Rider FAQ's

Here are some frequently asked questions about riding WestCAT and helpful answers to make your trip a pleasant one.

Q. Can I bring luggage, packages or groceries on the bus?
A. Yes, as long as you can handle all your packages/and or your luggage or cart yourself. Due to space and safety considerations, WestCAT has a 3 bag per person limit on all its buses. In addition, it is against the law to block an aisle of a transit bus.

Q. Can I use a valid transfer from another WestCAT route to board the WestCAT LYNX to San Francisco at established transfer points
A. Yes, but transfers from all other WestCAT routes to the LYNX to San Francisco require payment of a transfer fee. *Please refer to the regular WestCAT schedule for transfer fares.

Q. Can I use a transfer to re-board the same route after a stop-over (to pick-up some groceries, go to the bank, etc.) or to go back to where I began my original trip?
A. No, transfers are valid for one-way trips only, for 1 hour from time of issue and are not valid to re-board the same route after a stopover. This type of travel requires the purchase a Day Pass from your driver and you can go in any direction on and off any local and express bus all day until the last bus of the evening for the price of one round-trip. (Not valid on: LYNX to/from SF or Dial-A-Ride). Transfers valid only at established transfer locations.

Q. Can I request the lift to board the bus even if I am not in a wheelchair?
A. Yes, if you are unable to climb the bus stairs due to a mobility disability, you may use the lift as a standee. However, lifts are not intended to be used to board a child in a stroller or a grocery cart.

Q. Can I transport my child onto the bus in a stroller, and may my child ride in a stroller on the bus?
A. To ensure the safety of the child, passengers may board the bus with the child in the stroller using the ramp, and then remove the child from the stroller after boarding the bus. Once aboard, the stroller must be stowed behind the seat and out of the aisle. Strollers must not block aisles, wheelchair stations, doors, steps, or emergency exits. Passengers refusing to control strollers as described above will be refused a ride.

Q. Can I take my bike on board a WestCAT bus?
A. Only folding bikes are permitted inside buses as long as the bike is folded to the smallest dimension, it does not block the aisle, and the passenger can control the bike. All WestCAT LYNX, local and express buses are equipped with bike racks on the front of the bus, which will accommodate up to 2 bikes (some bike racks accomodate up to 3 bikes) on a first-come, first-served basis. Passengers using the bike racks must load the bike themselves and do so at their own risk. If the rack is full, please wait for the next available bus.

Q. Does WestCAT sell bus passes?
A. Yes, WestCAT sells bus passes online or in-person at WestCAT, 601 Walter Avenue, Pinole, CA 94564, M-Th from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Call (510) 724-7993 for more info.
To buy passes online visit our online store: WestCAT Online Store.

Q. Can I receive a reduced cash fare on WestCAT?
A. Yes, but if asked, please show the driver one of the following: State ID (senior fare), Clipper Access Discount Card (formerly RTC), Medicare card (not Medi-CAL), Veterans disability ID, or DMV disabled ID card (disabled fare).

Q. Are there other services available to me if I am not able to access the regular WestCAT fixed route or express buses due to temporary or permanent disability?
A. Yes, WestCAT Dial-A-Ride and ADA Paratransit services are available to qualified individuals. Please call (510) 724-7993 for info about whether or not you qualify for either or both of these services. You may also visit westcat.org for more information.

Q. Can I request to be let off or on a WestCAT bus at any location other than at an established bus stop?
A. No, with the exception of temporary bus stops posted by WestCAT. This policy is necessitated by the increased risk that a passenger could be endangered by winding up in the path of a car or bus by simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time when seeking to board or exit somewhere other than the established stop.

Q. I have a question about WestCAT and I don’t see it answered here?
A. If your question is not answered here and couldn’t locate the information on our site, feel free to go to our Contact Us page and use our online comment card, the convenient comment card on all coaches, call us directly at (510) 724-7993 or email us at info@westcat.org.

Service and Operations FAQ's

Q. Why does WestCAT operate the Lynx in SF, and why does it not operate on the weekend?
A. The Lynx relies heavily on the use of the HOV lane to avoid as much congestion as possible. Currently, the HOV lane does not operate on weekends; as a result, congestion and delays are often longer on weekends than on Monday-Friday. There are ongoing conversations about changes to the HOV rules, and WestCAT will continue to evaluate whether Lynx service is appropriate on weekends.

Q. Why does WestCAT not use smaller buses on local routes?
A. Most transit operating costs come from labor, so the driver's time—not the size of the bus—is the largest expense. Operating a larger bus than necessary adds relatively little cost, while using a bus that is too small can lead to crowding or leave passengers behind.

WestCAT buses often serve several routes throughout the day, and ridership can vary by time, location, weather, and unexpected events. For example, a school field trip can quickly turn a normally lightly used bus into a full one.

Although switching to smaller buses after the morning commute may seem efficient, returning a bus to the yard and assigning a driver to take out another vehicle would cost more than operating a larger bus for a few hours when demand is lower.

Q. Why does WestCAT only serve a single stop on Bayfront and not the rest of the Hercules Waterfront?
A. WestCAT currently provides weekday Express service to the Hercules Waterfront during commute hours. Development of the area is still ongoing. Presently, WestCAT serves the site of the future Transit Hub, and utilizes an undeveloped parcel between Railroad Avenue and Earnest Street, allowing vehicles to turn around safely.

At present, WestCAT can safely access the Waterfront only via John Muir Parkway and Bayfront because lane widths and on-street parking limit bus operations on other streets in the area.

Through the WestCAT Evolution Comprehensive Operations Analysis, WestCAT is proposing changes to Waterfront service that would maintain connections at the Hercules Transit Center while adding all-day service. As part of the rollout, WestCAT will work with the City of Hercules to identify new stops along John Muir Parkway and improve transit access for Waterfront residents.

Q. Why is there not a BART station in Hercules or Pinole?
A. While numerous studies have been undertaken to determine the feasibility of extending BART to Hercules, the conclusions often cite cost as the main issue, particularly due to the grade in the Hilltop area, which would create significant engineering concerns. BART owns and operates the current Hercules Transit Center, where WestCAT operates. There are no current plans to extend BART into the Pinole or Hercules area.

Q. Why does WestCAT not serve San Pablo or Richmond?
A. WestCAT was formed in 1977 by a Joint Powers Agreement between the Cities of Hercules and Pinole and Contra Costa County (Crockett, Port Costa, Rodeo, Tara Hills, Bayfront, Moltalvin Manor) to provide transit service to these individual communities. The Cities of Richmond and San Pablo are within the AC Transit service area, and as such, AC Transit is the transit provider in this area.

Q. How does WestCAT coordinate and connect to BART and AC Transit?
A. WestCAT builds its schedule based on connecting our Express Buses to the BART trains departing and arriving at Del Norte BART. We schedule our trips to arrive/depart 5 minutes after BART trains. WestCAT also works closely with AC Transit to make connections with the Route 72 at Contra Costa College, and also other routes at Richmond Parkway.