Category: Advocacy

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

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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VTA’s “GovDelivery” Doesn’t Always Deliver

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The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) has an alert system managed by GovDelivery. The system is supposed to alert subscribers of delays affecting any and all bus and light rail service in Santa Clara County.

Greta Helm, VTA’s Chief External Affairs Officer, was at our last group meeting last Thursday. I inquired to her specifically about this issue. Notes on that meeting will be available shortly.

It seems VTA’s implementation of GovDelivery for alerts doesn’t always tell you everything. Details on what’s going on – and how YOU can help to fix it – are available after the More… jump.

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Know Before You Board

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I encountered one woman on VTA’s 522 Rapid bus today. She was upset that the Palo Alto-bound bus did not stop at El Camino/Warburton in Santa Clara. She paid $2 for riding, and thought the bus was like the regular 22. She was surprised when I told her the bus would not stop until El Camino/Scott. It turned out she did not ask the bus driver if the 522 Rapid bus makes the stop she wanted (which it does not).

When in doubt, ask the bus driver first before boarding any bus. Part of his/her job is to know the bus stops for that route. Better yet, call VTA at (408)321-2300 (or visit their web site) before going on your bus/light rail trip. Knowing before going will save you the embarassment – and money – of missing your destination on transit.

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users

Highlights of FTA Meeting in Berkeley Last Night

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Last night, members of the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) met at UC Berkeley for a public information session on (strengthening) public transit civil rights rules.

During that meeting, FTA staff noted it was the best community turnout seen on public transit civil rights rules amongst its meetings nationwide. The last such meeting will be in Atlanta on November 17.

One FTA official at the meeting challenged regional agencies like the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) to engage “environmental justice” populations (minorities and the poor) in making public transit decisions. FTA officials also mentioned that historically low-income and minority people have been negatively affected by transit projects. FTA officials also mentioned that agencies like VTA must include the public and use public input in their transit service decision making.

This is definitely something I will get our group to strongly consider adopting, to help fight future VTA service cuts and fare hikes. More information on what FTA is doing is here.

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users