First VTA Board Meeting Of 2015 Tonight

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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):

  • Initial remarks from Perry Woodward of Gilroy, who will chair the VTA Board this year
  • Approving or rejecting an initial study for a new parking structure at the Tamien Light Rail Station area
  • Approve or reject spending $11.7 million of your money on a construction contract to construct Phase II of the Mountain View Light Rail double-tracking program.

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

VTA Quarterly Service Changes Effective Monday

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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:

  • Rerouting on the 77 bus line in northern San Jose to support construction of the BART extension along its normal route.
  • Having the 17 Community Bus route end at the Social Services center on Tompkins Ct. instead of Monterey/Las Animas due to safety reasons.
  • Adding a trip on northbound-only 168 express bus service from Gilroy to San Jose to support San Jose State University students when classes are in session.

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

Happy New Year 2015!

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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