WiFi-Equipped Delta Express Commuter Coach Adds Morning Route, Offers Free Trial March 2 to 6

By Hacienda Network Staff Writer

Tri Delta Transit is making one of those offers that's almost impossible to refuse. Not only can commuters from East Contra Costa County enjoy a free ride during the week of March 2 to March 6, but the special promotion coincides with the debut of a long-awaited third morning route that will leave Mountain House at 7:10 am and arrive at its first stop in Hacienda at 8:02 am.

The extra trip is designed to attract a whole new group of riders with more conventional working hours, according to Tri Delta Transit Director of Marketing Mike Furnary. "We've heard over and over from people attending transit fairs that they were interested in the commuter service, but the timing of the current schedule was not convenient," Furnary observes. Previously the luxury coaches operated by the county transit agency made two morning trips along the Antioch-Discovery Bay corridor, the first arriving at the business park around 6:30 am and the second around 7:00 am. "Now we are pleased to respond to the need with a whole new option," he remarks. The return trip schedule, with Hacienda departures around 4:15 and 5:30 pm, has not changed.

In comfortable airplane-style seating, Delta Express passengers can read, sleep, or get an early start on their email thanks to the free WiFi connection on each coach. Every business day the service gets hard-working commuters to their jobs without the tension of driving in traffic, comments Furnary. "When you arrive at work relaxed, your whole day is better," he says.

Even though gas prices are currently down from their recent high, the round-trip commute by bus will probably cost less than driving, he points out. Tri Delta has three different fare plans. Flat-rate one-way tickets can be purchased on the bus in cash for $6. For occasional riders, the 20-ride punch pass for $65 and no expiration date offers great flexibility. Everyday riders - "the ones who use the service to get more sleep or use their laptops," Furnary notes - buy a monthly pass for $110, about a 50 percent savings over the single ticket. "This is the best value," he remarks. "Even if you don't live right next to one of the stations, you can drive to a park-and-ride lot and turn a long drive into a short one."

The week-long free offer is designed to encourage East Bay commuters to give the service, which has been operating since 2001, a trial run. Even after March 6, those wishing to try the Delta Express for the first time can do so for free as part of Hacienda's New Rider program. Details are available at www.hacienda.org/services/services_commute_rider.html. "There are many people out there who have wanted to try the service but never got around to it. Now it's free and there is nothing to lose, so hop on board and give it a try!" Furnary urges.

Schedule, ticket, and all other information can be found at www.trideltatransit.com.

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