| Published March 4th, 2009 | New Bus Route to Serve Downtown Lafayette | By Cathy Tyson | ![](../../issue0226/images/0226-00601.jpg) | County Connection Bus Photo courtesy www.motorbussociety.org
| Commuters, especially those going to jobs on the east end of town, will be pleased with County Connection's upcoming route 25. Starting at the Lafayette BART station then travelling along Mt. Diablo Boulevard to Pleasant Hill Road, at which point it hops on the freeway to its final destination - the Walnut Creek BART station, this route will link workers all along the corridor to transit. Currently, the only option is walking from the BART station, which is convenient for Safeway workers. Those employed at the Lafayette Park Hotel - not so much.
"This is one of the bright spots in an otherwise gloomy picture," said Anne Muzzini, Director of Planning at County Connection. She's referring to the news reported in December of 2008 that the transit service will be cut and prices will rise due to ever increasing operating costs.
Lafayette Transportation Planner Leah Greenblatt lobbied heavily for the increase in service. In part due to last summer's transportation survey, and after making the case that existing bus routes didn't connect to BART, this could be just the ticket to get commuters out of their cars.
Service starts March 22 at 7:30 a.m. and will run through 6:30 p.m. on an hourly basis. For more information go to www.ccta.org. This is just one of many systemwide service changes going into effect this spring. Due to budget shortfalls, a common refrain these days, fares will increase as of March 22. Adult tickets are now $1.75 will be $2.00 as of that date. Seniors and the disabled now pay $.85, but will soon pay $1.00. See website for additional fare increases. Bus to bus transfers will remain free.
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