Eugene B

Happy New Year 2015!

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On behalf of the Silicon Valley Transit Users, I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year.

Several transit New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day traditions continue today and tomorrow.

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) will have FREE bus and light rail service from 8pm New Year’s Eve until 5am New Year’s Day.

In addition, Caltrain will have FREE service system-wide from 8pm until the end of service early Thursday morning.  From 12:45am-2:15am New Year’s Day, Caltrain will have southbound service from San Francisco at 15 minutes and 45 minutes after the hour. Trains leave at the times specified above or when full, whichever is sooner.

As for Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) trains: service will run every 20 minutes until 3am Thursday morning. This service will primarily support the fireworks show on the Embarcadero in San Francisco at midnight.

Note that neither VTA, BART nor Caltrain allow alcohol aboard trains – particularly after 9pm. If found with alcohol, expect to be asked to leave the train.

Please take advantage of these transit services to avoid having to drive home in gridlock – possibly drunk. Should you still need to drive home in your automobile and you’re drunk, call AAA at 1(800)222-4357 and ask the operator for a free “Tipsy Tow” home.

Let’s all be careful out there. Have a Happy, Safe, and Sane New Year!

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users

The Evolution of “Hotel 22”

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Hotel 22 Trailer from Elizabeth Lo on Vimeo.

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA)’s 22 bus line runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. It is Santa Clara County’s only 24-hour public transit service. Because of this, the 22 bus line is infamously known as a place where homeless people who can’t obtain proper shelter end up sleeping overnight. As a result, this bus line is known amongst the homeless population as the “Hotel 22.”

More on the increase in homeless people on additional VTA bus lines and light rail – and what can be done to end homelessness in Silicon Valley – follows.

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Bus & Rail Service to Christmas Shopping This Week

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Want to beat traffic gridlock and parking hassles at shopping centers and malls this week? We have a Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) bus and light rail guide to malls and shopping centers in Santa Clara County.

We also have tips on staying safe and showing respect for other passengers aboard VTA and Caltrain as well.

Finally, make sure to follow @svtransitupdts on Twitter for the latest public transit updates. Follow these tips to help keep @svtransitupdts and others updated.

Have a safe and sane Merry Christmas. Let’s be careful out there!

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users

Weathering The Storms On VTA & Caltrain

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More rain is coming to Silicon Valley this week. Transit agencies like the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) have already made preparations for these storms. Despite these preparations, incidents such as downed trees and flooding have caused delays and rerouting on VTA buses and light rail over the last week.

Traveling on VTA buses, light rail, ACE or Caltrain this week? Below are some tips to help you travel during these storms this week. These tips are based on experience in riding buses and trains during big rainstorms and even snowstorms on the East Coast.

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Rubbing Salt In The Five Wounds Area

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After at least ten years of planning with some local residents in East San Jose, staff from the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) appeared to have turned the other cheek. It was learned on October 6 that VTA staff have proposed to stop pursuit for funding for a BART stop in the Five Wounds church area (photograph above) in East San Jose as well as a stop in Santa Clara near the Caltrain station there.

The proposal sparked outrage from East San Jose residents and local politicians. Because the community SPOKE UP against on the proposal, VTA has heard residents there and held off on further implementing their proposal. To that end, VTA will have three (3) public meetings in December to further discuss the proposed station cuts, as well as the future of the BART project. Meeting dates, times, and how to get there by bus are below:

  • Monday, December 1, 2014 from 6:30pm-8:30pm at the School of Arts and Culture at Mexican Heritage Plaza, 1700 Alum Rock Avenue, San Jose, VTA’s 22, 23, 77, and 522 Rapid bus lines serve the Mexican Heritage Plaza.
  • Tuesday, December 2, 2014 from 6:30pm-8:30pm at the VTA Customer Service Center, 55 West Santa Clara Street, San Jose, VTA’s 22, 63, 66, 68, 72, 73, 81, 82, and 522 Rapid bus lines stop near the Center. The Customer Service Center is also a 3 minute walk from the Santa Clara light rail station.
  • Tuesday, December 9 from 6:30pm-8:30pm at Santa Clara University, Locatelli Hall – Building 710
    500 El Camino Real in Santa Clara. VTA’s 22, 60, 81 and 522 Rapid bus lines serve the area.

If you care about having future BART stops in East San Jose or Santa Clara, come to either or all of these PUBLIC meetings.

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users