launch the new mobile app.

You will still have the option to book your ride through the call center as you do today.

Some reminders and tips:

  • Have the exact fare. Drivers do not make change.
  • Call 925-938-RIDE (938-7433) to schedule a LINK trip.  
  • You may book reservations up to 7 days advance, but no later than 5:00 p.m. the day before.

If you have any questions about your rides or service, please call the LINK reservations line at (925) 938-7433. If you have any questions or concerns about the information provided on this webpage, please contact us at LINKcomments@countyconnection.com or (925) 680-2098.

Please check this page for future updates and information.

Paratransit Information for Centers and Facilities

New Technology for Trip Generating Facilities

Over the next ninety days we will be testing and launching a ride management system for our trip generating partners/facilities called Facility Transit Manager. Facility Transit Manager is easily accessed through a web link. This system enables you to provide increased customer service for our shared customers.  Facility team members will be able to view scheduled rides and track the estimated time of arrival for vehicles transporting your clients. A County Connection team member will be available to help with setting up the system at your location and will reach out to you soon with more information.

If you have any questions or concerns about the information provided on this webpage, please contact us at LINKcomments@countyconnection.com or (925) 680-2098. 

Please check this page for future updates and information.