County Connection is bringing Mt. Diablo to their customers. Three of County Connection’s LINKS buses are beautifully wrapped with a photo of Mt. Diablo.
The County Connection LINK paratransit service is an Americans with Disablilities Act (ADA) paratransit service. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) requires all public transit operators to provide special service to persons whose disabilities prevent them from using lift-equipped public transit. The special service, called “paratransit service,” operates at similar times and in similar areas as existing non-commute (off-peak), fixed-route transit.
For more information about County Connection LINK, or if you have any questions, complaints, or comments regarding service, please phone 676-1976.
AT&T’s California Relay Service is available for individuals with hearing/speech impairments: 1-800-735-2929 (TDD) or 1-800-735-2922 (Voice), or you may dial 711.
Tag: County Connection
Crowded Bus? Good News!
County Connection expands service on select routes.
Visit http://cccta.org/some-good-news-for-crowded-buses/; for full details
This Week's Headlines in Transportation and Transit: Dec. 3-9, 2011
Meter-free holidays for shopping in Walnut Creek, taking the B-icicle Challenge, and more!
http://storify.com/511cc/this-week-s-headlines-in-transportation-and-transi-2.js” target=”_blank”>View the story “This Week’s Headlines in Transportation and Transit: Dec. 3-9, 2011” on Storify]
This Week's Headlines in Transportation and Transit: Nov. 26 – Dec. 2, 2011
Caldecott Tunnel workers see light, BART is one step closer to San Jose, local bike shops you should check out. Read our weekly news & events roundup for Contra Costa County, East Bay & Bay Area for transit, biking and transportation.
Holiday tip: skip parking and take the Walnut Creek Broadway Plaza shuttle
Holiday tip #281 from 511CC: Skip parking and take the Walnut Creek Broadway Plaza shuttle
Skip the parking hassles and take advantage of the Walnut Creek Broadway Plaza shuttle provided by County Connection to find that perfect gift or visit Walnut Creek on Ice.
How do I ride?
Take BART to the Walnut Creek station and ride the Walnut Creek shuttle to the Broadway Plaza.
Image credit: jcoterhals
This Week's Headlines in Transportation and Transit: Nov. 5-11, 2011
Our weekly news & events roundup for Contra Costa County, East Bay & Bay Area for transit, biking and transportation.
Back to School means route changes on the County Connection
Bus schedules aren’t set in stone. They can change to accomodate traffic, passenger requests, and even the return of school in the fall.
That’s exactly what happened yesterday on the County Connection. The new schedule went into effect yesterday. Read the summary of changes here, or check out the whole list at the County Connection’s website.
There’s bad news for the 600 route, but great news for Walnut Creek. How is your commute affected? Continue reading “Back to School means route changes on the County Connection”
County Connection Free Ride trolley schedule will be adjusted to run later on Monday-Friday evenings
Concord, Calif. – Beginning next Monday, August 22nd the County Connection’s Free Ride trolley schedule will be adjusted to run later on Monday-Friday evenings. The trolley runs between the Walnut Creek BART station, the downtown shopping district, and the Broadway Plaza. And, as the name implies – it’s free to the riders.
Service will be less frequent in the early morning hours before the shops open when there are fewer riders. Then, starting at 8:25 AM and continuing until 6:55 PM, the trolley will run every 15 minutes. There will be four trips after 6:55, which will run on 35 minute intervals. The last trolley will leave Walnut Creek BART at 9:15 PM, and the last trolley will leave the fountain in Broadway Plaza at 9:30 PM.
County Connection Board Member and Walnut Creek Mayor Pro Tem Bob Simmons comments:
This ‘feathering’ of service hours allows the City to gain the four evening trips without additional cost. This gives shoppers, employees, diners and residents extra time to enjoy all that downtown Walnut Creek has to offer. I wish to thank County Connection and our City staff for coming up with such a creative approach to extend this important service without additional cost.
In addition to the Walnut Creek Free Ride Trolley, County Connection provides fixed route and paratransit service throughout central Contra Costa County. For information on its other transit services, please call County Connection Customer Service 676-7500 or visit cccta.org.
LINK Paratransit
Have you heard of paratransit?
Paratransit is an on-call system for anyone with a disability who can’t comfortably use fixed route services. The County Connection runs its own paratransit service – the LINK.
The American Disabilities Act requires all public transit system that provide fixed route bus and rail services to also provide paratransit. County Connection is no different.
Once you’re eligible, you can get a one-way ride door-to-door for $4, as long as the start and end of the trip end within 1.5 miles of a bus stop or train station.
To arrange a ride, you may call up to two days in advance, but at least one day before your ride is needed, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., seven days a week, and holidays. The bus will arrive within 15 minutes of your arranged time.
A personal care attendant may accompany a passenger free of charge if your eligibility determination states that you need one. An escort or guest may accompany a passenger and ride at the same fare as the passenger, provided that the attendant, escort, or guest is picked up and dropped off at the same point as the passenger, and there is room on the van.
Click here for more information, or call one of the lines below:
LINK Reservations: 938-RIDE (938-7433)
1-800-735-2929 (TDD), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice)
LINK Cancellations: 943-1829
LINK (after hours): 943-1829
LINK Applications: 680-2066 -or- 680-2067
Questions and Comments 680-2045
The County Connection also offers a “How to Ride the Bus” training for individuals who would like assistance with planning or actually taking a fixed-route bus trip. Call 680-2066 or 680-2067 to get started.
Meet the East Bay Value Pass
Contra Costa County has three great bus services, but sometimes your day takes you beyond the service area of just one.
If you live in the County Connection territory but need to get to Rodeo, served by WestCAT, you have to make a transfer. Already these agencies do their best to make transfers line up for a hassle-free connection.
With a new unlimited inter-agency pass, traveling between WestCat, Wheels, Tri Delta Transit, and The County Connection just got easier.
For $60, the new East Bay Value pass will let you ride any bus on WestCat, Wheels, Tri Delta Transit, and the County Connection’s fixed routes as many times as you want within one calendar month.
That includes Tri Delta Transit’s express 300 bus!
Where do these buses go? Well, check out these main transfer stations, or use 511’s Trip Planner to get started.
Hillcrest Park ‘n’ Ride, Antioch
The County Connection, Tri Delta Transit
Martinez Amtrak
The County Connection, Tri Delta Transit, WestCAT
Concord BART
The County Connection, Tri Delta Transit
Pleasant Hill BART
The County Connection, Wheels
Walnut Creek BART
The County Connection, Wheels
Dublin/Pleasanton BART
The County Connection, Wheels, Tri Delta Transit
ACE Station, Pleasanton
The County Connection, Wheels
2010 Holiday Transit Schedule Changes
Many services will be running special holiday schedules while others will be implementing permanent changes beginning in January and late December. Here’s some info about what changes you can expect to see over the next few weeks.
BART:
- Will run longer midday trains on Christmas Eve (December 24). A normal weekday schedule will operate on Christmas Eve
- Will run Sunday/Holiday timetable on Christmas Day (December 25)
- Modified peak schedule on Pittsubrg/Bay Point Line between Christmas and New Year’s
- Extended hours- until 3am- on New Year’s Eve (December 31)
- Will run Sunday/Holiday timetable on New Year’s Day (January 1)
- On December 24, all AC Transit local and transbay lines, except supplementary lines and trips, will operate on regular schedules
- On Christmas Day, all AC Transit local and transbay lines will operate on Sunday schedules. Except for lines 800 and 801, the Saturday and Sunday schedules are the same
- Catch the Holiday Bus between now and December 31st for a free ride
- After December 31st, AC Transit will no longer accept paper tickets as fare payments for Local Adult 31-Day, Local Adult 10-Ride, or Local Youth/Senior/Disabled 10-Ride tickets
- Will run on a modified Saturday schedule on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. There will be two limited-stop trains in the morning and afternoon
- Caltrain will operate a Sunday schedule on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day
- On New Year’s Eve, Caltrain will offer free rides after 11pm to encourage New Year’s Eve partygoers to use the train as their designated driver. It will also add four extra post-midnight, southbound trains to its regular holiday schedule, January 1
- Buses will not operate on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day
- The rt. 4 free ride trolley will run extended hours until December 23 and again between December 26-December 31. There will be no extended service on December 24th and no service on Christmas Day
- A series of schedule changes will go into effect starting December 26th. Visit the ccta website for further information
- An express bus fare collection change will go into effect January 1st.
- The WestCAT office will be closed Friday, December 24th. It will operate regular weekday service on the JR/JL, 30Z, JPX, JX, and the LUNX. Dial=A=Ride and the Local Fixed Route buses will end service at approximately 7pm and the C3 will not operate
- Limited Sunday service on the Rout J will run on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day
- The Delta Express, Dimes-a-Ride, and the following routes will not operate on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or New Year’s Day: 200, 201, 300, 380, 383, 384, 385, 386, 387, 388, 389, 390, and 391
- Routes 392, 393, and 394 will operate Sunday schedules on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day
- The Intercity Rail will offer a Sunday/Holiday service for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day
For more holiday transit information, visit 511.org.
Image by amtrak_russ
This Week’s Headlines in Transportation & Transit: Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2010
Upcoming Events & Meetings
- Weds. 12/3: County Connection routes 16 & 98X will detour shortly for Martinez holiday parade
- Mon. 12/6 – Weds. 12/8, 9:30 PM – 4:30 AM: Caldecott Bore #1 will be closed
Local News (Contra Costa County & East Bay)
- Keep your bike safe with these tips and resources from 511CC
- Data from the city of Pittsburg: Using freeway routes can save up to an average of nine minutes over local streets
Bay Area & California News
- Wrecking ball hits Transbay Terminal
- BART gives free tickets to 60,000 commuters to use on weekends for holiday shopping
- First Spare the Air Day of the Winter Season called for Bay Area
- Great article on Eric Fischer, our favorite Flickr user and urban planning/modern day historian
- Rail projects are among those benefiting from a rapid allocation of stimulus funds
- BART to add 500 additional airport/long-term parking spaces 12/17 – 01/03
Other Biking & Transit News
Free Ride Trolley In Walnut Creek Extends Service Hours During Holidays
Concord, Calif. – County Connection Route 4, The Free Ride Trolley, will operate later in the evening between Walnut Creek BART, downtown Walnut Creek, and the Broadway Plaza, during the busy holiday shopping season. The later service is subsidized by Macerich, owners of Broadway Plaza.
Late evening service will be as follows:
- Sundays throughout season – no extended service
- Nov. 26-Dec. 11 – Last bus leaves the Broadway Plaza at 10:00 PM
- Dec. 12-Dec. 23 – Last bus leaves the Broadway Plaza at 11:00 PM
- Dec. 26-Dec. 31 – Last bus leaves the Broadway Plaza at 10:00 PM
- There will be no extended service on December 24th and no service on December 25
“We’re very grateful that Macerich will again fund the extended hours of service,” said Bob Simmons, County Connection Board of Directors representative from Walnut Creek. “This is a win-win for both shoppers and businesses in the area. The Free Ride Trolley provides a convenient way to move throughout the entire downtown area during the busy holiday season.”
For detailed schedule information, please visit County Connection’s website, cccta.org, or call Customer Service at 676-7500.
Shadelands Transportation Event-A Huge Success
511 Contra Costa hosted a Transportation Event for employees of the Shadelands Business Park last Thursday. The goal of the event was to reach out to all employees within the Shadelands Business Park to promote the various commute options available to them. Nine vendors helped make the event a success. The vendors included 511 Rideshare, Green Wheelin Scooters, BART, County Connection, East Bay Parks, Bay Area Air Quality Management District, Save Mount Diablo, Clipper, and the event organizer 511 Contra Costa. Cupcakes were provided by Kara’s Cupcakes. Council Member Cindy Silva made a brief speech at the event and announced the winner of the certificate for a new bicycle at a local retailer. The Shadelands Transportation Fair was a huge success!
County Connection Route 4/Free Ride Trolley Detour on Saturday, July 17th
The Route 4 – Free Ride Trolley – will detour in the Northbound direction on Saturday, July 17 to serve the opening festivities at the new Walnut Creek library.
- Traveling from the Broadway Plaza, from North Main St., the bus will turn right on Cypress, and left on Broadway to stop in front of the library.
- The bus will then cross Civic Dr. and turn left on Carlback to Main St. and resume the regular route.
- Stops at Main at Bonanza and Main at Civic will not be served in the Northbound direction on Saturday only.
For route and schedule information, call 676-7500 or visit www.cccta.org
County Connection Bus Schedule Changes Effective June 13, 2010
Concord, Calif. – County Connection will make changes to two bus routes that affect both arrival and departure time points. Schedules have been re-written for Bus Route 28 – which operates on weekdays between the North Concord BART station and Martinez Amtrak, and Bus Route 316 – which operates on weekends between Pleasant Hill BART and Martinez Amtrak.
Additionally, the only routes in County Connection’s 600 series of select services that will operate throughout the summer months are Route 627 and Route 649. Both these routes remain unchanged.
For immediate information, please call Customer Service at 676-7500 or visit www.cccta.org.
County Connection determines CO2 Emissions reduced in April by riders
Concord, Calif. – County Connection bus passengers eliminated 20,582 pounds of carbon dioxide from the environment each weekday in April by using the bus instead of driving a car. Carbon dioxide emission reductions are determined using the average weekday ridership and average trip length, then factoring out those who would have driven a car if the bus was not available. To learn about bus service in your neighborhood, call 676-7500 or visit www.cccta.org.
Source: County Connection news release – County Connection CO2 Emissions Reduced In April, May 27, 2010
This Week’s Headlines in Transportation & Transit: Apr. 24-30, 2010
Upcoming Events & Meetings
- Sunday May 2, 2010 – Ride the historic Niles Canyon Railway
- Monday May 3, 2010 – San Ramon Valley Transportation Summit 2010, register to win an iPod touch
- Thursday May 13, 2010 – Bike to Work Day
For more events, visit https://511contracosta.org/events/
Local News (Contra Costa County & East Bay)
- Expect traffic delays on Vasco Rd. in South Contra Costa County beginning this month
- Bishop Ranch celebrates its 3 millionth commuter
- Louis Sandoval selected as Contra Costa County’s Bicycle Commuter of the Year for 2010
- 511 Contra Costa kicks off 2010 Bicycle Commuter Assistance Program
- Read and listen to the KCBS report for this weekend’s unveiling of the County Connection’s new hybrid buses in Walnut Creek
- Livermore City Council to decide where future BART stations will be built
- Freeway ramps between Highway 4 and Eastbound I-80 close on Monday, Apr. 26
Bay Area & California News
- CA bill crafted by Dave Jones of Sacramento offers twist to expand car sharing
- Santa Cruz County air is among the cleanest in the nation
- AC Transit eyes more service cuts
- Construction progresses on BART Warm Springs Extension project
- New scheduling updates expected in TransLink’s transition to Clipper card
- Register your team for Bay Area Bicycle Coalition’s Bike to Work Day Team Bike Challenge by May 6
Extra, extra, read all about it!
Follow 511CC on Twitter or Like us on Facebook to receive additional updates and get the scoop on ongoing 511CC promotions. In the past, we’ve given away free coffee to bikers, free sunscreen, free BART tickets, half-off transit passes and more.
In addition, we choose one lucky Twitter follower and one Facebook fan to receive a $25 to Peet’s every month. Every month! That means you have multiple chances to win $25 in free cups of coffee, hot chocolate, lattes, mochas, iced teas, those always-enticing baked goods on display, or whatever your sweet heart desires.
This Week's Headlines in Transportation & Transit: Apr. 17-23, 2010
What’s the haps on transit news in and around Contra Costa County? Every Friday, we’ve got you covered with the most important news, both on and under the radar. Just click on each link for more deets.
Upcoming Events & Meetings
- Saturday April 24, 2010 – Test ride the County Connection NEW hybrid electric buses
- Monday May 3, 2010 – San Ramon Valley Transportation Summit 2010
- Thursday May 13, 2010 – Bike to Work Day
- Ongoing through October, 2010 – Ride the historic Niles Canyon Railway
Local News (Contra Costa County & East Bay)
- Oakland endorses rapid bus route along 17-mile route
- 511 Contra Costa celebrates John Muir’s 172nd birthday in Martinez, CA
- Residents not convinced plan will fix traffic woes along busy Richmond-El Cerrito corridor
- We updated our page on the Benicia-Martinez bike/ped path with photos
- Congressman John Garamendi requests millions in funding for Contra Costa County projects, including $40 million for Highway 4, $10 million for I-580, $2 million for the Dixon Train Station/Parkway Boulevard Overcrossing and more
Bay Area & California News
This Week's Headlines in Transportation & Transit: Apr. 10-16, 2010
Upcoming Events & Meetings
- Saturday April 24, 2010 – Test ride the County Connection new hybrid electric buses
- Monday May 3, 2010 – San Ramon Valley Transportation Summit 2010
- Thursday April 22, 2010 – AC Transit and BART Public Hearings for Paratransit Fare Changes
- Thursday April 22, 2010 – City of Martinez will unveil three new electric vehicle charging stations
Local News (Contra Costa County & East Bay)
- Closure of freeway ramps between Highway 4 and eastbound I-80 delayed to Apr. 26th
- Overnight closures to Highway 4 on-ramp in Pittsburg anticipated for the next 2 weeks
- Annual Benicia Town Race is cancelled
- City of Martinez becomes 5th Bay Area city to install electric vehicle charging stations
- No fare increase for Tri Delta Transit riders
- County Connection introduces first hybrid electric buses
- Bike to Work Day is coming up! Are you ready?
Bay Area & California News
- BART Interim Chief of Police temporarily suspends use of Tasers while police receive more training
- New payment card to replace Translink will debut this June
- High-speed rail to end at Transbay Terminal
- Golden Gate district looks at eliminating toll-takers to save money
County Connection Introduces First Hybrid Electric Buses
Concord, Calif. – On Saturday, April 24th Contra Costa residents can get a sneak peak at County Connection’s first hybrid electric buses before they officially go into service. County Connection will host an Earth Day event from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Heather Farm Park in Walnut Creek. The public is invited to take a free “test ride” on the new bus that will travel between Walnut Creek BART and Heather Farm Park throughout the duration of the Earth Day event on Saturday, to experience first hand the smooth, quiet ride of the new hybrid electric buses. Continue reading “County Connection Introduces First Hybrid Electric Buses”
This week's headlines in transportation & transit: Mar. 13-19, 2010
Local News
- Caltrans director Randy Iwasaki to become chief of Contra Costa Transportation Authority
- The County Connection to change several schedules beginning this Sunday, Mar. 21, 2010
- BART track closures between Walnut Creek & Pleasant Hill scheduled for March 26-28, 2010
- New massive freeway project is likely to slow down traffic coming off Richmond-San Rafael Bridge
Bay Area & California News
- $3.7 million in rebates announced for consumers looking to buy alternative fuel cars, trucks & motorcycles
- Rare break in BART equipment results in train uncoupling and systemwide delays
- NYT article on biking 250 miles of the Bay Trail in 5 days
- BART to offer live, streaming webcasts of its board meetings starting in April
Did you know 511CC’s on Twitter? To receive these headlines, 511CC promotions, and more, follow @511CC.
The County Connection to change several bus schedules beginning Sunday March 21, 2010
Starting this Sunday, March 21, The County Connection will change the following bus routes:
WEEKDAY SERVICE CHANGES
- Route 21 – Walnut Creek BART to San Ramon Transit Center All southbound trips adjust to leave time a few minutes EARLIER.
- Route 649 – New service added to Route 19 schedule The new route deviation will operate between DVC and Concord BART via the ITT Technical Institute, making two evening trips only.
- Route 605 – Civic/Ygnacio Valley Rd. and Creekside Dr. All morning trips adjust to leave 10 minutes EARLIER – school days.
- Route 639 – Amtrak to DVC via Pacheco Blvd. The new route will operate 2 afternoon trips – school days only.
WEEKEND SERVICE CHANGES
- Route 316 – Martinez/Amtrak/Pleasant Hill BART. All trips in both directions have been adjusted.
Most of the changes are made to improve schedule adherence, BART and bus connections, and to address overcrowding on several bus routes. New schedules are posted on the agency website, www.cccta.org, and will be available at BART stations, City Offices, libraries, and hospitals this week.
For detailed route and schedule information, please call 925-676-7500 or visit www.cccta.org.
This Week’s Headlines in Transportation & Transit: Feb. 27 – Mar. 5, 2010
Local News
- Public hearing on March 18, 2010 at 9 AM on The County Connection 10-Year Short Range Transit Plan
- The City of Richmond solicits feedback via a survey on motorist, pedestrian, cyclist, & transit user safety
- BART’s Central Contra Costa Crossover Project will cause delays of up to 15 min. on weekends for BART riders traveling on trains bound for Pittsburg/Bay Point
- Great news for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians: 1,000-acre public space (Hidden Valley Open Space) opens in San Ramon Dougherty Valley with 10 miles of dirt trails
Bay Area and California News
- Spare the Air wood burning ban lifted on February 28, 2010 for end of 2009-2010 winter season
- Polluted air over California costs almost $200 million per year in hospital expenses
- Capitol Corridor trains to operate on normal service beginning March 1, 2010
- Stanford students show off solar-powered car that gets 1,400 mpg & speeds up to 70 mph
For these headlines, transit promos and more, follow 511 Contra Costa on Twitter!
