WestCAT
Encyclopedia
WestCAT is a public transportation service in western Contra Costa County (north of Oakland, CA
). It is a service of the Western Contra Costa Transit Authority.
The Western Contra Costa County Transit (WestCAT) was established in August 1977 as a Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement between the County of Contra Costa and the cities of Hercules and Pinole. It was created with the purpose of owning, operating and administering a public transportation system serving the area between the Richmond
/El Sobrante border to the west and the Al Zampa Memorial Bridge to the east. WestCAT is governed by a 7-member Board of Directors and supported by professional staff of six. The two cities of Pinole
and Hercules
are each represented by two board members, while the unincorporated communities of Crockett
, Rodeo
, and MonTaraBay each have one representative, appointed by the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors.
WestCAT's fleet started out with shuttle vans, and then using buses made by El Dorado National and Thomas Built Buses
. Now, WestCAT runs an almost all Gillig
fleet, ranging from Gillig Phantoms, to 2 Gillig Low Floors serving mostly the 16 - Pinole Valley/Pinole Vista route, as well as 11 new 2007 model Gillig BRT buses that are now in service. In addition, WestCAT now has two new Motor Coach Industries
(MCI) over-the-road coaches for use on the LYNX.
Transbay Terminal called the LYNX with stops in the Rodeo Park and Ride located on Willow Avenue, North Shore Business Park near Bio-Rad
, the Victoria by the Bay neighborhood in Hercules and the Hercules Transit Center. From the Hercules Transit center the line then goes nonstop to San Francisco via the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on I-80. WestCAT currently offers free Wi-Fi
service on the LYNX line.
Major transfer points for the majority of WestCAT and other agency's routes include:
The local transportation demand management organization 511 Contra Costa
also provides information for intermodal transfers throughout Contra Costa County, and works closely with WestCAT to help transit users make regional connections beyond their immediate service area.
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
). It is a service of the Western Contra Costa Transit Authority.
The Western Contra Costa County Transit (WestCAT) was established in August 1977 as a Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement between the County of Contra Costa and the cities of Hercules and Pinole. It was created with the purpose of owning, operating and administering a public transportation system serving the area between the Richmond
Richmond, California
Richmond is a city in western Contra Costa County, California, United States. The city was incorporated on August 7, 1905. It is located in the East Bay, part of the San Francisco Bay Area. It is a residential inner suburb of San Francisco, as well as the site of heavy industry, which has been...
/El Sobrante border to the west and the Al Zampa Memorial Bridge to the east. WestCAT is governed by a 7-member Board of Directors and supported by professional staff of six. The two cities of Pinole
Pinole, California
Pinole is a city in Contra Costa County, California, United States. The population was 18,390 at the 2010 census. It is one of many small “bedroom communities” along the I-80 corridor in Western Contra Costa County. It is located about northeast of San Francisco, and approximately a half-hour...
and Hercules
Hercules, California
Hercules is a city in western Contra Costa County, California. Situated along the coast of San Pablo Bay, it is located in the eastern region of the San Francisco Bay Area, about northeast of San Francisco. The city has a 2010 population of 24,060 according to the U.S...
are each represented by two board members, while the unincorporated communities of Crockett
Crockett, California
Crockett is a census-designated place in Contra Costa County, California, United States. The population was 3,094 at the 2010 census...
, Rodeo
Rodeo, California
Rodeo is a census-designated place located in Contra Costa County, California on the shore of San Pablo Bay. The population was 8,679 at the 2010 census. The town is named for the livestock roundups common in the late 19th century...
, and MonTaraBay each have one representative, appointed by the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors.
WestCAT's fleet started out with shuttle vans, and then using buses made by El Dorado National and Thomas Built Buses
Thomas Built Buses
Thomas Built Buses, Inc. is a bus manufacturer based in High Point, North Carolina, United States and a subsidiary of the German Daimler AG. Thomas produces school buses, activity buses/MFSAB , and commercial buses; both small and full-size buses are produced.Thomas traces its roots to 1916, when...
. Now, WestCAT runs an almost all Gillig
Gillig
Gillig Corporation, formerly Gillig Bros., is a manufacturer of heavy-duty low-floor transit buses located in Hayward, California. Prior to 1993, Gillig had also been a manufacturer of school buses.-History:...
fleet, ranging from Gillig Phantoms, to 2 Gillig Low Floors serving mostly the 16 - Pinole Valley/Pinole Vista route, as well as 11 new 2007 model Gillig BRT buses that are now in service. In addition, WestCAT now has two new Motor Coach Industries
Motor Coach Industries
Motor Coach Industries International Inc. is an American bus manufacturer based in Schaumburg, Illinois, and is a leading participant in the North American coach bus industry. It has various operating subsidiaries:...
(MCI) over-the-road coaches for use on the LYNX.
Fixed-route service
As of October 2008, WestCAT provides a network of local and express bus routes throughout western Contra Costa County. In addition, WestCAT operates regional service between Martinez (Route 30Z) and the El Cerrito del Norte BART station and between the Hercules Transit Center and Contra Costa College (Route C3). The (Local) routes are 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19. Also (Express) JX, JL/JR (referred to as the "J" by most riders, the "L" designates via Lakeside Drive, and the "R" designates via Richmond Parkway), JPX (serves Pinole Valley residents wanting to go to the Hercules Transit Center or BART). Also, WestCAT operates transbay service between the Hercules Transit Center and the San FranciscoSan Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
Transbay Terminal called the LYNX with stops in the Rodeo Park and Ride located on Willow Avenue, North Shore Business Park near Bio-Rad
Bio-Rad
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. , was founded in 1952 in Berkeley, California. The company was initially engaged in the development and production of specialty chemicals used in biochemical, pharmaceutical, and other life science research applications...
, the Victoria by the Bay neighborhood in Hercules and the Hercules Transit Center. From the Hercules Transit center the line then goes nonstop to San Francisco via the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on I-80. WestCAT currently offers free Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi or Wifi, is a mechanism for wirelessly connecting electronic devices. A device enabled with Wi-Fi, such as a personal computer, video game console, smartphone, or digital audio player, can connect to the Internet via a wireless network access point. An access point has a range of about 20...
service on the LYNX line.
Major transfer points for the majority of WestCAT and other agency's routes include:
- Hercules Transit CenterHercules Transit CenterHercules Transit Center is a major commuter hub in the western Contra Costa County city of Hercules, California. It is anchored by WestCAT bus services. The center was originally on San Pablo Avenue...
in HerculesHercules, CaliforniaHercules is a city in western Contra Costa County, California. Situated along the coast of San Pablo Bay, it is located in the eastern region of the San Francisco Bay Area, about northeast of San Francisco. The city has a 2010 population of 24,060 according to the U.S... - Hilltop Mall Shopping Center in RichmondRichmond, CaliforniaRichmond is a city in western Contra Costa County, California, United States. The city was incorporated on August 7, 1905. It is located in the East Bay, part of the San Francisco Bay Area. It is a residential inner suburb of San Francisco, as well as the site of heavy industry, which has been...
- Richmond Parkway Transit CenterRichmond Parkway Transit CenterThe Richmond Parkway Transit Center or RPTC is a park and ride lot and bus terminal located in Richmond, California. It is named after the adjacent Richmond Parkway. It serves as a transfer point for the WestCAT and AC Transit...
in RichmondRichmond, CaliforniaRichmond is a city in western Contra Costa County, California, United States. The city was incorporated on August 7, 1905. It is located in the East Bay, part of the San Francisco Bay Area. It is a residential inner suburb of San Francisco, as well as the site of heavy industry, which has been... - El Cerrito del Norte BARTEl Cerrito del Norte (BART station)El Cerrito del Norte, frequenly shorterned to del Norte, is one of two BART stations in El Cerrito, California, just east of the Cutting Boulevard interchange of Interstate 80 parallel to San Pablo Avenue and the Ohlone Greenway straddling the Richmond border. Del Norte opened to revenue service on...
in El CerritoEl Cerrito, Contra Costa County, California-Transportation:The city's primary transportation infrastructure consists of the El Cerrito Plaza and El Cerrito del Norte BART stations along with several local bus lines, operated by AC Transit, providing access to the surrounding area and the nearby cities of Albany, Berkeley and Richmond... - Martinez Amtrak StationMartinez (Amtrak station)Martinez Station is a union station in Martinez, California, the county seat of Contra Costa County. It is served by 44 Amtrak trains per day, including Capitol Corridor trains, San Joaquins, the California Zephyr and the Coast Starlight...
in MartinezMartinez, CaliforniaMartinez is a city and the county seat of Contra Costa County, California, United States. The population was 35,824 at the 2010 census. The downtown is notable for its large number of preserved old buildings... - San Francisco Transbay TerminalSan Francisco Transbay TerminalSan Francisco Transbay Transit Terminal, or simply Transbay Terminal, was a transportation complex in San Francisco, California, USA, located roughly in the center of the rectangle bounded north–south by Mission Street and Howard Street, and east–west by Beale Street and 2nd Street...
in San Francisco
Routes
| Route Number | Direction | Terminals | Days of Operation † | Schedule Information | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North/East Terminal | South/West Terminal | |||||
| 10 | Loop | Hercules Transit Center Hercules Transit Center Hercules Transit Center is a major commuter hub in the western Contra Costa County city of Hercules, California. It is anchored by WestCAT bus services. The center was originally on San Pablo Avenue... - Turquoise |
Weekdays | Route 10 Schedule | ||
| 11 | Loop | Hercules Transit Center - Crockett Crockett, California Crockett is a census-designated place in Contra Costa County, California, United States. The population was 3,094 at the 2010 census... |
Weekdays and Saturdays | Route 11 Schedule | ||
| 12 | Loop | Hercules Transit Center - Mandalay/Bonaire | Weekdays | Route 12 Schedule | ||
| 15 | Loop | Hercules Transit Center - Viewpointe Blvd | Weekdays | Route 15 Schedule | ||
| 16 | Loop | Richmond Parkway Transit Center Richmond Parkway Transit Center The Richmond Parkway Transit Center or RPTC is a park and ride lot and bus terminal located in Richmond, California. It is named after the adjacent Richmond Parkway. It serves as a transfer point for the WestCAT and AC Transit... - Wright Ave/Doidge Ave |
Weekdays | Route 16 Schedule | ||
| 17 | Loop | Richmond Parkway Transit Center - Cypress/Broadmore | Weekdays (except midday) | Route 17 Schedule | ||
| 18 | Loop | Richmond Parkway Transit Center - Tara Hills Tara Hills, California Tara Hills is a census-designated place in Contra Costa County, California, United States. The population was 5,126 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of , all of it land.... |
Weekdays (except midday) | Route 18 Schedule | ||
| 19 | Loop | Hercules Transit Center - Hilltop Mall Shopping Center Hilltop Mall Hilltop Mall is a mall in the Hilltop neighborhood of Richmond, California. Hilltop is managed and co-owned by Simon Property Group, and is anchored by longtime tenants JC Penney, Macy's, Sears, and lastly Wal-Mart, a 2007 addition. -History:... |
Saturdays Only | Route 19 Schedule | [19] | |
| C3 Regional Route |
East-West | Hercules Transit Center |
Contra Costa College Contra Costa College Contra Costa College, in San Pablo, California, is the west campus of the Contra Costa Community College District. It is part of the California community colleges system, one of the three college systems in California.- History :... |
Weekdays | Route C3 Schedule | |
| 30Z Regional Route |
East-West | Martinez Amtrak Martinez (Amtrak station) Martinez Station is a union station in Martinez, California, the county seat of Contra Costa County. It is served by 44 Amtrak trains per day, including Capitol Corridor trains, San Joaquins, the California Zephyr and the Coast Starlight... |
Hercules Transit Center | Weekdays | Route 30Z Schedule | [30Z] |
| J (JR/JL) Express Route |
North-South | Hercules Transit Center Weekdays Willow/Viewpointe Weekdays after 8pm & Weekends |
El Cerrito del Norte BART | Daily | Route J Schedule | [J] |
| JX Express Route |
North-South | Hercules Transit Center | El Cerrito del Norte BART | Weekdays (except midday) | Route JX Schedule | |
| JPX Express Route |
North-South | Hercules Transit Center | El Cerrito del Norte BART | Weekdays | Route JPX Schedule | [JPX] |
| LYNX Transbay Route |
North-South | Willow Avenue Commute trips Hercules Transit Center Non-commute trips |
S.F. Transbay Terminal San Francisco Transbay Terminal San Francisco Transbay Transit Terminal, or simply Transbay Terminal, was a transportation complex in San Francisco, California, USA, located roughly in the center of the rectangle bounded north–south by Mission Street and Howard Street, and east–west by Beale Street and 2nd Street... |
Weekdays (except holidays) | Route LYNX Schedule | [LYNX] |
- † Holidays schedule is shown on the WestCAT Holidays page.
- [JPX] Richmond Parkway Transit Center service only during midday from 9:40am to 2:30pm, route also serves Hercules Transit Center.
- [J] JR Via Richmond Parkway and Blume Drive and JL Via Lakeside Drive.
- [LYNX] Route serves Hercules Transit Center, and most peak period services also serve Bio-RadBio-RadBio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. , was founded in 1952 in Berkeley, California. The company was initially engaged in the development and production of specialty chemicals used in biochemical, pharmaceutical, and other life science research applications...
, all terminating at Victoria By The Bay. Also operates midday (non-commute) trips between San Francisco and Hercules Transit Center, and it does not serve Bio-Rad or Victoria By The Bay.
Cash and Passes
| Route | Type | Adult/Student (6-64) † | Senior (65+)/Disabled ‡ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Route/Express | Single ride | US$1.75 | US$0.75 |
| Day Pass | US$3.50 | US$1.50 | |
| 31-Day Pass | US$40.00 | US$20.00 | |
| Stored Value Pass | US$20.00 | US$7.50 | |
| East Bay Value Pass # | US$60.00 | US$60.00 | |
| LYNX Transbay Route | Single ride | US$5.00 | US$2.00 |
| 31-Day Pass | US$140.00 | US$70.00 | |
| 10-Ride Pass | US$50.00 | US$20.00 | |
| Dial-A-Ride | Single ride | US$4.00 | US$1.25 |
| Discount Tickets | not available | US$10.00 | |
| ADA Paratransit | Single ride | not available | US$3.00 |
| Discount Tickets | not available | US$25.00 |
Transfer
| Route | Transfer from ₮ | Adult/Student (6-64) † | Senior (65+)/Disabled ‡ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Route/Express | other WestCAT buses, Capitol Corridor Capitol Corridor The Capitol Corridor is a 168-mile passenger train route operated by Amtrak in California. Because it is fully supported by the state, the Capitol Corridor operates under Amtrak California. It runs from the San Francisco Bay Area to Sacramento, roughly parallel to Interstate 80... , County Connection County Connection The County Connection is a Concord-based public transit agency operating fixed-route bus and ADA paratransit service in and around central Contra Costa County in the San Francisco Bay Area... , and Tri Delta Transit |
FREE | FREE |
| BART Bay Area Rapid Transit Bay Area Rapid Transit is a rapid transit system serving the San Francisco Bay Area. The heavy-rail public transit and subway system connects San Francisco with cities in the East Bay and suburbs in northern San Mateo County. BART operates five lines on of track with 44 stations in four counties... , Vallejo Transit, AC Transit AC Transit AC Transit is an Oakland-based regional public transit agency serving the western half of Alameda County and parts of western Contra Costa County in the western, Bay-side area of the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area... , and Golden Gate Transit Golden Gate Transit Golden Gate Transit is a public transportation system serving the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area in California, United States. It mainly serves Marin and Sonoma Counties, and also provides limited service to San Francisco and Contra Costa County.Golden Gate Transit is one of three... |
US$1.00 | US$0.50 | |
| LYNX Local trips | WestCAT Local Fixed Routes/Express | FREE | FREE |
| LYNX Transbay Route | WestCAT Local Fixed Routes/Express | US$3.25 | US$1.25 |
- † Children under six years of age may ride free, but must be accompanied by an adult. Limit 2 children under six years per fare paying adult.
- ‡ Appropriate identification must be presented to obtain the discounted Senior/Disabled fare.
# East Bay Value Pass value on all WestCAT, County Connection, Wheels and Tri Delta Transit fixed-route buses, with the exception of LYNX.- ₮ In order to facilitate passenger connections between WestCAT and other agency, transfer slips are issued upon request at the time the proper fare is paid and transfer at shared stops only (exception Capital Corridor trains, which are FREE anywhere within WestCAT’s service area with validated transfer).
Service Area
WestCAT provides service to the communities of:- Bayview
- CrockettCrockett, CaliforniaCrockett is a census-designated place in Contra Costa County, California, United States. The population was 3,094 at the 2010 census...
- El CerritoEl Cerrito, Contra Costa County, California-Transportation:The city's primary transportation infrastructure consists of the El Cerrito Plaza and El Cerrito del Norte BART stations along with several local bus lines, operated by AC Transit, providing access to the surrounding area and the nearby cities of Albany, Berkeley and Richmond...
- HerculesHercules, CaliforniaHercules is a city in western Contra Costa County, California. Situated along the coast of San Pablo Bay, it is located in the eastern region of the San Francisco Bay Area, about northeast of San Francisco. The city has a 2010 population of 24,060 according to the U.S...
- MartinezMartinez, CaliforniaMartinez is a city and the county seat of Contra Costa County, California, United States. The population was 35,824 at the 2010 census. The downtown is notable for its large number of preserved old buildings...
- Montalvin Manor
- PinolePinole, CaliforniaPinole is a city in Contra Costa County, California, United States. The population was 18,390 at the 2010 census. It is one of many small “bedroom communities” along the I-80 corridor in Western Contra Costa County. It is located about northeast of San Francisco, and approximately a half-hour...
- Port CostaPort Costa, CaliforniaPort Costa is a census-designated place in Contra Costa County, California, United States. The population was 190 at the 2010 census.-Geography:...
- RichmondRichmond, CaliforniaRichmond is a city in western Contra Costa County, California, United States. The city was incorporated on August 7, 1905. It is located in the East Bay, part of the San Francisco Bay Area. It is a residential inner suburb of San Francisco, as well as the site of heavy industry, which has been...
- RodeoRodeo, CaliforniaRodeo is a census-designated place located in Contra Costa County, California on the shore of San Pablo Bay. The population was 8,679 at the 2010 census. The town is named for the livestock roundups common in the late 19th century...
- San Francisco
- San PabloSan Pablo, CaliforniaSan Pablo is a city in Contra Costa County, California, United States. The city of Richmond surrounds nearly the whole city. The population was 29,139 at the 2010 census. The current Mayor is Paul V. Morris, and the current Vice Mayor is Cecilia Valdez. Current Councilmembers include Arturo M....
- Tara HillsTara Hills, CaliforniaTara Hills is a census-designated place in Contra Costa County, California, United States. The population was 5,126 at the 2010 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of , all of it land....
The local transportation demand management organization 511 Contra Costa
511 Contra Costa
-About 511 Contra Costa: is a comprehensive transportation demand management program that implements vehicle trip reduction and air quality programs on behalf of the local jurisdictions in Contra Costa County, California...
also provides information for intermodal transfers throughout Contra Costa County, and works closely with WestCAT to help transit users make regional connections beyond their immediate service area.