Route 8 - Monument Community Shuttle
Rider's Guide

What is a "Flex Route"? A flex route is a route that has specific time points, but that can go "off route" between those time points in order to pick up people at their homes. A flex route uses designated stops (with a bus stop sign) and "flag stops", in addition to more personalized door-to-door service. A "flag stop" is a designated zone where there are no bus stop signs where a passenger simply waves to the driver, and the driver will stop at the nearest safe location.

What areas will be available for the "flex route?" Anywhere within the Monument neighborhood, the bus can "flex" for service. This includes the neighborhoods between Willow Pass Road and Market Street, the areas between Meadow Lane and Market Street, along San Miguel Road between Homewood and Brookdale, and the "Fruit Basket" neighborhood. The route will NOT flex to destinations outside of the neighborhood. This means that, while the bus may pick you up at your home, it will not deliver you to any destination outside of the designated route except to the areas within the Monument neighborhoods. The two exceptions are that buses can deliver you directly to the Safeway Store on Monument, and to the Concord Police Station on Galindo. Please see the area map for more information about flex areas. County Connection reserves the right to limit the number of flex trips to assure that connections with Route 980 at the Sun Valley Mall will not be compromised.

Where are the bus stops for Route 8? All bus stops for Route 8 will be identified by a bus stop sign, except for stops on Sunshine Drive and Peach Place. In these locations, you can flag the bus down to stop anywhere along the street where it is safe. Please see the area map for the "flag stop" zones.

What will the fare be? All riders (except for children five and under accompanied by an adult - two per adult), will pay 50¢ for a trip on the shuttle. All riders who request a "flex trip" (door to door), will pay an additional 25¢. A ten ride punch card will be available for sale for $5.00 at the Walnut Creek Transit Center, County Connection office on Arnold Industrial Way and limited locations within the Monument Community. These punch cards are good for fares on the Monument Community Shuttle ONLY. If you have a punch card, and need a "flex" trip, just put an extra 25¢ in the fare box. Because this route is highly discounted for everyone, there will be no further discounts for seniors or people with disabilities. The shuttle fare is already less than half of the fare of other County Connection routes. The shuttle will NOT provide free midday service to seniors or disabled riders.

You may request a transfer on the shuttle to other CCCTA bus routes. On your return trip, if you start on a CCCTA bus route, you will pay the regular County Connection fare and request a transfer to the shuttle. The most you will ever pay for a round trip, using both the shuttle and a regular County Connection route, would be $2.75 (door to door pick up on the shuttle, and transfer to an express route, plus return trip on express route and transfer to the shuttle for a door to door trip home).

How often will the bus run? The bus will serve every time point on the route once per hour, beginning at 7:35 am. The last bus will leave La Clinica at 5:35 pm. The shuttle is timed to connect with CCCTA Route 980.

Why is the shuttle timed to meet Route 980? Since the purpose of the shuttle is to provide better connections to community services and especially health care, a transfer to Route 980 will allow passengers to use express service to the County Medical Center in Martinez much faster than a trip on Route 116.

What about wheelchairs, bicycles, and strollers? The vans used to provide the shuttle service are equipped with wheelchair lifts and bicycle racks. You may request that the lift be lowered for stroller boarding, but strollers must be folded or secured out of the aisle after boarding, and your child must be removed from the stroller. Vans will be equipped with two child safety seats per vehicle, and you are responsible for securing your child into the safety seat. This service is provided with a 22 passenger van. If the van is full, passengers will be told to wait for the next bus.

How do I schedule a "flex trip"? You may call 943-1829 to schedule a pick up time the day before you need your trip. Be sure to let the operator know what time you need to be picked up, and your address. You do not have to pre-schedule a drop-off appointment. If you need to cancel a pre-arranged trip, call 943-1829 at least an hour prior to your scheduled pick up time.

What about Spanish Speaking Passengers? The Dispatch number to call for a "flex trip" will be staffed by a Spanish speaking bilingual operator. County Connection's customer service line (676-7500), when you call for information, includes a translation service link. Please wait a moment when you call for the operator to connect you with the language line.

Where do I get more information?
Call County Connection at 676-7500 for route, fare, and schedule information.