changes | 511 Contra Costa

BART Welcomes Returning Riders with a Variety of Improvements

More and more people are returning to BART, with a host of improvements waiting for them when they get back on board.

Riders returning to BART will enjoy a variety of improvements made as part of BART’s Welcome Back Plan. Some of these will be easy to spot, but many of them – like air filters dense enough to remove virus particles – are behind-the-scenes changes which make travel by BART safer or more convenient.

One of the most important changes from the last year is BART’s return to near-regular service. Monday through Saturday, BART is back to pre-pandemic service frequency with trains running until midnight. They have also added new trips on Saturdays to reduce wait times. Currently, BART closes at 9pm on Sundays, but a midnight closure will return on February 20.

Here are some other changes which benefit BART riders:

  • The air in BART cars is replaced every 70 seconds and cleaned with upgraded air filters.
  • iPhone and Android users can now use their phone or Apple Watch at the fare gates to pay for BART. Riders can immediately load funds to their Clipper card when using Clipper on their phone.
  • An increased number of safety staff, including BART Ambassadors and BART Police, are monitoring activity on trains and handing out masks to anyone not already wearing one. In case of emergency, riders can now text BART Police at 510-200-0992, call them at 510-464-7000, or report an issue using the free BART Watch app.
  • Many BART parking lots have available spaces, and riders can pay daily parking fees with the official BART app.
  • While bikes are allowed on all BART trains, you can also Secure Your Cycle at the BART station in an electronic bike locker with a free BikeLink card from 511 Contra Costa.
  • BART service was extended into Santa Clara County with the opening of two new stations: Berryessa/North San Jose and Milpitas.
  • BART is upgrading and reopening restrooms that have been closed at some stations.

For information on BART schedules, parking, or improvements, visit the BART website.

If you’re thinking of getting back on BART, you might be eligible for $50 in Clipper funds. Pledge to ride BART at least one day a week in place of a drive-alone trip and you could be eligible for the Jumpstart Your BART incentive. Learn more.

Transit Service Restoration & Schedule Changes

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 TransitAugust 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 TransitAugust 28 – Schedule change, routes will not be affected.

Upcoming Service Changes: County Connection, AC Transit, Wheels, SolTrans (Aug. 2015)

County Connection, AC Transit, SolTrans & Wheels (LAVTA) have all announced upcoming service changes. Here’s what you need to know:
Agency: County Connection
Changes Take Effect: August 16
Full Details: http://www.countyconnection.com
Digest:

  • Route 1M – New Service: Service to the Marchbanks neighborhood is being restored between WC BART, John Muir Medical Center and Marchbanks
  • Route 3 – New Martinez Community Shuttle: New route will serve Amtrak, CC Regional Medical Center, Adult Education Serivces, Kaiser, Arnold Dr, and the Senior Center
  • Route 19: Alignment changes to serve Sun Valley Mall and Diamond Blvd
  • Route 310: Two AM and two PM trips added between Concord BART and Clayton/Kirker
  • Route 314: Trip added leaving DVC at 6:10pm
  • 600 Series: Changes to the 611, 613, 616, and 619 school day service

Agency: AC Transit
Changes Take Effect: August 23
Full Details: http://www.actransit.org
Digest:

  • Line 800 will operate more frequently on Friday night/Saturday morning and Saturday night/Sunday morning, with service every 20 minutes from 12:30am–6:30am On Sunday mornings, buses will operate every 30 minutes from 6:30am–7:30am
  • Line 76: Two new trips added heading toward El Cerrito del Norte BART on weekdays, leaving Hilltop Mall at 7:13am and 2:24pm
  • Minor schedule changes to Line 72R and G

WHEELSAgency: Wheels (LAVTA)
Changes Take Effect: August 22
Full Details: http://www.wheelsbus.com
Digest:

  • Route 70X has been modified to bypass Walnut Creek in the non-commute direction, operating directly from Dublin to Pleasant Hill in the AM and directly from Pleasant Hill to Dublin in the PM
  • Route 12/12X: Certain trips of the 12X and trips that begin at the Airway Park-n-Ride have been re-arranged within the schedule
  • Route 54: The 5:36am trip is to be discontinued
  • Route 503: The PM schedule has been re-arranged to accommodate Wells Middle School and Dublin High School with separate trips; the previously operated 5:30pm trip has been moved to 5:00pm in order to accommodate the after-school program at Dublin High School
  • Route 501: A second, later departure has been added in the PM to accommodate the after-school program at Dublin High School
  • Schedule changes to Route 3, 10, 12, 54, 70X, 501, 502, 503, 603, 607, 609, and 610

Agency: SolTrans
Changes Take Effect: August 15
Full Details: http://www.soltransride.com
Digest:

  • Minor adjustments to printed schedules for Route 80 & 80s (1-2 minutes) to accurately reflect travel time

Schedule & Services Changes: County Connection, Wheels, Tri Delta Transit (Feb. 2015)

WHEELSWheels (LAVTA) – The Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority is making minor changes to several of its regular and school-focused bus routes effective Saturday, February 21:

  • Route 2 – The afternoon schedule has been modified to improve timings for Fallon Middle School students; trips now depart E Dublin BART at 30 minutes past each hour instead of at the hour.
  • Route 9 – Trips that previously operated as Route 70X now operate as Route 9 in the Hacienda Business Park. The Inglewood/Chabot loop has been discontinued.
  • Route 10 – The morning starting time of service has been modified; westbound service now begins
    approximately 30 minutes later, while eastbound service starts approximately 30 minutes earlier than in the
    previous schedule.
  • Route 11 – The previous 5:57am trip has been discontinued, and a new 8:12am trip added to the morning service. In the afternoon, all trips now depart the Transit Center 15 minutes later compared to the previous schedule.
  • Route 70X – See notation for Route 9 above; passengers will continue to be able to travel between the Walnut Creek and Hacienda areas and vice versa without the need to transfer buses.
  • Route 605 – The route has been extended to Martin Avenue, and now operates the segment similar to Route 608.
  • Minor timing adjustments have been made to the schedules of routes 10, 12, 15, and Rapid.

Click here to see the full press release.
Tri Delta TransitTri Delta Transit – Tri Delta Transit will have a new schedule taking effect on Sunday, March 8. The new schedule will include:

  • Time Changes: Routes 201, 300, 380, 385, 387, 388, 391
  • NEW morning run on Route 385 EB. Service for Liberty High School Students

New Year's Hours and Services for Transit Agencies Serving Contra Costa County


Photo by: Steven Perry
Hope everyone had a fantastic holiday! Here is a guide to  your local transit agencies New Year’s schedule.  Have a safe and Happy New Year! 
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31st, 2011
SUNDAY, JANUARY 1st, 2012
MONDAY, JANUARY 2nd, 2012