Transit Alternatives To the VTA Strike

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Picket signs say "ATU Local 265 on strike against VTA" in black and white. Source: ATU Local 265
Strike picket signs. Source: ATU Local 265

Bus and light rail service in Santa Clara County remains suspended indefinitely. This is due to a strike by workers who are members of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 265 over wages, benefits, and arbitration. See our prior update over what they are on strike against the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) over – a strike which began on Monday at 12:01am.

The strike does NOT affect ACCESS Paratransit service. The service is run by a private company on another contract.

Following is a list of commuter rail, community shuttles, and rideshare services within Santa Clara County that are alternates to suspended VTA bus and light rail service. Be advised: some of these services require premium fare, have age minimums, and have limited service range and hours. With rideshare services, they also require advance reservations before riding.

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VTA Transit Strike Update

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Passengers boarding a white and blue VTA 68 bus heading to Gilroy, in downtown San Jose.
People boarding VTA’s 68 bus in downtown San Jose.

All bus and light rail service in Santa Clara County shut down indefinitely at 12:01am this morning. Over 100,000 bus and light rail riders in Santa Clara County will now have to find travel alternatives. The shutdown is due to a strike by 1,500 members of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 265 against the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) over wages, benefits, and grievances. The prior labor contract expired March 3.

The strike does NOT affect ACCESS Paratransit service. The service is run by a private company on another contract.

In addition to operators of VTA buses and light rail, ATU Local 265 also represents VTA’s

  • Maintenance workers
  • Dispatchers
  • Fare inspectors
  • Customer service representatives

More on the strike – and how YOU can get around during the strike – follow below.

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Transit Strike Notice Given For Monday

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Barring a last-minute agreement, prepare for a bus and light rail shutdown in Santa Clara County on Monday. At Thursday night’s Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Board of Directors’ meeting, the letter above from Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) local 265 President Rajvinder Singh was presented to VTA Board members and staff. It sets a strike date starting this coming Monday at 12:01am.

ACCESS Paratransit services will continue to run as normal, should a strike occur.

On Thursday night, NBC Bay Area warned viewers to be prepared Monday morning for increases in vehicle traffic throughout Santa Clara County. They also warned of more demand in ride-hailing services and carpool services. CBS Bay Area reported that this is the first time in the over-100 year history of ATU Local 265 that they have been on strike.

This is on both ATU Local 265 and VTA to come to an agreement as soon as possible. More information will be posted this weekend.

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users