Category: Advocacy

Our (and other) transit advocacy efforts in Silicon Valley.

Happy New Year 2025

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"Happy New Year" text center-right justified among blue and red fireworks, on a dark blue background.

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

On New Year’s Eve (Tuesday) at 8pm, FREE transit fare will be in effect for Caltrain, SamTrans, and all Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) bus and rail service. This will be until 3am for Caltrain and SamTrans, and 5am for VTA the next day.

On New Year’s Day (Wednesday), these and other transit agencies will run on a Sunday/Holiday schedule. Normal service and transit fares return on Thursday.

Expect law enforcement on the roads tonight and tomorrow morning. They will be on the lookout for those driving intoxicated (DUI) and/or speeding. Before you go out drinking and then drive, consider these minimum costs:

  • DUI arrest & conviction: $10,000
  • Funeral $8,500-$10,000
  • Uber/Lyft/Taxicab: $50
  • Caltrain or VTA bus/light rail ride from 8pm tonight until 5am New Year’s Day: FREE

Think about it. Choose wisely, and stay safe tonight and tomorrow morning. Happy New Year!

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users

More News Coming Up

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I have personally been away on management training on my day job. It’s why things have not been updated in the timely manner you have expected over the last few months. There are a lot of things to talk about, in regard to

  • current BART Phase II (San Jose-Santa Clara)
  • Upcoming public meetings by VTA for input from YOU for its future (particularly South County)
  • Awards recently won by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) and SamTrans
  • An opportunity for YOU to help VTA on a committee responsible for banning problem transit riders

and more, will be posted here, as soon as possible. Thank you, readers, for your patience at this time.

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users

Super Bowl LVIII Local Party Transit Guide

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Super Bowl LVIII logo with San Francisco and Kansas City team logos on the left and right, respectively.
Image courtesy foxsports.com

The stage is set for Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas for Super Bowl LVIII.  Can’t make it to the rematch of the Big Game between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs?  There are local parties at bars, clubs, and restaurants throughout Santa Clara County – and beyond. Read on for more details.

Read more →

Help Advise VTA & San Jose On Public Transit

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Several people are seated aboard a VTA bus moving within the City of San Jose. Seats have grey backs. Camera faces front of bus.
Several people are seated aboard a VTA bus moving within the City of San Jose.

Diane Solomon, host and producer at KKUP-FM in San Jose, informed us of an opportunity for you to help make public transit better in San Jose. The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is still looking for someone who lives or works in San Jose to serve as a voice for public transit on its Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC).

As a BPAC member, you will have the ear of key decision-makers at VTA at staff level.

You would representing the City of San Jose as a public transit rider, as a member of VTA’s BPAC. The city committee’s next meeting to discuss this is this coming Monday at 6pm.  More details on what is required for you to be a representative on this committee, follow.

Read more →

Keep Up the (State) Pressure

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Protesters at a mock funeral for public transit in front of San Francisco City Hall June 3.

Current status of public transit in Governor Gavin Newsom’s state budget proposal: not good. Unfortunately, the most recent budget proposals voted on by the legislature currently do not provide nearly enough funding to meet the need to prevent transit cuts and regrow ridership. This would force transit agencies like Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and Caltrain to choose between preventing service cuts and important capital priorities, and would abandon $6 billion ($6,000,000,000) in federal matching funds.

Senator Scott Wiener is working hard to address this situation. Here’s more from Senator Wiener:

Read our prior article on this situation for further background.

Next, read more on what YOU can do between now and Monday to help Senator Wiener and others change that.

Read more →