SchoolPool is an established program throughout Contra Costa that provides free public transit tickets as an alternative to driving your student(s) to school.
If your school is in South County or Lamorinda:
The communities of Alamo, Danville, Orinda, Lafayette, Moraga, and San Ramon can take advantage of the Student Transit Ticket Program which provides two free 12-ride County Connection public bus tickets per student. Download the School Transit Ticket Application (in pdf), complete the form, and mail it to the address listed on the application. For more information call (925) 973-2650. This program is for K-12 students located in Alamo, Danville, Orinda, Lafayette, Moraga, and San Ramon only.
For schools located in Central and East Contra Costa County (Antioch, Brentwood, Clayton, Concord, Martinez, Oakley, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek, and the surrounding incorporated areas): The SchoolPool Program transit application period for 2008 is closed in Central and East Contra Costa. Encourage your student(s) to take the bus for school to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution and receive a County Connection or Tri Delta Transit punch pass. DVC or JFKU students, please visit the public transportation page.
If your school is in West County:
The communities in West Contra Costa are advised to call (510) 215-3217 for information on the school transit program in that area.
If the bus doesn’t work, try carpooling to school.
Schools and cities encourage you to carpool to school in order to reduce traffic congestion. The benefits to carpooling are:
- Safety - Reduces traffic congestion before and after school.
- Time - Reduces the number of times you have to drive your students to/from school.
- Environment - Helps improve air quality so we can all breathe easier.
- Economic - Saves money on gas and wear and tear on your car.
A healthier way to get to school… try walking or biking
International Walk and Bike to School Week is the first week of October. Walking and biking to school protects the environment and your health. When you decide to lace up your sneakers to walk or bike instead of driving a car, you reduce the amount of air pollutants emitted by automobiles.
How do you start walking and biking to school?
- Encourage children to wear bright colors when walking or biking, and to use reflective tape on backpacks or jackets.
- Launch a “Walking School Bus”. Walking School Buses are groups of children who walk designated routes to school under adult supervision, picking up kids along the way just like a bus.
- Park and walk to school. Designate areas 1/4 to 1/2 mile from school where parents can drop of children and they can safely walk the remaining distance to school.
