Lamorinda families with students heading to Acalanes, Campolindo, Miramonte, or Stanley Middle School can now plan their bus routes for the 2026–27 school year.
County Connection published its Transit 101: Youth Rider Guide on Friday, July 24, laying out routes, fares, and discount programs for the agency's 600-series school buses. The buses run on school days only, with schedules built around bell times at each campus.
Which routes serve Lamorinda schools
Route 625 connects Lafayette BART to Acalanes High School, departing at 7:30 a.m. and arriving at Stanley Boulevard/Acalanes High at 8:05 a.m.
Routes 606 and 6 link Orinda BART to Campolindo High, Miramonte High, and Orinda Intermediate School, with stops along Moraga Way. Route 6 is a regular fixed route that also serves school stops, while 606 is a dedicated school route.
Route 626 provides afternoon-only service from Lafayette BART to Stanley Middle School in Lafayette, departing at 2:56 p.m. There is no morning Route 626 trip.
Each 600-series bus makes one trip per school day at its posted time. Most use 40-foot buses that hold about 70 passengers. If a bus fills up, no additional riders can board.
Fares and the Youth Clipper Card
Cash fare is $2.50, exact change only, with no transfers. A Youth Clipper Card drops the cost to $1.00 per ride and includes transfers.
The card is available to riders ages 6–18, according to County Connection's guide. The guide lists both 5 and 6 as the minimum age in different sections; families with 5-year-olds should confirm eligibility at (925) 676-7500. The card automatically applies a 50% discount on Bay Area transit until the rider turns 19.
Families can get a Youth Clipper Card same-day in person at County Connection's office at 2477 Arnold Industrial Way in Concord, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. A parent can apply without the student present by bringing the child's ID, birth certificate, or passport. Online applications take a few weeks; the card arrives by mail after verification.
Free passes through Pass2Class
The Pass2Class program, run by 511 Contra Costa and funded by the Contra Costa Transportation Authority and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, offers free bus passes for up to two students per household for up to two months.
Applications for the 2026–27 school year opened Tuesday, July 7, with passes set to activate Saturday, August 1. Mt. Diablo Unified School District posted on Facebook that the application deadline is 5 p.m. Monday, August 3. That deadline does not appear on the 511 Contra Costa application page as of publication. Passes are available while supplies last, and a parent or guardian must complete the application.
County Connection's guide notes that Pass2Class does not include a Clipper Card. The two programs require separate applications.
Last year's Pass2Class passes for County Connection sold out before the school year began, according to the transit agency.
Practical tips
Afternoon buses leave school about 10 minutes after the bell. If a driver sees students still approaching, the bus will wait up to three additional minutes. All buses have front racks for two bikes.
Parents cannot track individual students but can follow bus locations in real time at countyconnection.com or through the Transit app.
County Connection customer service is available Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., at (925) 676-7500 or [email protected].
Key dates
- Tuesday, July 7 – Pass2Class applications opened
- Saturday, August 1 – Pass2Class passes activate
- Monday, August 3, 5 p.m. – Application deadline (per MDUSD)
