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.
This week, temperatures in San Jose and the rest of the Bay Area are at record highs.
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.
On behalf of the Silicon Valley Transit Users, I want to wish you a Happy (and safe) Labor Day Weekend.
Temperatures in Santa Clara County are expected to reach or exceed 100 degrees this weekend. To address this, we’ve learned that the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) will provide FREE transit service to cooling centers throughout Santa Clara County. Some independently-operated cooling centers not affiliated with government will also be open on Labor Day; here’s a list of these cooling centers.
For VTA ACCESS Paratransit riders, please call (408)321-2380 to book a trip to a cooling center. Due to expected demand, please allow at least three (3) hours for pickup.
If you are going out on this hot, long weekend, we have transit guides to some sporting events in Palo Alto and San Jose.
Note that start times to these games may change due to the extreme heat in the area this weekend. Look and listen for news reports on whether or not your game has been delayed or even cancelled due to the heat this weekend.
Read on for more details.
The Big Game is at Stanford Stadium today – pandemic and all. At 4pm today, Stanford hosts Cal in the annual Big Game for The Axe at Stanford Stadium at 4pm.
Our transit guide to Stanford Stadium details Caltrain, VTA rapid bus, and SamTrans bus options to and from today’s Big Game.
Meanwhile, in San Jose, there is a pro hockey doubleheader today. At 1:15pm face-off time, the San Jose Barracuda host the San Diego Gulls in AHL action. Afterward, at 7:30pm, the San Jose Sharks host the Washington Capitals in NHL action.
Our transit guide to SAP Center mentions VTA bus, light rail, and Caltrain transit options to and from the games.
When used, all of these bus and rail options help you beat traffic, parking headaches, and potential road rage incidents to and from the games.
Not sure how to ride and pay fare on VTA buses or light rail? There’s a guide for that, too.
Have a nice day, and stay safe. More tomorrow…
Eugene Bradley
Founder & CEO, Silicon Valley Transit Users
A little more Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) light rail service was restored today. Starting today, and until further notice:
Do you or someone you know live or work in Campbell or South San Jose and normally use VTA light rail? Please read our VTA alternate bus guide for light rail service. It lists VTA bus lines like the 60, 64A, 66 and 68, and how they can be used in place of light rail service until those parts of the line are fully restored. Yes, the trips are longer. Yes, you will need to adapt your travel accordingly. Please remember: all of this is temporary.
On Saturday at 7pm, the San Jose Earthquakes host the Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer action on the pitch of PayPal Park. Read our revised transit guide for PayPal Park. It shows how VTA’s 60 bus line directly serves PayPal Park, and how the pitch is within walking distance of the Santa Clara Transit Center and Rail Station.
Finally, on Labor Day (September 6) all Silicon Valley transit agencies will be running a Sunday/Holiday schedule. Normal weekday service will return on Tuesday, September 7. Please plan your trips accordingly.
Thank you, and please stay safe this Labor Day weekend.
Eugene Bradley
Founder & CEO, Silicon Valley Transit Users