Tag: San Jose

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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VTA Transit Strike Update

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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.

All bus and light rail service in Santa Clara County shut down indefinitely at 12:01am this morning. Over 100,000 bus and light rail riders in Santa Clara County will now have to find travel alternatives. The shutdown is due to a strike by 1,500 members of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 265 against the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) over wages, benefits, and grievances. The prior labor contract expired March 3.

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

In addition to operators of VTA buses and light rail, ATU Local 265 also represents VTA’s

  • Maintenance workers
  • Dispatchers
  • Fare inspectors
  • Customer service representatives

More on the strike – and how YOU can get around during the strike – follow below.

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Possible Transit Strike Next Week

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A labor dispute between the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) and workers at Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 265 could affect public transit in Santa Clara County starting next week. The Mercury News reported yesterday that both parties are still working to reach an agreement. This as the current labor contract expired on Monday at midnight.

A full labor strike will stop all bus and light rail service in Santa Clara County. It’s also confirmed via VTA Customer Service that ACCESS Paratransit service will still run normally in the event of a strike.

At press time, all bus and light rail service is running as normal in Santa Clara County. Worth noting: it’s possible that some drivers may not show up for work this week, causing some cancelled bus and light rail runs. Call VTA at (408)321-2300 to ensure your bus and light rail trip is running.

A further update on labor negotiations is expected to be reported at this Thursday’s VTA Board of Directors’ meeting.

DATE & TIME: Thursday, March 6 at 5:30pm
PLACE: County Supervisors’ Chambers, 70 W. Hedding St., San Jose
GETTING THERE: The County Supervisors’ Chambers is a short walk from Civic Center light rail station. The Blue and Green light rail lines, and the 61 bus line, stop at that station.

KRON 4 News reported on Tuesday that ATU Local 265 members will meet this Friday to discuss next steps, in the event no labor agreement is reached.

This site will be updated as circumstances and facts warrant. Have a good day, and stay safe.

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users

More News Coming Up

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I have personally been away on management training on my day job. It’s why things have not been updated in the timely manner you have expected over the last few months. There are a lot of things to talk about, in regard to

  • current BART Phase II (San Jose-Santa Clara)
  • Upcoming public meetings by VTA for input from YOU for its future (particularly South County)
  • Awards recently won by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) and SamTrans
  • An opportunity for YOU to help VTA on a committee responsible for banning problem transit riders

and more, will be posted here, as soon as possible. Thank you, readers, for your patience at this time.

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users

Happy Memorial Day 2024

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Happy Memorial Day!
Happy Memorial Day!

Today, we remember those who perished serving our nation’s Armed Forces. This after we remembered the horrific shootings at Guadalupe Rail Yard on May 26, 2021.

All transit agencies serving Silicon Valley are running on a Sunday/Holiday schedule today. This includes but is not limited to:

  • Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) buses and light rail
  • SamTrans (San Mateo County)
  • Caltrain
  • BART
  • Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) trains to/from Stockton
  • Capitol Corridor trains to/from Oakland and Sacramento

Normal weekday service will return Tuesday morning.

Read on for a transit guide of things to do around San Jose – and how to get there on public transit.

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