Tag: silicon valley

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

Sunday Funday In Downtown San Jose

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Video highlights of the Viva Calle San Jose event on May 1.

Major streets in, west of, and north of downtown San Jose will only be open to pedestrians and bicyclists today. From 10am-3pm today, Viva Calle San Jose takes place.

Information on public transit to and from this event – and how your service will be affected – is below.

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Status Quo Fears Change

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Video of the June 2, 2022 VTA Board Of Directors’ meeting.

Last Thursday’s Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Board Of Directors‘ meeting had some interesting actions approved. The last of the actions approved should not come as a surprise to those who have followed us since 2001.

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Happy Memorial Day 2022

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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

VTA Reform Back On the Table

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“The time is always right to do the right thing.”

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Remember efforts last year on Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) governance reform via AB 1091?  VTA reform is back in play again in the State Legislature, thanks to California State Assembly Member Marc Berman.

Assembly Member Berman will have a town hall to discuss this new effort at VTA Governance Reform.  That town hall takes place on Wednesday from 6pm-7pm.  Speakers at the Town Hall will include:

  • Current VTA Board Chair and San Jose Vice Mayor Charles “Chappie” Jones
  • Former VTA Board member and current Santa Clara City Council member Teresa O’Neill
  • Amalgamated Transportation Union (ATU) Local 265 President & Business Agent John Courtney

RSVP to make yourself part of that town hall Wednesday evening at 6pm.

Afterward, read more on why we continue to support governance reform at VTA.

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