Eugene B

SAP Center Wants More Traffic Gridlock Near San Jose Diridon Train Station

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SAP Center Parking Lot Full 
Courtesy Streetsblog San Francisco

Our group has learned from Streetsblog San Francisco that SAP Center – which owns the arena across from San Jose Diridon Caltrain Station – wants to build parking space for 20,000 more vehicles to support visitors for arena events.

The request comes on the heels of a San Jose City Council vote on the Diridon Train Station Area Plan. The plan aims to guide future development of the area surrounding the SAP Center and San Jose Diridon Train Station on the west side of downtown San Jose toward additional and future use of public transit, walking, and bicycling as an alternative to driving.

SAP Center management, in a letter to San Jose City Council, is not confident that 30 years of transit improvements around the arena neighborhood will bring additional visitors to the arena. This is why they want to build 20,000 more parking spaces in the area.

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Memorial Day Weekend Transit Update

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On behalf of the Silicon Valley Transit Users, let us thank our Armed Forces on this long weekend – the traditional start of summer.

Caltrain and buses and light rail from the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) can be taken to and from many of these events. Especially on Caltrain, expect standing room only (SRO) conditions on the commuter rail service this long weekend.

There are many things going on in San Jose and Silicon Valley this weekend. From Giants baseball in San Francisco and San Jose, to FanimeCon in San Jose to Earthquakes Soccer, and even a taco festival, transit options to these and other events will be featured here. These buses and trains to and from these events help you beat traffic gridlock and parking nightmares expected at these events. These transit tips also help you avoid getting arrested for dangerous driving by local police this weekend. Details are after the More… jump

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How YOU Can Help VTA Run On Time More Often

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By now, you’ve heard all the stories about traffic increases in Silicon Valley and its effects on local quality of life. Their ongoing affect on Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) buses and light rail in Silicon Valley has proven to be one factor in their declining on-time rate. You experience it as your bus or light rail train running later than schedule, causing you to be late for work, school, or other commitments.

More information – and how YOU can help buses and light rail in Silicon Valley run on-time – are below.

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Group Meeting This Thursday

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On Thursday, April 24, our next group meeting takes place at the San Jose Peace & Justice Center, 48 S. 7th Street in San Jose.

There will be follow-up on issues such as

  • The need for pedestrian, motorist and cyclist safety tips for everyone
  • VTA transit service plans for the new Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara
  • Ways YOU can help keep VTA buses and light rail running on time

There will also be a brief discussion of two political races (the San Jose Mayoral race and the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office) and how both races affect every bus and train rider in Santa Clara County.

See you on Thursday!

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users

Fire At Former KNTV Studios Affects Three VTA Bus Lines

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An explosion and fire at the former KNTV television studios at Park and Montgomery occurred about an hour ago. As of 4:30pm, the San Jose Fire Department declared it a “five-alarm” fire.

Three (3) bus lines – VTA’s 64 and 65 bus lines, and the Highway 17 Express bus line – all run past and stop at the former studios. The explosion and resulting fire has also caused rerouting and delays on these bus lines as firefighters put out the blaze.

Two other notes: the fire is yards away from VTA light rail and railroad tracks used by Caltrain, Amtrak and Union Pacific freight. No word yet on whether or not rail services have been affected. The blaze is also across Park Avenue from the San Jose Fire Department’s training headquarters on Montgomery.

Group member David Lytton of Campbell took this photo after witnessing the explosion and resulting smoke before the blaze.

Follow @svtransitupdts for additional news on how transit info is affected by the fire, and when normal service will be restored.

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users