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Is Your Bike Ready to Ride? Do the ABC Quick Check

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With May being bike month, you might find yourself reaching for your bike helmet instead of the car keys. An easy way to remember what to check on your bike before heading out, especially if you haven’t ridden it in a while, is ‘ABC Quick Check‘:

A – Air: Check the air in your tires. Inflate to the pressure listed on the side of the tire. Spin the wheels and check for wear. If there’s less than 1/4” of tread, it’s time for a new set.

B – Brakes: Brake levers should stop short of reaching the handlebar when pulled. Brake pads should be clean, straight, and contact the rims. You should still be able to see the pattern of grooves in the brake pads. Check coaster brakes by spinning the back wheel and pushing the pedal backward.

C – Chain: The chain should move freely, be free of rust, and lightly oiled. Pro tip: Avoid solvents like WD40 on your chain – use a lubricant instead.

Quick – Quick-release levers: If your bike has quick-release levers, make sure they are all closed.

Check – Give the bike a gentle bounce, looking and listening for anything loose: Take a slow, brief ride to check that your bike seat and handlebars are adjusted to the right height and that everything is working properly.

If your bike needs attention beyond the ABC’s, take it to a local bike shop for a thorough tune-up.

For more bicycle maintenance resources and free classes, visit the Bike East Bay website. Also be sure to check out 511 Contra Costa’s maintenance and safe biking resources.

Presidents’ Day 2022 Transit Service (Monday, Feb. 21)

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On Presidents’ Day (Monday, February 21), some transit agencies will provide regular weekday service while others will run on modified schedules. Below, we’ve collected information on Contra Costa holiday transit service for easy reference.

Click any link below for additional schedule information.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2022 Transit Service (January 17)

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On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Monday, January 17), some transit agencies will provide regular weekday service while others will run on modified schedules. Below, we’ve collected information on Contra Costa holiday transit service for easy reference.

Click any link below for additional information.

New Year’s Eve 2021 & New Year’s Day 2022 Transit Schedules

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On New Year’s Eve, some transit agencies serving Contra Costa will operate on modified schedules while others will provide regular weekday service. On New Year’s Day, all transit agencies will run on weekend or holiday schedules, except for those providing no service: County Connection, San Francisco Bay Ferry, SolTrans, Fairfield & Suisun Transit, and Golden Gate Bus.

Late Night BART Service from San Francisco: On New Years Eve, BART will be deploying two extra sets of trains, for revelers attending San Francisco events. The last East Bay bound train running through Downtown San Francisco will be at around 1:30am. For full details, refer to this article on BART.gov. (Parking at all BART stations is free after 3pm on Friday. You can also leave your car overnight if necessary. Parking is free on weekends.)

Free Rides on Transit: Both AC Transit and SF Muni are offering free rides on all lines from 8pm New Year’s Eve through 5am New Year’s Day. This includes all AC Transit Transbay buses. Caltrain is also offering free rides starting at 8pm New Year’s Eve until the end of special late night service.

Click any link below for additional information.

New Year’s Eve (Friday, December 31)

New Year’s Day (Saturday, January 1)

Christmas 2021: Holiday Transit Schedules (Dec. 24 & 25)

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On Christmas Day, all transit agencies serving Contra Costa will offer either modified service or no service. On Christmas Eve, some transit agencies will run on regular weekday schedules while others will operate on holiday schedules.

SolTrans Service Note: For all weekdays from Christmas Eve through New Year’s Eve, all SolTrans lines including SolanoExpress will operate on a Saturday service schedule.

Click any link below for additional information.

Christmas Eve (Friday, December 24)

Christmas Day (Saturday, December 25)

Thanksgiving 2021 – Holiday Transit Service

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On Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 25), all transit agencies serving Contra Costa County will run on modified schedules. In addition, some agencies will run on modified schedules the day after Thanksgiving (Nov. 26).

Thanksgiving Day – Nov. 25

Day After Thanksgiving – Nov. 26

  • WestCAT: JR/JL, DAR, 11 and 19 – Saturday service
  • Tri Delta Transit – 392, 393, 394, 395, and 396 only (on a Sunday schedule)
  • Capitol Corridor – Weekend/Holiday service
  • Wheels – Saturday service
  • FAST:
    • Local Routes – Regular service
    • SolanoExpress Blue Line – Saturday service
    • SolanoExpress GX Line – No service
  • Golden Gate Transit – Holiday service
  • SolTrans – Saturday service
  • All other transit on regular weekday schedules (BART, AC Transit, County Connection, San Francisco Bay Ferry)

Veterans Day 2021 Transit Service (Thursday, Nov. 11)

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On Veterans Day (Thursday, Nov. 11), most transit agencies serving Contra Costa will run on regular weekday schedules. Tri Delta Transit, WestCAT, SolTrans, and FAST will operate on modified schedules. We’ve collected service information for all transit providers for easy reference.

Click any link for additional information.

Modified/Holiday Service

  • Tri Delta Transit: Routes 392, 393, 394, 395 & 396 on a Sunday schedule
  • WestCAT:
    Lynx – Current COVID-19 Schedule
    JL/JR, DAR, Local (11, 19) – Saturday Service
    30Z, JPX, JX, C3 – No Service
  • Fairfield & Suisun Transit:
    Local Routes – Saturday Service
    Blue Line – Saturday Service
    GX Line – No Service
  • Solano Transit: Saturday Service

Regular Weekday Service

Labor Day 2021 Transit Service (Sept. 6)

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On Monday, September 6, transit will run on adjusted schedules throughout Contra Costa. We’ve collected schedule information below for all agencies serving the county.

NOTE: County Connection, FAST, SolTrans, and SolanoExpress will offer no service on September 6.

Click any link for additional information

Labor Day (Monday, September 6)

Fare-Free September: Ride Transit for Free

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Enjoy fare-free rides on all County Connection, Tri Delta Transit, WestCAT, and Wheels buses during the month of September

Bay Area transit agencies are welcoming you back to transit by offering free or discounted rides during the month of September.

County Connection, Tri Delta Transit, WestCAT, and Wheels are going fare-free on all routes for the entire month. This includes Tri MyRide, Paratransit routes, and even WestCAT’s express Lynx service between Contra Costa and San Francisco.

31-Day Pass Holders: Delay activating any new 31-Day Pass until October 1 so you don’t lose any value. If you use a 31-Day Pass on Clipper, consider temporarily disabling Autoload to avoid paying during September.

Fare-Free Fridays: AC Transit

AC Transit will be offering fare-free rides on Fridays during September on all local and Transbay routes. Riders can expect to see fareboxes and Clipper card readers covered, Tempo ticket vending machines turned off, and mobile fare payment deactivated on Fridays during this time.

50% Off All Clipper Fares for September: BART

BART is offering 50% off all Clipper fares during the month of September. The discount will be automatically applied to Clipper cards when using the fare gates. All cards will receive the 50% discount, including already discounted fares like Youth, Senior, RTC, Clipper Start, and the Gator Pass.

Clipper’s online Trip Planner and Fare Calculator have been updated to show discounted fares during the month of September.

50% off All Caltrain Fares

For the month of September, Caltrain is offering 50% off all fares.

Transit Service Restoration & Schedule Changes

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Many transit agencies serving Contra Costa County have returned to service levels at or near pre-pandemic levels. Additionally, BART’s August 2 restoration has caused a number of transit agencies to update their schedules to make connections to and from BART easier.

Here’s a quick look at recent service restorations and schedule changes in Contra Costa. Click any link below for more information.

  • BART – BART returned to near-regular service on August 2. Closing times have been extended to midnight Monday-Saturday. Sunday service will continue to run at 30-minute frequencies with a 9pm closure.
  • San Francisco Bay Ferry – On July 1, San Francisco Bay Ferry increased their service to levels surpassing pre-pandemic levels. They added rush hour trips, midday and late evening service, reduced fares, and brought back weekend service.
  • Tri Delta Transit – Tri Delta Transit made the return to full service on July 4, 2021.
  • FAST Transit / SolanoExpress – On August 1, FAST Transit Increased service on SolanoExpress routes, including Increased Green Express (GX) Line and Blue Line service. In addition, Blue Line service was transitioned from Pleasant Hill BART to Walnut Creek BART.
  • SolTrans / Solano Express – On August 1, SolTrans increased the frequency on the SolanoExpress Yellow Line, changing it to hourly service to and from Walnut Creek BART.
  • Wheels (LAVTA) – On June 14, Wheels reinstated weekday service to pre-COVID levels from approximately 6:00-9:00 am and 3:00-6:00 pm on Routes 1, 3, 8, 10R, 14, and 30R. Route 15 returned to all-day pre-COVID service levels. Service continues to end at 11 pm.
  • County Connection – August 8 – County Connection will be making fall service changes, which means an updated schedule, as well as the addition of service on Route 92X and the resumption of service on their 600-series school routes.
  • AC Transit – August 8 – AC Transit’s service changes will include a new schedule, the addition of operating hours on local and Transbay lines, and the reactivation of Supplementary Service to schools.
  • Tri Delta Transit – August 28 – Schedule change, routes will not be affected.

The Benefits of Using Clipper with Your Phone or Apple Watch

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If you have an iPhone, Apple Watch, or Android phone, you have the option of paying your transit fare using your mobile device instead of a plastic Clipper card. To help you decide if you’re ready to move your Clipper account to your phone or smart watch, here are some of the benefits, as well as some important reminders.

If You Have Your Phone, You Have Your Clipper Card

You no longer have to worry about forgetting or losing your plastic Clipper card. If you’ve got your phone or Apple Watch, you’re ready to use Clipper.

Adding Funds Is a Snap

Adding funds to your Clipper account takes only seconds with Apple Wallet and Google Pay. It saves you the time and trouble of finding a Clipper machine or visiting a website.

Added Funds Are Available Instantly

Because your Clipper account is connected to Apple Wallet or Google Pay, when you add funds to your Clipper account, they’re available instantly.

No Need to Unlock Your Phone to Use Clipper

To pay using your phone or Apple Watch, you don’t need to unlock your phone. With an Android phone, you only need to turn your phone screen on before holding it up to the Clipper reader. If you’re using an iPhone or Apple Watch you don’t even need to do that.

Things to Know Before Setting Up Your Mobile Device

  • Plastic Card Deactivation – Once you have transferred a plastic Clipper card to your mobile device, the plastic card can no longer be used at Clipper readers. If you want to be able to use both a plastic card and your phone, you should add a new Clipper card to your phone in Apple Wallet or Google Pay.
  • Transferred Plastic Cards Still Unlock BikeLink Lockers – If you use your Clipper card to unlock BikeLink eLockers, it will still work after you’ve transferred the card to your phone.
  • Android Smart Watches Not Supported – You can use an Apple Watch to pay your fares at Clipper readers, but that option doesn’t currently exist for Android smart watches.

If you’re ready to make the switch, the Clipper website offers simple step-by-step guides which help walk you through the process of transferring a plastic Clipper card to Apple Wallet or Google Pay. For more information about using Clipper on your phone, including an extensive FAQ, visit the Clipper website.

Visit ClipperCard.com

Independence Day (Actual & Observed) Transit Service

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BART Will Run Special Event Trains for San Francisco’s Fireworks

BART will be providing additional trains serving Embarcadero station after regular BART service ends for San Francisco’s 4th of July fireworks. On July 4, BART service will close at 9pm. About 30 minutes after the conclusion of the fireworks, BART will run two sets of special event trains from the Embarcadero Station to Richmond, Antioch, Berryessa, and SFO/Millbrae making all station stops.

Holiday Transit Schedules for July 4 & 5

With Independence Day being observed Monday, July 5, the holiday impacts transit schedules on both Sunday and Monday. We’ve collected information on transit service for both days.

Click any link below for additional schedule information.

Sunday, July 4

Monday, July 5

Memorial Day 2021 Transit Service (Monday, May 31)

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On Memorial Day (May 31), transit agencies serving Contra Costa will run on modified schedules, except for County Connection, SolTrans, and FAST which will offer no service.

Click any link below for additional schedule information.

Clipper START – Save up to 50% on Transit

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Clipper START is a pilot program which provides single-ride transit discounts on all Contra Costa transit agencies, as well as BART, SF Bay Ferry, and others. Bay Area residents age 19-64 who meet certain income requirements can apply for the program and save up to 50% on local fares.

With a Clipper START fare card, riders can receive single-fare discounts from 20% to 50%. Households of four making $53,000 or less annually qualify for the program. Learn more and apply online at clipperstartcard.com.
Visit ClipperStartCard.com
Note: In addition to the Clipper START program, Clipper discounts are available for seniors and people with disabilities. Some transit agencies also offer youth Clipper card fares.

Help Shape Transportation Projects – Regional & Local Surveys

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A simple but effective way to have an impact on transportation projects is by giving your feedback during the planning phase. Get involved and give your input on the Link21 regional transit project (BART, Capitol Corridor), bike and pedestrian accessibility in your area (Caltrans), and projects in Concord, Antioch, San Pablo, and Pleasant Hill.

Click any button below to jump to the related survey page

Regional Survey

Link21 (BART, Capitol Corridor): Link21 will transform Northern California’s passenger rail network into a faster, more connected system, providing safe, efficient, and affordable travel for everyone. At the core of Link21 is a new transbay crossing for BART and Regional Rail. Provide your thoughts on the draft goals and objectives.

This survey is now closed

Local Surveys

Caltrans Active Transportation Plan Survey: Help Caltrans plan for biking and walking improvements in your area. Identify concerns you believe need to be addressed to better walking and biking on and along State Routes near you.

Take the Caltrans ATP Survey

Antioch Safe Streets: The City of Antioch is working to identify potential traffic safety projects. Your input is essential for the development of their Local Roadway Safety Plan. Use the interactive map on the Antioch Safe Streets site to share your concerns regarding traffic and safety.

Report an Area of Concern to Antioch Safe Streets

San Pablo Bicycle & Pedestrian Corridor Study: This is a project to make 10 high-priority streets and paths in the City of San Pablo safer and easier for walking and cycling. Survey respondents can enter their name and email for the chance to win a $50 gift card.

Take the San Pablo Bicycle & Pedestrian Corridor Survey

City of Concord Downtown Corridors Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement Project: Help people get around more easily by bicycle and on foot around Todos Santos Plaza and Concord BART station. The city is looking to update pedestrian curb ramps and pavement striping in those areas and they need your input.

Take the Concord Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement Project Survey

Monument Corridor Study (Pleasant Hill): Help the City of Pleasant Hill improve Monument Blvd. between Contra Costa Blvd. and Mohr Ln. for walking, biking, and transit. Use the interactive map to mark a location you feel needs improvement and describe the issue.

Share Issue Areas on the Monument Corridor Study Map

Presidents’ Day 2021 Transit Service (Monday, Feb. 15)

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On Presidents’ Day (Monday, February 15), some transit agencies will provide regular weekday service while others will run on modified schedules. Below, we’ve collected information on Contra Costa holiday transit service for easy reference.

Click any link below for additional schedule information.

New Transportation Laws for 2021

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With 2021 now upon us, you should be aware of these three new laws affecting motorists:

  • Unattended children in motor vehicles: Exempts a person from civil or criminal liability for trespassing or damaging a vehicle when rescuing a child who is 6 years old or younger in immediate danger from heat, cold, lack of ventilation, or other dangerous circumstances. [Effective Jan. 1, 2021]
  • “Move Over, Slow Down” amendments: The “Move Over, Slow Down” law has been expanded to apply to local streets and roads. Drivers approaching a stationary emergency vehicle displaying emergency lights, including tow trucks and Caltrans vehicles, must move to another lane when possible, or slow to a reasonable speed on all highways, not just freeways. [Effective Jan. 1, 2021]
  • Points for distracted driving: Beginning July 1, violating the hands-free law for a second time within 36 months of a prior conviction for the same offense will result in a point being added to a driving record.

For more information on new driving-related laws taking effect in 2021, click below.

Get More Information on New Laws for 2021

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2021 Transit Service (January 18)

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On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Monday, January 18), some transit agencies will provide regular weekday service while others will run on modified schedules. Below, we’ve collected information on Contra Costa holiday transit service for easy reference.

Click any link below for additional schedule information.

County Connection Service Reductions: Virtual Public Hearings

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Due to reduced ridership from COVID-19, County Connection is currently evaluating cost-cutting measures in order to remain financially viable. They need the public’s help in evaluating their three proposed service reduction options.

People who live in County Connection’s service area are encouraged to attend one of four public hearings scheduled for January 5 and January 8. Attendees can join the meeting for their region by phone or videoconference (Zoom).

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.

For more information on how to comment or attend, click the banner below to visit County Connection’s 2021 Service Plan webpage.

New Year’s Eve 2020 & New Year’s Day 2021 Transit Schedules

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On New Year’s Eve, all transit serving Contra Costa will run on regular weekday schedules with the exception of Wheels. On New Year’s Day (Jan. 1), all transit agencies will be on holiday schedules, except for those providing no service: County Connection, the San Francisco Bay Ferry, SolTrans, and FAST.

Click any link below for additional schedule information.

New Year’s Eve (Thu., December 31)

  • Wheels (LAVTA): Routes 1, 3, 8, 10R, 14, 15, 30R, 53 & 54 on a weekend schedule; no other service
  • All other transit on regular Thursday schedule (WestCAT, SolTrans, FAST, BART, AC Transit, County Connection, Capitol Corridor, Richmond Ferry, Tri Delta Transit. Golden Gate Bus)

New Year’s Day (Fri., January 1)

Veterans Day 2020 Transit Service (Wednesday, Nov. 11)

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On Veterans Day (Wednesday, Nov. 11), most transit agencies serving Contra Costa will run on regular weekday schedules. Tri Delta Transit, WestCAT, SolTrans, and FAST Transit will operate on modified schedules. We’ve collected service information for all transit providers for easy reference.

Click any link for additional information.

Modified/Holiday Service

  • Tri Delta Transit: Routes 392, 393, 394, 395 & 396 on a Sunday schedule
  • WestCAT:
    JX & Lynx – Regular Service
    JL/JR, DAR, Local (11, 19) – Saturday Service
    30Z, JPX, C3 – No Service
  • Fairfield & Suisun Transit:
    Local Routes – Saturday Service
    Blue Line – Saturday Service
    GX Line – No Service
  • Solano Transit: Saturday Service

Regular Weekday Service

Transit Service Changes: Status as of March 26

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For additional information, click the name of any transit agency name to visit their service updates page.
For transit service updates for the larger Bay Area, visit 511.org.

BART: Reduced Service
BART is providing service Monday-Friday from 5am-9pm. Regular weekday train frequency will remain the same. All riders must be in the system by 8:45pm to have a guaranteed ride to their destination. Starting Saturday March 28, Saturday and Sunday service will be from 8am-9pm (currently Saturday service is 6am-midnight and Sunday is 8am-midnight). Current weekend train frequency will remain the same.

AC Transit: Boarding Changes, No Fare Collection
AC Transit has implemented rear-door boarding on buses with multiple doors. Fare payment is not required until further notice. Passengers requiring ADA ramps, utilizing mobility devices or need priority seating may continue to use the front door for boarding. Wheelchair riders may be allowed onboard without securements by bus operators.

County Connection: No Fare Collection
County Connection has temporarily suspended fare collection on all routes including paratransit.

WestCAT: Reduced Service, Boarding Changes, No Fare Collection
WestCAT isn’t collecting fares on any service until further notice and is suspending all mail orders. The JX Route has been suspended. WestCAT Lynx will operate on a holiday schedule only. The Early Bird Express will continue to operate. All passengers able to board & exit through the rear door should do so.

Tri Delta Transit: Boarding Changes, No Fare Collection
Passengers will board fixed-route buses through the rear door unless they require the wheelchair ramp. Additionally, no fares will be collected on any Tri Delta Transit buses.

Richmond Ferry: Suspended Service
The Richmond Ferry will not operate until further notice.

Capitol Corridor: Reduced Service
Train frequency has been reduced to five round trips daily between Sacramento and Oakland, with four of these round trips continuing to San Jose. This schedule will be the same all seven days of the week, meaning no weekend/holiday schedule differences.

Wheels Bus: Reduced Service, Boarding Changes, No Fare Collection
Fare collection has been suspended and passengers without disabilities are to use the rear door for boarding and exiting. Service frequencies have been reduced on Rapid Routes 10R and 30R. Operation of Routes 2, 20X, and 580X has been suspended. Dial-a-Ride Paratransit, Para-taxi and GoDublin are still available.

Altamont Corridor Express: Reduced Service, Ticketing Changes
Until further notice, ACE has suspended Saturday service as well as the ACE 07 and ACE 10, and will be running shorter trains. ACE has suspended in-person ticket sales at the Lathrop/Manteca and Tracy stations and is encouraging passengers to use mobile ticketing when boarding. In-person ticket sales will still be available during mornings at the Pleasanton station.

Golden Gate Transit: Reduced Service
Service adjustments have been made, including the cancellation of some southbound and northbound commute trips until further notice. Additional cancellations may be necessary on a daily basis.

Fairfield and Suisun Transit: Reduced Service, Boarding Changes, No Fare Collection
FAST local service and SolanoExpress commuter service have been reduced. Details of changes are available on FAST’s Service Advisory page. No fares are being collected and passengers are being asked to board and exit through the rear door if able to.

Solano Transit: Reduced Service, Boarding Changes, No Fare Collection
SolTrans Local, SolanoExpress, and Paratransit service are operating on a Saturday service schedule on weekdays until further notice. Passengers should board using the center doors. Those who need assistance from the ramp may board at the front doors. If possible, the use of Token Transit is recommended for easy visual fare adherence boarding (so that money does not need to be handled). SolTrans will not collect fares on Local, SolanoExpress and Paratransit service.

Presidents’ Day 2020 Transit Service (Feb. 17)

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american flagOn Presidents’ Day (Monday, February 17), some Contra Costa transit agencies will offer regular weekday service while others will run on holiday schedules. We’ve collected service information for all transit providers below for easy reference.

Click any link below for additional information.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2020 Transit Service (January 20)

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On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Monday, January 20), some transit agencies will provide regular weekday service while others will run on modified schedules. Below, we’ve collected information on Contra Costa holiday transit service for easy reference.

Click any link below for additional schedule information.