County Connection Raises Express Bus Fees

The County Connection Board of Directors approved a 25-cent increase for riders who use Express buses who now use the monthly East Bay Value Pass, 12-Ride punch pass and the 20-Ride Commuter Card. 

As of Sunday, passengers with discount bus passes will need to drop an additional 25 cents into the fare box when riding the Express bus. If you travel by bus in San Ramon, pack extra quarters for this increase. Express bus routes include 91X, 92X, 93X, 95X, 96X, 97X and 98X.

Public transit agencies, like so many businesses across the globe, are struggling financially to maintain proper levels of service when fund availability is decreasing.  Fares were increased in March of 2009 so we hope that this is enough of an increase to hold off potential increases in the near future. 

I've had the opportunity to take public transportation in San Ramon and personally, it is well worth the increase. Gas prices topple $3.28 on average in the San Ramon area so if you can feasibly take public transportation, it's worth it. 

And in San Ramon, we have it easy – the buses are clean and well maintained and the drivers are always pleasant. I'm coming from my own experience of taking public transportation in Los Angeles, and there is no comparing the two. 

County Connection operates a fleet of fully accessible fixed-route buses and a fleet of 63 paratransit vehicles, serving residents of Central Contra Costa County. For schedule information and specific details, call 925-676-7500 or visit www.cccta.org.

Earlier this week, several bus routes in the County Connection system underwent changes. The new schedules are posted online as well as the BART stations, city offices, libraries, local hospitals and here on San Ramon Patch.

The Student Transit Ticket Program for the 2010-11 school year is full swing. Each student will receive two 12-ride County Connection transit ticket per school year while supplies last. Take advantage of this opportunity by filling out the application below.

Download the application form here: Transit Program Application

The City of San Ramon will no longer sell County Connection monthly passes but will continue to sell the following tickets:

• 12-ride pass
• Disabled senior
• Commuter card
• Summer youth pass