- AT&T Relay Service
- Attendants
- Boarding In A Wheelchair
- Bus Identification Kits
- Cash Fares
- County Connection RTC Hours
- Current Pass Prices
- Discount Bus Passes
- Disembarking
- Fare Payment
- Fixed Route Bus Service
- Low Floor Coaches
- Passenger Lifts And Ramps
- Priority Seating
- Regional Transit Connection Discount Card Program
- Senior/Disabled/Medicare Fares*
- Service Animals
- Training Programs
- Wheelchair Size and Securement
AT&T Relay Service
AT&T’s California Relay Service is available for individuals with hearing/speech impairments.
- TDD users: 1-800-735-2929
- Voice: 1-800-735-2922
- or 711
Attendants
Attendants may accompany passengers with disabilities on transit trips. Attendants are entitled to pay the same discount fare as the passenger when passengers have a Regional Transit Connection Discount Card with an attendant symbol indicating that an attendant is necessary for use of public transit.
Boarding In A Wheelchair
All County Connection buses have either passenger lifts or ramps. You are encouraged to have functioning brakes on your wheelchair and wear a lap/seat belt. Wheelchair foot rests should be set at a minimum of four inches to ensure clearance once inside a vehicle and to avoid ground contact upon departure.
Bus Identification Kits
Bus I.D. kits are small, tri-fold signs that display bus route and destination information. These kits are useful for riders with visual, hearing, or speech communication disabilities.
The mini-signs alert the bus driver and encourage other sighted passengers to let the rider know when the correct bus is approaching the stop. This is especially important at BART stations and other multi-route stops.
The kits are available in Braille or low- vision styles. The bus identification kits are distributed free of charge to County Connection passengers. Contact Accessible Services at 676-1976 ext. 2066 or 2067 for more information.
Cash Fares
| Adult/Youth (6-18) | $2.00 |
| Children (under 6, accompanied by an adult) | Free |
| Express Bus Service | $2.25 |
| Transfer BART to Bus | $1.00 |
| Transfer Bus to Bus | Free |
County Connection RTC Hours
The Regional Transit Connection Discount Card brochure and application may be obtained in person from the County Connection Headquarters, 2477 Arnold Industrial Way, Concord 94520. Applications for discount cards may also be obtained through the mail by calling 676-7500. Applications are taken in person at County Connection Headquarters on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 1:30 and 4:00 pm.
Current Pass Prices
| Seniors/Disabled/Medicare* | |
| 20-Ride Punch Card | $15.00 |
| Adult/Youth | |
| Monthly Pass** | $60.00 |
| 12-Ride Punch Card | $20.00 |
| Commuter Card | $40.00 |
**The East Bay Value Pass is a monthly bus pass accepted on all County Connection, Tri Delta, Wheels and WestCAT fixed-route buses.
All pass sales are final. No refunds or credits will be given towards the purchase of a new bus pass. Discount bus passes can be purchased at one of our many sales outlets, by mail, or online at www.cccta.org. For more information call 676-7500.
Discount Bus Passes
All County Connection punch passes are non-expiring except in the instance of a fare increase. When fares are increased, pass holders are given a generous grace period to use existing bus passes.
Disembarking
During your trip, be sure to listen for your stop to be announced. As the bus approaches your stop, push the buzzer bar or pull the cord to alert the bus operator that you wish to disembark. Please remain in your seat/seating area until the bus has come to a complete stop. Do not release any securements until the bus is fully stopped.
*Please note-The County Connection has a policy requiring securement. You must agree to have your mobility device secured in order to ride.
Fare Payment
Bus operators are not allowed to handle money. Please deposit the exact cash fare in the farebox at the front of the bus. If you would like a transfer, please request the transfer after paying the fare and before leaving the front of the bus.
Fixed-Route Bus Service
All County Connection buses have either a passenger lift or ramp. The County Connection’s regularly scheduled, fixed-route bus service can be just as convenient for disabled and senior patrons as our dial-a-ride LINK service. Lower fares and expanded times of operation make fixed-route bus service a valuable alternative for many customers. Of course, we are aware that many dial-a-ride LINK riders may be unable to use fixed-route bus service. However, if you are able, and live close to a bus stop, this service may be just the ticket!
Low Floor Coaches
County Connection operates low floor coaches as part of its fleet of accessible vehicles. Low floor coaches enable ambulatory passengers to board at curb level without the need to step up to enter the coach. Wheelchair users may board via a ramp.
Passenger Lifts And Ramps
All County Connection buses have either passenger lifts or ramps. Passenger lifts have a platform that rises from the street up to the top of the stairwell, providing level boarding to passengers with mobility impairments. Passenger lifts and ramps are for anyone who has a condition that makes them unable to use the stairs to enter the bus, including persons using wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, or other mobility aids, and those with less visible disabilities such as arthritis, heart ailments, or breathing impairments. Inform the bus operator if you need to use the lift or ramp.
To Use A Passenger Lift Or Ramp:
- Make sure you are visible to the driver as the bus approaches.
- Allow enough room for the lift or ramp to be lowered. Make sure to stay back from the curb about four feet.
- When you are ready, the driver will lower the lift or deploy the ramp.
- Ambulatory passengers using the lift should stand on the lift facing the inside of the bus, hold onto the handrails, indicate that they are ready to be raised, and lower their heads through the doorway as the lift rises.
- Wheelchair users board the lift platform facing either forward or backward (turning space inside the vehicle is limited), set brakes, grasp the handrails, and then indicate to the bus operator they are ready to be raised.
Priority Seating
Certain seats on the bus are designated as priority seating for passengers with disabilities and seniors. The bus operator may ask an ambulatory passenger occupying priority seating to move if a passenger with disabilities or a senior boards. However, ambulatory passengers are not required to relocate to another seat.
Regional Transit Connection Discount Card Program
The County Connection participates in the Regional Transit Discount Card Program which allows senior citizens, people with disabilities, and certain veterans to ride at reduced fares on all Bay Area transportation systems. The Bay Area Partnership Transit Coordination Committee (PTCC), administers the Discount Card Program.
The PTCC comprises the following agencies: AC Transit, BART, CalTrans, CCCTA, GGBHTD, LAVTA, MTC, Santa Rosa, S.F. Muni, SamTrans, VTA, and Vallejo. Individuals with disabilities who are applying for the RTC Discount Card and do not have a valid Medicare card or DMV placard identification card must secure a physician’s certificate of disability.
Applications are accepted at all San Francisco Bay Area transit agency locations and then forwarded to a central office where applications are reviewed, information is verified, and a determination of eligibility is made. Eligible applicants will be mailed their RTC photo ID card within 21 days.
Upon receiving your Discount ID Card, you are immediately eligible for reduced fares on all participating public transit systems. No additional proof of eligibility is required, but you must show the Discount ID Card at the time you pay the fare.
The non-refundable fee for a new Regional Transit Discount Card is $3.00. The fee for the replacement of a lost card is $5.00.
If you require assistance beyond the program hours of administration of your local transit operator, please call the Discount ID Card Program Office at (510) 208-0200.
Senior/Disabled/Medicare Fares*
| Cash Fare | $1.00 |
| BART to Bus transfers | $.50 |
| Bus-to-Bus Transfer | Free |
*You may obtain a discount fare when boarding a County Connection bus by presenting a valid Medicare card (not Medi-Cal), an RTC Discount Card, a DMV placard identification card or a valid transit discount card from another California transit agency. Persons age 65 and over may simply present any ID with a birth date.
Service Animals
Service animals utilized for mobility assistance are welcome on County Connection buses. The following regulations must be followed:
- Service animal owners are required to pay a full fare except when presenting a Regional Transit Connection Discount Card, Medicare Card, DMV placard identification card, or a valid transit discount card from another California transit agency.
- Owners are not required to pay a fare for the service animal.
- Owners must have full control of their service animals and are liable according to the law.
- Guide dogs, hearing dogs, and service dogs are not required to be muzzled.
- There is no limit to the number of passengers on a bus who are accompanied by service animals.
Training Programs
The County Connection offers training for individuals who wish to learn how to use our fixed-route buses tailored to the needs of the individual. Training may include accessing schedule and route information and practice sessions for those unfamiliar with the passenger lifts, ramps and securement equipment. Practice boarding sessions can assist in making your trip on the County Connection safer and more comfortable. Call 676-1976 ext. 2066 or 2076 for more information or to schedule a training session.
Wheelchair Size
ADA standards require that passenger lifts accommodate wheelchairs measuring up to 30 inches wide by 48 inches long, at a level of two inches above the ground, and weighing no more than 600 pounds when occupied. County Connection buses may not be able to accommodate wheelchairs exceeding these standards.
*Wheelchair Securement
- Back into the wheelchair securement area.
- Bus operator must apply the four-point wheelchair securement.
- Operator will secure the lap belt and shoulder harness, unless passenger requests that the lap/shoulder harness not be secured.
If requested, the bus operator will provide assistance during boarding and securement.
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