Eugene B

Happy Memorial Day 2022

by  • 

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

Coming Up…

by  • 

Sir Paul McCartney – Coming Up (Official Music Video – 1980)

A good theme for several things that will be coming up here, over the next week, regarding our Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) advocacy and watchdog work.

  • Video showing riders how to board VTA light rail trains with their bicycle
  • Video documenting my personal trip to Viva Calle San Jose on May 1
  • Our group’s position on a VTA governance reform bill in the California State Legislature

and more. This as we continue to mourn the recent passing of Norman Y. Mineta – one of Santa Clara County’s first mass transit advocates as Mayor of San Jose, and U.S. Secretary of Transportation during 9/11.

Meanwhile, are you are someone you know going to the Coldplay concert Sunday night at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara? VTA will have extra bus and light rail service taking you to and from the concert.

Have a nice weekend, and stay safe.

Eugene Bradley
Founder & CEO, Silicon Valley Transit Users

VTA Reform Back On the Table

by  • 

“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.

Read more →

Full Blue Line LRT Service Restored

by  • 

At 7:14pm, Customer Service at the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) reported that overheard wire work between Tamien and Children’s Discovery Museum stations has completed.

At this time, VTA light rail is serving Tamien, Virginia, and Children’s Discovery Museum stations in both directions. The shuttle buses serving all but Virginia station have stopped running.

Our group will have much to do this week. More information will be posted later tonight showing how YOU can help make public transit better in Silicon Valley.

Eugene Bradley
Founder & CEO, Silicon Valley Transit Users

Happy New Year 2022!

by  • 

image courtesy wallpapertag.com

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

Public transit in the Bay Area will be set up to take you to parties and back safely. Starting at 8pm, San Francisco MUNI, SamTrans, Caltrain, and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) buses will have FREE fares. Also, BART will have extended service throughout the system.

If you must go out and drink tonight, don’t drive. Also, don’t get in a car when the driver has been drinking or is in any way intoxicated.

Where possible, take public transit. If you can’t take public transit, get a cab or ride-hailing company to take you home.

Expect law enforcement throughout the Bay Area on patrol. Expect them to be ready to take you to their bars, should you get caught drinking and driving. Their bars are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Law enforcement’s bars are NOT the kind you want to get taken to. It can cost you up to $10,000 or more in legal fees and court costs. This in addition to having your driving privileges legally suspended.

Let’s not read about how someone was arrested, hurt, or even killed because they got behind the wheel while intoxicated. Especially when public transit was available to help take them home.

If you’re going out tonight, please stay safe and sane. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Eugene Bradley
Founder & CEO, Silicon Valley Transit Users

Disclaimer: links here are for informational purposes, and not actual endorsements of businesses hosting them.