The idea of having dedicated bus lanes or even bus queue jumping lanes along El Camino Real sounds great. This has raised some questions, however.
On January 14, I wrote a letter on behalf of our group to the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) providing input on its Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for their El Camino Real Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. Input for the letter was obtained from members on our Yahoo! Group email list.
This evening, the very first Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Board of Directors meeting of 2015 will take place.
Amongst the items the Board will vote on, according to their meeting agenda (Adobe PDF Document):
The meeting site is the County Supervisors’ Chambers at the County Government Offices 70 W. Hedding Street (at North First Street) in San Jose. The County Government Offices are one block north of the Civic Center light rail station and the bus stop for VTA’s 61, 62, 66 and 181 express bus lines. Plan on driving to the VTA Board Meeting? There’s free on-street parking in front of and across Hedding Street from the County Government Offices, starting right at 5:30pm.
Want to speak at tonight’s VTA Board of Directors meeting? Here are some rules and procedures you need to follow to get your voice properly heard.
See you this evening!
Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users
The new year has good news for bus riders in Silicon Valley. On January 5th, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) will add Sunday service on the 323 limited stop bus line between San Jose and De Anza College in Cupertino. VTA will also add more weekday and Saturday bus service on the 323 as well.
Amongst other service changes VTA will implement on January 5th:
These and more of the bus service changes VTA is making on January 5th are mentioned here.
One main point to consider regarding service expansion on the 323: it is to help build ridership for VTA’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project for Stevens Creek Boulevard.
Do you agree with the service increases VTA is making January 5th? If not, what bus or light rail service changes for the better do YOU think VTA needs to make? Please discuss in the comments area according to our blog commenting rules.
Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users
On behalf of the Silicon Valley Transit Users, I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year.
Several transit New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day traditions continue today and tomorrow.
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) will have FREE bus and light rail service from 8pm New Year’s Eve until 5am New Year’s Day.
In addition, Caltrain will have FREE service system-wide from 8pm until the end of service early Thursday morning. From 12:45am-2:15am New Year’s Day, Caltrain will have southbound service from San Francisco at 15 minutes and 45 minutes after the hour. Trains leave at the times specified above or when full, whichever is sooner.
As for Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) trains: service will run every 20 minutes until 3am Thursday morning. This service will primarily support the fireworks show on the Embarcadero in San Francisco at midnight.
Note that neither VTA, BART nor Caltrain allow alcohol aboard trains – particularly after 9pm. If found with alcohol, expect to be asked to leave the train.
Please take advantage of these transit services to avoid having to drive home in gridlock – possibly drunk. Should you still need to drive home in your automobile and you’re drunk, call AAA at 1(800)222-4357 and ask the operator for a free “Tipsy Tow” home.
Let’s all be careful out there. Have a Happy, Safe, and Sane New Year!
Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users
Hotel 22 Trailer from Elizabeth Lo on Vimeo.
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA)’s 22 bus line runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. It is Santa Clara County’s only 24-hour public transit service. Because of this, the 22 bus line is infamously known as a place where homeless people who can’t obtain proper shelter end up sleeping overnight. As a result, this bus line is known amongst the homeless population as the “Hotel 22.”
More on the increase in homeless people on additional VTA bus lines and light rail – and what can be done to end homelessness in Silicon Valley – follows.