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County Connection board member briefs Lafayette on ridership recovery, SB 63 and youth free-fare results
Summary
Donald Tatsum, Lafayette's County Connection board member, reported on ridership trends, a summer youth free-fare pilot that sharply increased youth boarding, transit-signal priority trials and the fiscal uncertainty that underlies possible multi-county sales-tax measures (SB 63).
Donald Tatsum, Lafayette's representative on the County Connection Joint Powers Authority (CCCTA/County Connection), told the City Council the agency's ridership has recovered unevenly from pandemic lows, outlined experiments intended to boost riders and summarized the agency's fiscal position and looming state policy choices.
Tatsum said weekend ridership has recovered to slightly above pre-pandemic levels while weekday travel lags and that the nature of trips has shifted toward shorter rides unrelated to BART.
On fares, Tatsum highlighted a summer pilot of free youth passes that drove substantial ridership gains. "Youth ridership has grown by about 200%, reaching a total of about just under 12,000 riders," Tatsum said. He added that in one local area youth trips rose from 37 in 2024 to about 892 in 2025.
Tatsum said County Connection's operating model means fares cover only a small share of total system costs: "If you look at the full bus service, we only take in about 14¢ for every dollar we spend." He said the agency uses other funding sources and reserves to offset fare revenue declines and that the board is watching labor renegotiations with multiple unions.
On performance trials, Tatsum described transit-signal priority tests in Concord and Walnut Creek that reduced bus signal delay by about 17% and improved bus travel times by about 6%.
On policy and funding, Tatsum briefed council members about SB 63, a pending Bay Area proposal to raise a sales tax to shore up transit operating funds for BART and other large operators. He said small operators such as County Connection are concerned the measure may direct most new revenues to larger agencies and that County Connection is seeking assurances for its share if the measure advances.
Why it matters: The report highlighted how local transit agencies are experimenting to boost ridership and the fiscal choices local leaders will face if regional sales-tax options are pursued in Sacramento.
Council response: Members asked whether signal priority could be extended locally and whether the youth free-fare program could be expanded to school routes during the year. Tatsum said expansion depends on funding; he also noted the one-seat ride changes and other operational adjustments had produced measurable rider benefits.
Next steps: Tatsum said he may return with updates on contract negotiations and urged the council to consider appointing a local liaison if the board requires more detailed advocacy or reporting.
Ending: The council asked staff to monitor County Connection's negotiations and funding discussions and to consider how Lafayette could support service priorities such as youth fare programs.
