Silicon Valley Transit Users

Track Work Affects VTA Bus & Light Rail in Downtown San Jose Thru June 9

by Eugene B • May 22, 2025 • 0 Comments

https://twitter.com/vtaservice/status/1923458592331501902

Light rail rehabilitation work at the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) continues. From May 23-June 9, track and signal replacement work at San Carlos and Woz Way in downtown San Jose forces VTA to run shuttle buses instead of trains in the southern and western edges of downtown San Jose.

Also, the 23 local and 523 Rapid bus lines will be affected by the work in the area until June 9.

Do you normally ride the 23, 523 Rapid, Blue Line or Green Line light rail south or west of downtown San Jose? Attending FanimeCon at the Convention Center this Memorial Day weekend? Read more to learn how your commute will be affected.

by Eugene B • May 24, 2025 • 0 Comments

On this long weekend, let’s make time to honor and mourn those who have fallen while serving in our nation’s Armed Forces. Memorial Day also marks the unofficial start of summer.

On Monday, all transit agencies serving Silicon Valley will run on a Sunday/Holiday schedule. This includes but is not limited to

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) bus & light rail service
SamTrans
Caltrain
Highway 17 Express buses between San Jose and Santa Cruz
Dumbarton Express buses between the East Bay and Palo Alto

Also, on Monday, there is no Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) rail service between Stockton and San Jose.

All public transit service returns to normal schedule Tuesday, May 27.

Read on for transit guides to some sporting events and festivals in Santa Clara County, on this long Memorial Day weekend.

by Eugene B • March 30, 2025

Just learned that Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) light rail service returns this week after workers went on strike for over two weeks. Estimated schedule of when train lines return to service:

Light Rail Service Update: Inspections & repair work continue on light rail lines. There will be potential service on the ORANGE line tomorrow, Monday, March 31 in the afternoon. The BLUE & GREEN line will take longer to resume.

Stay tuned for more service updates. pic.twitter.com/HokbFmDDzB
— VTA (@VTA) March 30, 2025

Also, reports of two copper thefts during the strike have also played a role in delaying its service return. Meanwhile, labor negotiations between VTA and ATU Local 265 will continue, despite lack of a contract. Some quick reminders on light rail:

Orange line trains run round-trip between Mountain View, Old Ironsides (for connection to the Green Line) Baypointe (for connections to the Blue Line), Milpitas (BART connection), and Alum Rock in East San Jose
Blue Line trains run round-trip between Baypointe in North San Jose, downtown San Jose, and Santa Teresa in South San Jose.
Green Line trains run round-trip between Old Ironsides in Santa Clara, downtown San Jose, and Winchester in Campbell.

What are your thoughts on VTA bus and light rail service returning after the strike? Discuss in comments below.

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users

Judge Ends VTA Transit Strike

by Eugene B • March 27, 2025

The Great Silicon Valley Public Transit Strike of 2025 is now over. On Wednesday, Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Daniel Nishigaya ruled in favor of the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) and their request to end the strike. From March 10 until Thursday, more than 1,500 workers represented by the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 265 walked off the job. This resulted in loss of VTA bus and light rail service throughout Santa Clara County.

VTA has already announced a partial return of bus service on Friday. Light rail service is expected to return as soon as Monday due to copper wire theft incidents along the Green Line between San Jose and Campbell, according to ABC 7 News Bay Area. Also, tracks and infrastructure need to pass safety inspections.