This weekend, and especially Monday, we honor and mourn those who perished while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
On Monday, Memorial Day itself, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) and all other transit agencies will run on a Sunday/Holiday schedule.
Given the long weekend, there will be plenty of activities going on, particularly in San Jose. Read more about these events – and travel advisories – below.
May 26, 2021 is a day that will live in local, Silicon Valley infamy. At around 6:30am, a mass shooting took place at the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Guadalupe light rail yard in San Jose. Nine (9) light rail employees were shot to death. The shooter ultimately turned the gun on himself, committing suicide.
Here’s how it was reported here. The report also includes VTA Radio communication as the tragedy occurred. Listen to the audio at your own discretion.
I will personally visit the offices of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265 as well as VTA headquarters today, to pay respects on behalf of our group.
Where were you on the morning of May 26, 2021? How are you remembering the tragedy that took place? Please comment below.
More later on today.
Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users
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:
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
Severe rain and high winds are forecast for Silicon Valley today and tomorrow. Because of this, if you must travel, allow extra time for your commute. Especially if you ride Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) buses and light rail.
Based on events during recent storms, be prepared for delays of at least 20 minutes on BART, ACE Trains, and Caltrain. Also, be prepared for delays of at least 15 minutes on SamTrans bus service as well as all VTA bus and light rail service. They may need to traverse and detour around flooded streets and downed trees this week.
If at all possible, please stay home. Here’s how to report flooding you see in your part of Santa Clara County. Do you need to find warmer shelter? Here’s a list of warming centers throughout Santa Clara County. Other Warming Centers in Santa Clara County are also in county libraries. Many of these Warming Centers are near VTA bus and light rail lines. We’ll alert you when we learn from VTA whether or not they will offer free transit rides to and from these Warming Centers.
If you must travel, be careful when riding public transit. We have a guide that shows you how to ride public transit in wet weather.
Follow @svtransitupdts on Twitter for the latest public transit updates and tips this week. Here’s how to keep us and others updated on our Twitter feed.
Listen to your local television or radio news for the latest updates on the storms this week.
Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users
On behalf of the Silicon Valley Transit Users, I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year.
We’ve learned the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) will continue its tradition of offering FREE bus and light rail fares throughout Santa Clara County tonight and tomorrow morning. Hours of the free service are from 8pm tonight until 5am tomorrow morning. VTA is running on its normal Saturday schedule today, and will run a Sunday/Holiday schedule tomorrow and Monday. Extended service on all three light rail lines and the 500 Rapid will take place until about 2am tomorrow morning. Here’s more info from VTA on their New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day (after) service hours.
Also, Caltrain will have FREE fares for its train service from 8pm tonight, until the last train from San Francisco at 2am tomorrow morning. Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) trains will have extended Saturday service until about 1am Sunday morning. Both services are set up to accommodate those attending fireworks shows in San Francisco tonight.
On New Year’s Day, all Silicon Valley transit agencies will run on a Sunday/Holiday schedule. On Monday, January 2, all except BART will run a Sunday/Holiday schedule to observe New Year’s Day. BART trains will run on a regular weekday schedule on Monday, featuring improved service after 9pm between Daly City and West Oakland stations.
Given the heavy rain, gusty winds, and flooding expected this weekend, be careful when riding public transit. We have a guide that shows you how to ride public transit in wet weather.
Follow @svtransitupdts on Twitter for the latest public transit updates and tips this weekend. Here’s how to keep us and others updated on our Twitter feed.
If you must drink tonight, make sure to use public transit where possible, as a safe alternate to driving. Please stay safe tonight and tomorrow. Happy New Year!
Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users