The Contra Costa County Transit Authority (CCTA-County Connection) has partnered with Transdev North America (Transdev) to provide shuttles for essential employees, services, food and supplies to address an emerging community need during COVID-19 crisis.
The service has incorporated a weekday reservation system to ensure timely and efficient response and currently includes:
- Meal and grocery delivery programs in partnership with Mt. Diablo School district and local churches for up to 200 students, while students are sheltering in place.
- Rides for life sustaining services as approved by CCCTA staff (grocery store, pharmacy and medical appointments).
- Delivery of food in partnership with the Meals on Wheels organization
- Delivery of essential supplies to any location in Contra Costa County and to approved destinations in adjacent counties as needed.
- Relocation services for homeless individuals from shelters to hotels and other congregant living spaces.
- Transportation for potentially COVID-19 positive patients that need to get to medical appointments and testing (extra training and protective measures are being taken to provide this service safely).
“We are excited about the support we are receiving in the community from local senior centers, charitable organizations such as Meals on Wheels, along with the ongoing communications we are having with the County Emergency Operations Center and our client agency partners,” said Johanna Duran, Transdev general manager for County Connection.
Transdev is continuing to implement social distancing practices, in addition to an increased frequency of its cleaning and disinfecting processes to ensure a safe environment for employees and passengers.
“Since we started these services, our operators are returning from the workday with smiles on their faces and a sense of gratitude for the ability to give back to the community in which they live,” continued Duran.
County Connection, Transdev’s client partner, also has positive feedback about the initiative.
“We are very happy to be able to help our community in this time of need. Transdev, and all of our community partners, are really stepping up to make things happen. We are able to offer a variety of support throughout the region. Everyone’s creativity and energy to help those in need has been amazing,” said Rashida Kamara, manager of Accessible Services for County Connection.
“In this moment, we are in the thick of it and working together to find ways to make this work for all of our stakeholders. The Transdev team and our community partners are going well above and beyond!” said Rick Ramacier, general manager of County Connection. “I am really happy with the partnership we have to work together through this crisis to implement solutions that directly help the community we serve.”