County Connection published a Spanish-language transit guide on Friday, July 31, for young riders ages 6 to 18 and their families, timed to the last day of the agency's free summer rides and the start of the 2026-27 school year.
The guide, titled "Guía de transporte público para jóvenes: Tránsito 101," walks Spanish-speaking families through fares, school bus routes, schedule reading, and frequently asked questions. It's available on County Connection's website.
The resource lands as families shift from free summer service to paid rides. County Connection's Youth Ride Free program, which ran June 1 through July 31, required no application or ID. In 2025, the agency recorded more than 25,000 free rides over two months, a 1,600% increase over prior summers.
What it costs starting Aug. 1
Two discount programs can cut school-year fares:
Pass2Class offers free unlimited rides on County Connection buses at the start of the school year. Passes are limited and require an application through 511 CCTA's Spanish-language page. Passes activate Saturday, Aug. 1.
Youth Clipper cards give riders ages 5 to 18 a 50% discount year-round across Bay Area transit. With a Youth Clipper card, a County Connection ride costs $1.00 and includes transfers. Without one, the cash fare is $2.50 (exact change only), with no transfers included. Cards can be obtained same-day at County Connection's Concord office, 2477 Arnold Industrial Way, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The two programs are separate. A Pass2Class pass does not include a Clipper card.
School bus routes
According to the guide, County Connection's 600-series school buses serve Walnut Creek Elementary School District campuses and Las Lomas High School (also served by Routes 4, 5, and 21). The 600-series runs on school days only, timed to bell schedules, with one trip per bus per day. Several routes operate afternoons only.
The 600-series buses are not free.
If a student misses the school bus, a fixed-route bus may serve the school but could mean a wait of up to an hour.
Why it matters locally
The Walnut Creek Elementary School District enrolled 3,721 students in 2025-26, with 428 classified as English Language Learners, according to California Department of Education data. That's about 11.5% of enrollment. As we reported July 27, County Connection released an English-language version of its youth rider guide earlier in the month.
The guide recommends Google Maps or the Transit app for real-time bus arrival information. Families with questions can call County Connection at (925) 676-7500, Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., or email [email protected].
Upcoming
- Saturday, Aug. 1: Pass2Class passes activate for the 2026-27 school year.
- School year start: 600-series school buses resume service once classes begin.
