Eugene B

Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial Day!

On behalf of the Silicon Valley Transit Users, let’s thank our fallen brothers and sisters in our Armed Forces who sacrificed their lives for our Republic.  They remind us that the freedom we enjoy (and sometimes take for granted) is never free.

This is also a reminder that all Silicon Valley transit agencies like Caltrain, SamTrans, VTA, and BART are running on a Sunday/Holiday schedule today.  Normal weekday service will resume on Tuesday.

Let’s make sure today is meaningful for those who have lost a family member who served in our Armed Forces.

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users

Final “Next Network” Vote This Thursday

People boarding the VTA 181 express bus to Fremont BART. VTA plans on ending the 181 bus line in December when BART to Berryessa opens for service.

On Thursday, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Board of Directors will vote on the final version of their “Next Network” transit service restructuring proposal.

TIME & DATE: Thursday, May 4 @ 5:30pm
PLACE: County Supervisors’ Chambers, Santa Clara Co. Government Center, 70 W. Hedding St., San Jose
GETTING THERE: VTA’s 61, 62, 66 & 181 express bus lines, and VTA light rail, stop one (1) block south of County Government Center, at Civic Center light rail station.

Details on the vote – and how YOU can influence the VTA Board of Directors before Thursday – are below.

This Wednesday, She Calls Us

VTA Board Member Teresa O’Neill of Santa Clara. Photo courtesy smartvoter.org

For the first time, a member of the VTA’s Board of Directors will be joining us for our meeting.  Teresa O’Neill, Santa Clara City Council member, and VTA Board of Directors’ member, will be joining us at our meeting this Wednesday, April 19 to help discuss local transit issues.

Of primary discussion this Wednesday: VTA’s final “Next Network” bus and light rail service restructuring proposal.  That proposal will be voted on by the VTA Board of Directors in May.  Ms. O’Neill will be dialing in remotely as she is out of town for a public transit meeting.

Meeting details and agenda are below…

Next Network, Current Concerns

Huge changes to your bus and light rail service in Santa Clara County will be discussed this week.  At Thursday evening’s VTA Board of Directors’ meeting, the Board members will further discuss what VTA staff proposed under the “Next Network” transit service restructuring proposal.

If you haven’t done so already, read up on VTA’s “Next Network” proposal.  Learn whether or not it may be made harder for you to reach your job, school, or doctor by public transit in Santa Clara County this fall.  This is especially true if you live in Gilroy, Morgan Hill, Almaden Valley, or some parts of Palo Alto, Mountain View or Sunnyvale.  This is also true if you take any of the VTA express buses from Fremont, as they are proposed to be eliminated when BART opens in December.

Last Meetings For the “Next Network”

vta staff member presentation at Santa Clara City Council Feb. 7.

VTA staff member presentation at Santa Clara City Council Feb. 7.

The week of February 12 will be of note in parts of San Jose and Gilroy.  The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) will hold the last three (3) public meetings for its “Next Network” transit service restructuring proposal on Feburary 13, 15 and 16.  The meetings start at 6pm and last about two (2) hours.  VTA has published additional information on your input regarding the “Next Network” so far.

Not only do we have talking points and site information for these three meetings the week of February 12, we also have additional news that has come up.  More information follows…