Tag: transportation

An Audit Instead Of Reform

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people boarding VTA's 60 bus in santa clara
People boarding VTA’s 60 bus in Santa Clara.

Efforts to provide much-needed governance reform at the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) via the California State Legislature have been tabled. We learned via a San Jose Spotlight story on Tuesday that State Assembly Member Marc Berman and VTA Board Chair (and San Jose Vice Mayor) Charles “Chappie” Jones worked out a deal that would see VTA undergo a state audit of its governance structure.

As a supporter of AB 2181 – the VTA Governance Reform proposal – this news came as no surprise to me. Especially how some cities in Santa Clara County expressed fear of potential changes in VTA governance.

Ultimately, I feel a state-level audit of VTA’s governance is long overdue. If VTA, its staff, and current Board Of Directors have nothing to hide, they have nothing to fear. Here’s more on why our group continues to support governance reform at VTA – and why you should, too. Let’s wait and see the results of that state audit, and provide input to help make that state audit happen, as needed.

Eugene Bradley
Founder & CEO, Silicon Valley Transit Users

Here We Go Again

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Could another assault on working families, the elderly, and the disabled be on the horizon?  That may soon be the case.  This Friday morning at 9:00am, the Board of Directors of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) will discuss a proposal to reduce bus and light rail service by as much as 30% next year.

If at all possible, speak up during Public Comment at the VTA Board of Directors’ workshop on Friday morning at 9:00am.  There, Board Members will discuss the service cut proposals on Agenda Item 3.1. Let the VTA Board know what public transit means to YOU, and that they must do whatever is needed to preserve your bus service.  One of the VTA Board members supports use of 2016 Measure B funding to preserve as much transit service as possible.

Here’s information on how YOU can be heard in the online teleconference by computer or your own telephone.

View the video of the teleconference above, starting at 9am Friday morning.

More information on what you can do to help stave off VTA’s latest service cut proposal will be posted this weekend.

Eugene Bradley
Founder & CEO, Silicon Valley Transit Users

Monica Mallon contributed to this report.

 

Power To the People

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The transit riders are starting their fight back.  On September 5, more than 20 people made themselves heard at the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Board Of Directors’ meeting.  Their prime demand: reallocate 2016 Measure B funding that would have gone to highway construction, to fund increased bus and light rail service in Santa Clara County. View the video above (starting at the 26:00 mark) for how these people – myself included are fighting back.

A HUGE “Thank You” goes to those who spoke up at the September 5 VTA meeting.  A story on San Jose Spotlight has more details. A follow-up letter will be sent to VTA management inquiring on the date and time of a workshop where reallocation will be discussed.

This weekend, we will have additional tips on how people like YOU can help make public transit in Santa Clara County better for everyone.

Eugene Bradley
Founder & CEO, Silicon Valley Transit Users

Silicon Valley Transit Strike Possible?

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Riders board the VTA’s 10 FREE Airport shuttle bus in Santa Clara.

Could a public transit worker strike in Silicon Valley be on the horizon?  ATU Local 265 – the labor union representing VTA’s bus drivers, light rail operators, mechanics, and other workers will take a final vote on VTA’s “Best, Last, and Final Offer” on Wednesday.

VTA and ATU Local 265 have been in talks on a new labor contract since last August.  Talks have been at an impasse over wages, pensions, and operational efficiencies.  VTA’s latest offer was provided to ATU Local 265 on May 10.

A transit strike in Silicon Valley will affect more than 120,000 daily VTA transit riders.  More on what is going on follows…

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News Bites – June 13, 2019

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A new name for a popular bike sharing program.  A reopening date for the rebuilt Transbay Terminal is revealed.  A better group calendar. One of our members starts an online group for Highway 17 Express Bus riders.  Finally, our newest member gets commended by a San Jose City Council member.

Read on more details…

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