On behalf of the Silicon Valley Transit Users, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas today.
In case you did not know: all Silicon Valley transit agencies (VTA, Caltrain, SamTrans et al.) are running a Sunday/Holiday schedule today. Regular weekday service will return tomorrow.
If you must travel today, please be careful out there. Once again, Merry Christmas.
Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users
The last Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Board Of Directors’ meeting of 2017 took place on December 7. There, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo was voted unopposed as the VTA Board Of Directors’ Chair for 2018. Also, Santa Clara City Councilmember Teresa O’Neill was voted 9-2 over Cupertino’s Sadia Vaidhyanathan for Vice Chair in 2018.
You can view all four hours of the last VTA Board Of Directors’ meeting of 2017 here. Or, read on for a summary of what was decided at this VTA Board Of Directors’ meeting.
This year, the last VTA Board Of Directors‘ meeting for 2017 will start at 5:30pm. Note that it is not the normal 9am or other morning time, due to other meetings in the County around that time. A welcome and refreshing break from previous years.
Amongst what will be voted on at Thursday’s VTA Board Of Directors’ meeting:
The Palo Alto Daily Post reported that current VTA Board Chair Jeannie Bruins of Los Altos will be replaced next year by Mountain View City Council member John McAlister. McAlister will represent the Palo Alto, Mountain View, Los Altos, and Los Altos Hills on the VTA Board of Directors.
Read the full 744-page agenda packet for tomorrow’s VTA Board Of Directors’ meeting. Or, read one condensed version of the agenda packet I put together featuring the items mentioned above.
Also, were you affected by the lack of extra bus and rail service for the Pac-12 Football Championship Game at Levi’s Stadium last Friday? Come speak up about it at Thursday’s VTA Board of Directors’ meeting, in the Public Comment time period at the beginning of the meeting.
WHEN: Thursday at 5:30pm
WHERE: County Supervisors’ Chambers at the County Government Center, 70 W. Hedding St. (at North 1st Street), San Jose.
GETTING THERE: Government Center is 1 block north of Civic Center light rail station. Take VTA’s 61, 62, 66 or 181 express bus lines to Civic Center light rail station, then walk 1 block north to the County Government Center. Read the map detailing the Government Center area for additional information.
See you on Thursday.
Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users
Moderator and four panelists at last Sunday’s Regional Planning Forum in Cupertino, where our group met.
Silicon Valley’s housing and traffic crises are already well documented. Our group gathered in Cupertino last Sunday to discover and hear what can be done to resolve these crises. The four panelists at last Sunday’s Regional Planning Forum in Cupertino were:
Part 1 of the Regional Planning Forum can be viewed below:
Part 2 of the Regional Planning Forum (the Question and Answer portion) can be viewed below:
A special Thank You goes to Better Cupertino for hosting this forum. Please view both videos above. You will learn some things from both videos.
After viewing both videos in full, please share your thoughts on what needs to be done to address Silicon Valley’s traffic and housing problems. Also, indicate what YOU are willing to do to help solve these issues.
Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users
Instead of our usual group meeting in San Jose this coming Thursday, let’s instead meet on a Sunday afternoon in Cupertino. There, Better Cupertino will host a public meeting on regional planning, and what must be done to solve the Bay Area’s transportation, housing, and infrastructure maintenance needs.
Register for the FREE meeting here. This will give the hosts a proper headcount.
WHEN: Sunday, October 29th from 3pm-5pm
WHERE: Cupertino Community Hall, 10350 Torre Ave. (between Rodrigues Ave. and Pacifica Dr.), Cupertino
GETTING THERE: Cupertino Community Hall is 1.5 blocks south of Stevens Creek Blvd. and S. De Anza Blvd. It’s a 5-10 minute walk from VTA’s 55 bus line at S. De Anza Blvd and Sunrise Dr. It’s also a 10-15 minute walk from the VTA’s 23 and 323 limited stop bus lines at Stevens Creek Blvd. and S. De Anza Blvd.
I’ll see you all on October 29 in Cupertino.
Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users