Eugene B

VTA Hires Its Replacement Paratransit Contractor

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VTA now has someone to run its paratransit (ACCESS) buses and cars.  At Thursday night’s VTA Board of Directors’ meeting, the VTA Board voted to a approve a four-year, nearly $80 million contract with MV Transportation to operate and maintain the ACCESS paratransit fleet.

In the Bay Area, MV Transportation operates and maintains the Dumbarton Express bus service, WestCAT (Western Contra Costa County Transit, and core SamTrans bus routes like the ECR and SamTrans’ “RediWheels” paratransit.

Listen to audio highlights of Thursday evening’s VTA Board meeting below.

What are your thoughts on VTA having MV Transportation as their paratransit provider?  Please comment below.

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users

This Tuesday: Our First Meeting Of 2017

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Our group’s first meeting of 2017 will be in San Jose this coming Tuesday at 6pm.  There, we’ll have more discussion about VTA’s proposed “Next Network” bus restructuring proposal. That will include some additional talking points for you and others to bring up and follow up on at the public meetings VTA will hold throughout the county in February.

TIME & DATE: Tuesday, January 31 at 6pm
PLACE: San Jose Peace & Justice Center, 48 S 7th Street, San Jose.  The Peace & Justice Center is 1/2 block north of the San Jose State University Campus
GETTING THERE: Read this map of the area around the Peace & Justice Center, and details on VTA buses and light rail that stop nearby.

Bring a pencil/pen and paper with you to our meeting for note taking. Also, be ready to start taking action on what we discuss.

Please distribute this invitation to everyone where (legally) permitted. ALL ARE WELCOME!

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users

Next Meetings For the “Next Network”

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For transit in Silicon Valley, 2017 is off to a fast start.  In addition to changing its logo, colors, and tagline, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is holding meetings in January and February to take your input on its “Next Network” bus and light rail service restructuring proposal.  Recall VTA’s prior bus service restructuring in 2008 which has been documented, as a guide.

If approved by the VTA Board of Directors in April, changes will take affect this fall.

Public meetings have already been held in cities like San Jose and Milpitas, with more to follow until the end of February.  More on the VTA’s “Next Network” proposal – and some of our thoughts on it so far – are below.

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Palo Alto Transit Center Closed Until Jan. 27

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Due to city sewer replacement work, the Palo Alto Transit Center will be closed for bus service until January 27.  As a result, SamTrans and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) bus riders must board buses on El Camino Real and Quarry, near Stanford Shopping Center.  Here is the SamTrans bus boarding plan and the VTA bus boarding plan during the work.  Staff from both agencies are expected to be on hand to assist those who need transfers between these buses and Caltrain.  Meanwhile, Caltrain will still serve the Transit Center.

A Storm Front’s Coming…

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A lot of rain is expected in Santa Clara County this weekend.  Transit agencies like the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) have already made preparations for these storms. Despite these preparations, incidents such as downed trees and flooding may cause delays and rerouting on VTA buses and light rail this weekend.

Traveling on VTA buses, light rail or Caltrain this weekend? Here are some tips to help you travel during these storms this week. These tips are based on experience in riding buses and trains during rainstorms and snowstorms on the East Coast.

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