Eugene B

Reeling In the “Rail Big Fish”

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This post is in response to an article in Metro Silicon Valley on allegations of cronyism on a project VTA is doing design work on.  That project involves the renovation and modern redesign of San Jose Diridon train station, served by VTA buses, light rail, Amtrak, Caltrain, intercity bus services.  The station will serve as a stop for California High-Speed Rail in the future..  VTA just gave its response to the article, denying the allegations.

Note that the post is NOT an indication of any group position on the matter.  This is simply my take on the latest local transit news.

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Super Bowl LIV Local Party Transit Guide

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The stage is set for Sunday afternoon in Miami for Super Bowl LIV.  Can’t make it to Miami for the Big Game between San Francisco and Kansas City?  There are local parties at bars, clubs, and restaurants throughout Santa Clara County.

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Ride VTA? Tell San Jose City Council You Matter!

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Some members on the San Jose City Council think you, as a transit rider, don’t matter.  On Tuesday January 28, the San Jose City Council will vote on sending a letter to the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) opposing reallocation of funding to help increase bus and light rail service throughout Santa Clara County.

Details on what is going on – and how YOU can help stop this letter – are below.

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Happy Birthday, Dr. King, Jr

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As we celebrate the birthday of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, this federal holiday will affect public transit in Silicon Valley today.  In particular:

During our celebration of the late Dr. King, Jr. today, listen to this once-lost speech he made at Newcastle University in the United Kingdom in 1967.

More transit news later this week.  Note that the transit guides are being modified to reflect the new VTA schedule and service that took effect back on December 28.

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users

Transit Options For the Niners’ Really Big Game

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Championship Sunday will be in Silicon Valley today.  The San Francisco 49ers host the Green Bay Packers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara in the NFC Championship game, with kickoff at 3:40pm.  The winner of the game will go to Miami to play in Super Bowl LIV.  It is the first time Levi’s Stadium will host the NFC Championship game.

Auto traffic will be very heavy for this vital game.  Fortunately, to help you beat the traffic and parking woes, several local transit agencies will provide extra service to and from today’s game.  In particular, extra service from Caltrain, Capitol Corridor, and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) will be available for football fans for today’s game.

Never rode public transit before in Silicon Valley? Here’s a guide that shows you how.

Because up to 70,000 fans are expected for today’s game, expect standing-room only (SRO) conditions on VTA light rail (especially on the new Orange line) for today’s game.  Such SRO conditions are expected to last until about 7pm, when the game is expected to end.

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