Category: Advocacy

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

WIN: Diridon Station Area Plan Passes

Last Tuesday (June 17), the San Jose City Council unanimously passed the Diridion Station Area Plan. The approved plan strengthens requirements for SAP Center to help reduce demand for driving to and from the Diridion Station area, especially during events.

Our group wrote a letter to the San Jose City Council urging them to ensure the area surrounding San Jose Diridion Station remains planned for access via trains, buses, bicycling and walking. Our letter, along with others from concerned citizens, also opposed plans by the SAP Center to have up to 20,000 additional parking spaces in the Diridon Station parking area.

Additional details on the approved San Jose Diridion Station Area Plan will be mentioned here as soon as more information is available.

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users

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

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.

Memorial Day Weekend Transit Update

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

How YOU Can Help VTA Run On Time More Often

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.