Interstate 680
Express Bus Service
The 2018 California State Rail Plan (Rail Plan) envisions a seamless system of commuter trains integrated with local transit that provides user-friendly connections for riders to reach all parts of the state. To achieve this vision, the Rail Plan calls for express bus services that use the existing highway systems to get riders to the state’s rail stations. Interstate 680 is a corridor that can accommodate such express bus service, and therefore a partnership was formed between County Connection, the Livermore-Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA) and the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) to make this express bus option a reality and help thousands of Californians get where they need to go.
MAKING THE CONNECTION WORK
The Interstate 680 (I-680) corridor currently does not have a train or bus service that connects the Tri-Valley area to Martinez. An express bus route on I-680 is necessary to close this gap and serve those passengers that have no other means of traveling along the corridor. This service would provide a much needed connection between travelers on Amtrak’s national network, and the Capitol Corridor and San Joaquin routes with regional rail service such as the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and Altamont Commuter Express (ACE) rail networks.
Several key elements are necessary to make this express bus connection work, including the shared mobility hubs being planned as part of the Innovate 680 program. These hubs will be strategically placed along I-680 at several convenient locations such as the Bollinger Canyon Park and Ride, and Walnut Creek BART. They will have useful amenities like information kiosks and storage lockers and they will support multiple green modes like bikes, autonomous shuttles and car share. Other elements under development for this express bus service include the purchase of hydrogen fuel-cell buses, fueling stations, and shoulder improvements to support part-time transit lane express buses.
Purchase of hydrogen
fuel-cell buses
Fueling stations for
buses
Shared mobility hubs
for passenger pick
up/drop off
Shoulder improvements to
support part-time transit
lane express buses
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Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Buses
A total of six buses, including one spare, would be needed for the service. The vehicles will have twice the fuel economy and are less expensive to maintain than diesel combustion engines. Implementation of these buses and related infrastructure will drive forward the transition to zero-emission technology for County Connection and LAVTA.
Fueling Stations and Special Infrastructure
Hydrogen fuel-cell buses require special infrastructure for fueling and maintenance services. The planned route will need facilities and fueling stations and bus bays or curbside bus space at each of the proposed stops to drop off and pick up riders. Proposed terminus stops will need space for the buses to have a 15-minute layover period to allow the driver to take a break between routes.
Shared Mobility Hubs
The I-680 express bus service will be enhanced by the development of shared mobility hubs at strategic locations along the corridor. The purpose of shared mobility hubs is to facilitate and encourage travelers to take alternative modes of transportation. Hubs will have services and amenities that will make it easier for travelers to connect to transit, micromobility and car share options.
Shoulder Improvements for Part-Time Transit Lanes
A variety of shoulder pavement improvements, lane striping and signage will be implemented to create a part-time transit lane system along the corridor that will serve as an alternative for the express bus service vehicles, to avoid congestion and stay on schedule.
TOTAL FUNDING REQUEST: $75,000,000
KEY ELEMENTS AND COST
There are four key elements to our express bus service proposal. Here is how each will contribute to a smooth, efficient, and useful connection between the Tri-Valley area and Martinez.
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RIGHT INVESTMENT, RIGHT TIME
The I-680 corridor serves some of the fastest
growing residential areas and job centers in Alameda
and Contra Costa counties. This growth is expected
to continue well into the future which will spur
demand for transit options. Transit already serves
the corridor’s mainline rail stations in Pleasanton and Martinez, but there is no service that links the TriValley with the Martinez Amtrak station- a stop for both the Capitol Corridor and San Joaquin trains.
CCTA’s recent travel behavior study revealed that
a majority of drivers in the corridor are interested
in driving less but are not certain it is possible for
them. An express bus service along I-680 coupled
with shared mobility hubs at key locations along
the corridor will provide seamless options for those
drivers who want to get out of their cars and into
transit. To ease first and last mile connectivity, our
shared mobility hubs will support local bus and
shuttle drop off/pick up, secure bike storage, car
share, electric vehicle charging, and walking.
HUB
Free wi-fi, comfortable seating,
and power outlets or USB ports on
public transit, were the top 3
features requested by survey
takers. We have a plan for that!
Most people are willing to
walk or bike 12-15 minutes
to get to a hub. This helps
us plan hub locations!
67% surveyed value frequent,
reliable transit service. Our
hubs will have real-time
information kiosks!
58% surveyed want
on-site security features.
This is part of our plan!
72% of those surveyed
are interested in using
autonomous shuttles. Two
shuttles are on their way to
deployment in 2022!
A 2020 survey of residents along I-680 is helping us plan better shared mobility hubs.
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Suisun
To Richmond
To Oakland
To Castro Valley
To Fremont
To Stockton
Antioch-Pittsburg
Antioch
Martinez
Walnut Creek/
Pleasant Hill
West Dublin/
Pleasanton
Dublin/Pleasanton
Pleasanton
Livermore
Greenville/Vasco
Bollinger Canyon PNR
SAN PABLO BAY SUISUN BAY
To Stockton
To Sacramento
Express Bus Concept
Amtrak Services
BART
RTD/StaRT/MAX
Valley Link (future)
ACE
Tri-Valley Hub
Route Stop
EVERYONE WINS
The I-680 Express Bus service would
provide a much-needed connection
between the northern edge of Contra
Costa County, at the Solano County
border, and the southern edge of the
county known as the Tri-Valley. It is the
vital connection needed between the
eastern and southern rail services. Some
passengers have no other means of
travel along the corridor, highlighting
the importance of this link. In addition
to filling an unmet need for passengers,
this route will provide additional
travel options to all who live and work
along the corridor, it will help reduce
congestion, and it will reduce vehicle
miles traveled (VMT) thereby improving
the environment.
PLANNED ROUTE and STOPS for
the I-680 EXPRESS BUS SERVICE
Wins Possible with this Service
VMT Avoided/day
Riders Served/year
Metric Tons of GHG Avoided/day
30,000
13,000+
1,000+
source: epa.gov
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