Tag: cupertino

Transit Alternatives To the VTA Strike

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Picket signs say "ATU Local 265 on strike against VTA" in black and white. Source: ATU Local 265
Strike picket signs. Source: ATU Local 265

Bus and light rail service in Santa Clara County remains suspended indefinitely. This is due to a strike by workers who are members of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 265 over wages, benefits, and arbitration. See our prior update over what they are on strike against the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) over – a strike which began on Monday at 12:01am.

The strike does NOT affect ACCESS Paratransit service. The service is run by a private company on another contract.

Following is a list of commuter rail, community shuttles, and rideshare services within Santa Clara County that are alternates to suspended VTA bus and light rail service. Be advised: some of these services require premium fare, have age minimums, and have limited service range and hours. With rideshare services, they also require advance reservations before riding.

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Happy Independence Day 2023

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United States flag with fireworks in the background in the upper right.
Happy Independence Day!

On behalf of the Silicon Valley Transit Users, I want to wish you a Happy Independence Day.

Today, all transit agencies serving Silicon Valley are operating on a Sunday/Holiday schedule today. This includes, in no particular order:

  • Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) trains systemwide
  • San Mateo County Transit (SamTrans) in Palo Alto and San Mateo County
  • Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA)
  • Caltrain rail service between San Francisco, San Jose, and Gilroy

Normal, weekday service will return tomorrow (Wednesday).

Meanwhile, here are public transit options to fireworks displays throughout Silicon Valley tonight.

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TAKE ACTION! Ensure Public Transit Stays In the State Budget Proposal

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Riders boarding Caltrain in Mountain View station. Front of the train is on the right, with its lights on. Passengers boarding and alighting are on the left.
Riders boarding Caltrain in Mountain View.

California Governor Gavin Newsom’s latest state budget proposal cuts funding for public transit. If passed into law in June, it would result in fare hikes and service reductions for many transit agencies throughout California. This as several key Bay Area transit agencies like Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and Caltrain struggle to regain pre-COVID pandemic ridership. This also occurs as many public transit agencies are running out of federal COVID relief funding to run their buses and trains.

Our group is part of a coalition to have the California State Legislature pass “gap” funding in the State Budget until public transit agencies pass their own operations funding means.

Read more on what’s going on, and how YOU can get involved.

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April Showers (Of Service Increases)

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Passengers boarding a white and blue VTA 68 bus heading to Gilroy, in downtown San Jose.
People boarding VTA’s 68 bus in downtown San Jose.

On April 24, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) made several service changes to increase bus and light rail service throughout Santa Clara County. Read more about these changes here.

Key notes on the April 24 service changes:

  • Going to the South County Courthouse in Morgan Hill? The 568 Rapid bus no longer serves the Morgan Hill Caltrain station. Instead the bus will stay on Monterey Hwy. thru downtown Morgan Hill. The stop now shares the 68’s bus stop on Monterey/3rd, a 10 minute walk to the Courthouse on 301 Diana Ave.
  • On weekends, the 27 bus no longer serves downtown Los Gatos due to area traffic and resulting delays. Those normally taking the bus to downtown Los Gatos. Bus stops for downtown Los Gatos on weekends will be Santa Cruz/Los Gatos-Saratoga (EB to Kaiser SJ), and Los Gatos-Saratoga/University (WB to Winchester LRT station).
  • Also, VTA still does not have enough light rail operators to run light rail at 15-minute frequencies on weekends. This will change as bus drivers apply to become light rail operators throughout the year. VTA is still hiring bus operators; here’s how to apply for a bus operator job.

What are your thoughts and feelings on today’s service increases? Please comment and suggest below.

More later this week. Meanwhile, have a nice day and stay safe.

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users

Happy Earth Day 2023

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"EARTH DAY" and "EVERY DAY" written in capital letters written in a leaf-colorful background.
Author: Linnaea Mallette Source: publicdomainpictures.net

On behalf of the Silicon Valley Transit Users, I want to wish everyone Happy Earth Day today.

To help celebrate Earth Day, we’ve learned that the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) will offer FREE fare on all buses and light rail lines from 5am today until 3am Sunday morning. VTA also notes Earth Day events in San Jose, Cupertino, and Morgan Hill you can get to by bus.

This weekend, follow @svtransitupdts on Twitter for public transit updates information and public transit tips for Santa Clara County. For more information on VTA bus and light rail service, call VTA Customer Service at (408)321-2300, or visit their web site.

Enjoy Earth Day and stay safe.

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users