Tag: morgan hill

VTA’s Big Ask…and More

The November 3 Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Board Of Directors’ meeting had lots of information discussed. Among key issues discussed:

  • Proposals to speed up light rail thru downtown San Jose.
  • Why there have been so many bus service cancellations on some routes in the last two months.
  • A change in how VTA applies for federal funding for extending BART into downtown San Jose.

Feel free to view the Board meeting in its entirety above. Meanwhile, here’s what was discussed November 3, in order of Agenda items. Links in listed show what was discussed, approximately at that moment.

Some VTA Buses Couldn’t Take the Heat

People waiting for VTA's 60 bus at Santa Clara Train Station.
People waiting for VTA’s 60 bus at Santa Clara Train Station.

September 6 featured record high temperatures in Santa Clara County. One result of this, we learned, was that the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) had to take 40 buses out of service that day. This was covered in the Mercury News (via East Bay Times) and CBS Bay Area.

Below highlights what was learned directly from VTA on what else happened that hot dayIt’s deeper than what has been reported in the press on this matter. Read and learn for more details.

Silicon Oven

Graphic showing it's 111 degrees in San Jose. Has sun drawing on upper right.
Lower right says 111 deg. / 72 deg. feels like 111 Deg.
Tue, 2:26pm
Photo courtesy Juan Estrada on Facebook.

This week, temperatures in San Jose and the rest of the Bay Area are at record highs.


The extreme heat is expected to continue for several more days.

To address this, we’ve learned that the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is providing FREE rides to Cooling Centers throughout Santa Clara County. Here’s an updated list, as of today.

If you use VTA ACCESS Paratransit, call (408)321-2380 to book a trip to a Cooling Center. Due to demand, expect at least a three-hour wait before you can be picked up.

Rail agencies like BART, Caltrain, and Capitol Corridor ran with heat-related speed restrictions so far this week. This has resulted in delays up to 20 minutes on each of these systems. Expect this to be the case the rest of this week.

Locally, VTA has had issues system-wide due to heat causing breakdowns so far this week.

If at all possible, limit when you go outside for the next few days. Let’s not hear about you having to go to the hospital due to dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke – or worse.

Still need to travel outside this hot week? Follow @svtransitupdts on Twitter to keep up with the latest local (Santa Clara County) public transit updates. Here’s steps showing YOU can help keep the svtransitupdts Twitter feed updated.

In the mean time, please stay safe, cool, and hydrated this week.

Eugene Bradley
Founder & CEO, Silicon Valley Transit Users.

Happy Memorial Day 2022

Happy Memorial Day!

On behalf of the Silicon Valley Transit Users, I want to wish everyone a Happy Memorial Day this weekend.

On Monday, all transit agencies serving Santa Clara County will run on a Sunday/Holiday schedule. This includes Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) buses/light rail, Caltrain, SamTrans, and BART. Normal weekday service for all transit agencies will resume on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, this long weekend, VTA buses and light rail will help you beat traffic and parking woes to the following events:

On this long weekend, let’s ensure we honor and salute those who have fallen while serving our country in our Armed Forces.

Lastly, make sure to follow @svtransitupdts on Twitter for the latest public transit service updates and information.

Stay safe out there, in these wild times.

Eugene Bradley
Founder & CEO, Silicon Valley Transit Users

Happy Thanksgiving 2021

Image by J Lloa from Pixabay

On behalf of the Silicon Valley Transit Users, I want to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving today.

Quick reminder: ALL Silicon Valley transit agencies (VTA, Caltrain, BART, SamTrans, et al.) are running on a Sunday/Holiday schedule today.

Read on for a more detailed look at how these transit agencies will run today and tomorrow.