Spring service changes will take effect starting Sunday, March 21, 2021, and will include schedule adjustments to Routes 6, 10, 17, 20, 27, 310, 311, 314, 315, 320, 321, & 335.
Due to COVID-19, many transit agencies throughout the Bay Area face varying degrees of financial uncertainty and must evaluate cost-cutting measures in order to remain financially viable. These are tough decisions and we want your input.
County Connection will conduct virtual meetings in the coming months to inform the public of potential service cuts. The first meeting will provide a general overview of the impact COVID-19 has had on funding levels, the current service profile and three scenarios for potential service reductions. This meeting is scheduled via Zoom on December 1st at 5pm. Subsequent public hearings are scheduled in January.
Please check this webpage on a regular basis to stay informed.
Service Proposals
Three service reduction scenarios have been developed with incremental service cuts that would result in cost reductions of $3, $5, and $7 million annually. The selection of the scenario will depend on future financial projections.
Scenario
Frequency Reductions
Elimination of Routes
Alignment Changes
Reduction in Hours
Reduction in Annual Costs
Scenario 1 (changes from pre-COVID service)
4, 5, 6, 7, 27, 35, 92X, 95X, 96X
–
6, 28, 92X
13%
$3M
Scenario 2 (changes in addition to Scenario 1)
15, 17, 93X, 98X, 99X
91X, 97X, 315
15, 35
20%
$5M
Scenario 3 (changes in addition to Scenarios 1 & 2)
Route 28 – extend to Concord BART, reroute from Arnold/Center to Muir Rd
Route 35 – eliminate Crow Canyon loop (New change since December webinar)
Route 92X – simplify routing through Bishop Ranch to remove stops at BR15 and Bishop/Sunset
Scenario 3 Map
Timeline
December 1, 2020
Webinar
December 2020 – January 2021
Refine plan details
January 2021
Hold public hearings and gather public comment
February 18, 2021
Summary of comments and draft recommendation to Board for feedback
March 18, 2021
Final recommendation and Title VI Equity Analysis to Board for potential approval
Summer 2021 (or later)
Implementation
Webinar
Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at 5:00 pm
Members of the public are encouraged to participate remotely via Zoom at the following link or phone number. Members of the public participating by Zoom wishing to speak should use the “raise hand” feature or dial *9. In order to get the full Zoom experience, please make sure your application is up to date.
County Connection will hold four (4) public hearings to gather comments on potential service cuts. The public hearings will review three (3) proposed service reduction scenarios, and each public hearing will focus on a different region of County Connection’s service area.
Comments can be submitted in writing via mail, email, or online, or at one of the scheduled public hearings. Written comments must be received by January 22, 2021. It is anticipated that the Board of Directors will take action on the proposed service changes no later than March 18, 2021.
At one of the public hearings (ALL via teleconference):
North Service Area – Martinez, North Concord Tuesday, January 5, 2021, 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Web link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88020890928 By phone: 408-638-0968 (Meeting ID: 880 2089 0928)
Core Service Area – Clayton, Concord, Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek Tuesday, January 5, 2021, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Web link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82806333877 By phone: 408-638-0968 (Meeting ID: 828 0633 3877)
South Service Area – Danville, San Ramon, Dublin Friday, January 8, 2021, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Web link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83388778518 By phone: 408-638-0968 (Meeting ID: 833 8877 8518)
Winter service changes will take effect starting Sunday, October 4, 2020, and will include schedule adjustments to Routes 4, 6, 7, 35, 92X, 93X, 95X, 96X, 310, 311, 314, 316, 320, 321, & 335.
UPDATE (8/4/2020): Additional schedule adjustments have been made due to COVID-19. Affected routes are noted as UPDATED in the table below.
Fall service changes will take effect starting Sunday, August 9, 2020, and will include schedule adjustments to ALL routes, plus routing changes on Routes 6, 28, 92X, 97X, 311, & 321.
Click here for changes to 600-series school routes for the 2020/2021 school year.
Winter service changes will take effect starting Sunday, November 17, 2019, and will include major schedule and routing changes to routes serving Bishop Ranch (Routes 92X, 95X, 96X, and 97X), as well as minor schedule changes on Routes 1, 9, and 93X.
Summary of Changes
10 min peak frequency from Walnut Creek to Bishop Ranch, see Routes 95X & 96X
Reduction in service on Route 97X (3 fewer AM trips, 1 less PM trip)
Stops at Chevron, BR 3, & BR 6 will no longer be served. BR 7 will no longer be served by Routes 95X, 96X, & 97X.
Increased service; routing change to serve northern part of Bishop Ranch (Annabel, BR 8, & BR 15); southbound AM trips and northbound PM trips will not serve Danville Park & Ride
New weekend Route 335 will begin service on Sunday, August 11, 2019. Ride for FREE through the end of September 2019!
This new route will serve the San Ramon Transit Center, Bollinger Canyon Rd, Dougherty Rd, and Dublin/Pleasanton BART on Saturdays and Sundays. The route will operate hourly between 8:00 am and 7:00 pm. Trips will be interlined with Route 321, meaning passengers can stay on the bus to continue on to Danville, Alamo, and Walnut Creek BART.
Try it out for FREE through the end of September 2019! Free rides sponsored by 511 Contra Costa.
UPDATE (5/28/2019): Based on the feedback received, County Connection has decided to delay the proposed changes to Routes 95X, 96X, and 97X until winter at the earliest. However, the new Route 335 weekend service from Dublin/Pleasanton BART to San Ramon will be implemented starting this August.
At the February 2019 Board of Directors meeting, staff presented a service restructure proposal for routes serving Bishop Ranch in San Ramon. The Board authorized staff to begin the public hearing process for the proposed changes. Staff will conduct the following two (2) public hearings:
Tuesday, April 9, 2019, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Walnut Creek Council Chambers 1666 N. Main St, Walnut Creek
Wednesday, April 10, 2019, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm San Ramon Community Center, Fountain Room 12501 Alcosta Blvd, San Ramon
Comments are due by April 26, 2019 and may be submitted in the following ways:
In writing to: Director of Planning & Marketing 2477 Arnold Industrial Way Concord, CA 94520
Calling Customer Service at (925) 676-7500 (Mon-Fri, 6:30am-6:30pm)
At the public hearing in San Ramon or Walnut Creek (see details above)
It is anticipated that the Board of Directors will take action on the proposed service changes at their regular meeting scheduled on May 16, 2019.
Proposed Changes
Eliminate Route 95X(see proposed Route 97X changes for alternate service)
Re-route Route 96X to terminate at the San Ramon Transit Center
Re-route Route 97X to operate between Walnut Creek BART and the San Ramon Transit Center via I-680 and Crow Canyon Rd. The route will also serve the Danville Park N Ride on peak trips going to/from Walnut Creek BART. The route will no longer serve Dublin/Pleasanton BART
Implement new weekend Route 335 from San Ramon Transit Center to Dublin/Pleasanton BART
Remove service to JFK and along Patterson Blvd and Oak Park Blvd (to be replaced by Route 18)
10
Terminate some peak trips at new Washington/Michigan loop. Remove service from Ayers/Kirker Pass loop
11
Minor schedule adjustments
14
Extend to Walnut Creek BART (to replace portion of Route 15). Increase service frequency
15
Remove service between Pleasant Hill BART and Walnut Creek BART (to be replaced by Route 14). Extend to John Muir Medical Center in Concord. Increase service frequency.
16
Minor schedule adjustments
17
Minor schedule adjustments
18
Realign route to serve Patterson Blvd and Oak Park Blvd (to replace portion of Route 9).
19
Streamline route alignment between Galaxy Way and Contra Costa Blvd and between Concord Ave and Concord BART. Remove service along Bisso Ln and Stanwell Dr. Increase service frequency.
20
Increase service frequency
21
Minor schedule adjustments
25
Service discontinued
27
New route from North Concord BART to Bates Ave and Arnold Industrial Way.
28
Remove service between DVC and North Concord BART (portion to be replaced by Route 27). Realign to serve Muir Rd and Arnold Dr.
35
Extend select trips to Crow Canyon (to replace portion of Route 36). Increase service frequency.
36
Service discontinued. Northern portion to be replaced by Route 35.
91X
No changes
92X
Remove service along Alcosta Blvd
93X
Limited stops trip to serve all stops. Minor schedule adjustments.
95X
Minor schedule adjustments
96X
No changes
97X
No changes
98X
Increase peak service frequency
99X
Realign to serve Arnold Industrial Way.
301
Service discontinued. Service between Walnut Creek BART and John Muir Medical Center to be replaced by Route 311
310
Remove service from Ayers/Kirker pass loop. Select trips extended to serve Downtown Clayton
311
Extend route to John Muir Medical Center (to replace portion of Route 301).
314
Minor schedule adjustments
315
Increase service frequency
316
No changes
320
Minor schedule adjustments
321
No changes
627
Service to be replaced by Route 27
No changes will be made to school routes (600 series) or Routes 250 and 260.
Summary of Fare Changes
Cash fares will be increased to $2.50 for all routes, and paper passes and transfers will be eliminated. Transfers and monthly passes will only be available on Clipper. Clipper fares will remain the same.
Fare Type
Current
Mar 10
Additional Details
Cash
Clipper
Single ride
Adult/Youth Local
$2.00
$2.50
$2.00
Cash fare to increase by $0.50 on local routes. Clipper fare will remain at $2.00.
Adult/Youth Express
$2.25
$2.50
$2.25
Cash fare to increase by $0.25 on express routes (90 series). Clipper fare will remain at $2.25.
Children under 6
Free
Free
When accompanied by an adult
Senior/Disabled
$1.00
$1.25
$1.00
Cash fare to increase by $0.25 on all regular and express routes. Clipper fare will remain at $1.00.
Senior/Disabled, 10am – 2pm
Free
$1.25
$1.00
Midday free program to be eliminated.
Bus-to-Bus transfer
Free
–
Free
Paper transfers to be eliminated. One free two-hour transfer automatically given on Clipper.
Adult/Youth BART transfer
$1.00
–
$1.00
Paper BART transfer ticket to be eliminated. Transfer credit automatically given on Clipper.
Senior/Disabled BART transfer
$0.50
–
$0.50
Paper BART transfer ticket to be eliminated. Transfer credit automatically given on Clipper.
LINK Paratransit
$4.00
$5.00
–
One-way fare for all LINK paratransit trips
Passes
Adult East Bay Day Pass
$3.75 (Clipper only)
–
$3.75
No change. Daily fares are automatically capped on Clipper. (Click here to learn more)
Senior/Disabled East Bay Day Pass
$1.75 (Clipper only)
–
$1.75
No change. Daily fares are automatically capped on Clipper. (Click here to learn more)
Regular Monthly East Bay Pass
$60.00
–
$60.00
Paper monthly pass to be eliminated. 31-day pass for local routes will continue to be available on Clipper.
Express Monthly East Bay Pass
$70.00
–
$70.00
Paper monthly pass to be eliminated. 31-day pass for express routes will continue to be available on Clipper.
Adult/Youth 12-Ride Pass
$20.00
–
–
Pass to be eliminated.
Adult/Youth 12-Ride Express Pass
$23.00
–
–
Pass to be eliminated.
Senior/Disabled 20-Ride Pass
$15.00
–
–
Pass to be eliminated.
Commuter Card
$40.00
–
–
Pass to be eliminated.
Phase out of paper passes:
February 2019 will be the last month that paper monthly passes will be available.
Paper punch passes, including 12-Ride Passes, 20-Ride Passes, and Commuter Cards, will no longer be sold starting March 1, 2019.
Starting March 1, 2020, paper punch passes will no longer be accepted onboard vehicles.
Outreach Events
Staff will be present at various outreach events to provide information on the service changes, help with trip planning, and answer questions.
We’ll also be giving away limited-edition County Connection Clipper Cards at our outreach events, so be sure to get yours before they’re gone!
Date
Time
Location
Tue, Jan 15, 2019
7:30AM – 9:30AM
Concord BART
Thu, Jan 17, 2019
2:00PM – 4:00PM
North Concord BART
Tue, Jan 22, 2019
7:30AM – 9:30AM
Pleasant Hill BART
Thu, Jan 24, 2019
2:00PM – 4:00PM
Walnut Creek BART
Mon, Jan 28, 2019
2:00PM – 4:00PM
Martinez Amtrak
Tue, Jan 29, 2019
7:30AM – 9:30AM
Lafayette BART
Wed, Jan 30, 2019
10:00AM – 12:00PM
Martinez Amtrak
Thu, Jan 31, 2019
2:00PM – 4:00PM
Orinda BART
Tue, Feb 5, 2019
7:30AM – 9:30AM
Dublin/Pleasanton BART
Thu, Feb 7, 2019
7:00AM – 8:30AM
North Concord BART
Fri, Feb 8, 2019
9:00AM – 12:00PM
Martinez Senior Center
Tue, Feb 12, 2019
7:30AM – 9:30AM
Concord BART
Wed, Feb 13, 2019
10:00AM – 12:00PM
DVC
Tue, Feb 19, 2019
7:30AM – 9:30AM
Walnut Creek BART
Tue, Feb 19, 2019
1:00PM – 3:30PM
DVC
Thu, Feb 21, 2019
12:00PM – 2:00PM
Martinez Amtrak
Tue, Feb 26, 2019
7:30AM – 9:30AM
San Ramon Transit Center
Wed, Feb 27, 2019
7:30AM – 9:30AM
Pleasant Hill BART
Thu, Feb 28, 2019
1:00PM – 3:30PM
DVC
Fri, Mar 1, 2019
9:00AM – 1:00PM
Concord Senior Center
Thu, Mar 7, 2019
2:00PM – 4:00PM
Concord BART
Subject to change. Check back for updates as additional events are added.
Can’t make it to an outreach event?
Call or email us for questions and to get more information:
In summer of 2017, staff started the process to restructure service throughout Central County in an effort to increase productivity and to modernize the agency’s fare structure. The data-driven process started with a Comprehensive Operations Analysis (COA), a passenger survey, and staff’s interactions with passengers on routes with proposed changes.
Staff conducted six public hearings throughout County Connection’s service area in June and July 2018. In response to public comments received, staff adjusted the service proposal in an effort to minimize negative impacts. The final service proposal was approved by the Board in December 2018, and the fare proposal was approved in January 2019.