Category: Advocacy

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

Fight For Bike Lanes On El Camino Real In Palo Alto

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Palo Alto Mayor Liz Kniss. Photo courtesy of City Of Palo Alto.

Live in Palo Alto?  Do shopping or other business in Palo Alto?  Ride a bicycle in Palo Alto?  Andrew Boone from East Palo Alto posted this message in a Facebook group.  As a public service, I am forwarding this message here.

Do YOU want BIKE LANES on El Camino Real in Palo Alto?

Call Palo Alto Mayor Liz Kniss at 650-888-8671 and respectfully request that the “El Camino Real Complete Streets” project to re-envision the Royal Road between Stanford Avenue and Lambert Avenue to “create a safe and healthy place for pedestrians and bicyclists” be placed on an upcoming Palo Alto City Council agenda. The city won a grant in 2016 to re-design El Camino Real and has begun the public input process, but the project hasn’t ever been discussed by the City Council.

It’s important for the Palo Alto City Council to hear from the public and then discuss this project even if they are not making any decisions about it soon. We need City Council support to have any hope of achieving the project’s goals.

What do YOU think about Palo Alto creating a safe and accessible El Camino Real for people of all ages using all modes of transportation in accordance with state Complete Streets law? Do YOU think Palo Alto should follow state law, or continuing ignoring state law?

Palo Alto Mayor Liz Kniss
telephone 650-888-8671
email: liz.kniss@cityofpaloalto.org

City of Palo Alto project page has more information on the proposal.

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users

San Jose Mayor Liccardo Wants More VTA Service Cuts

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San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo wants to repeat failed history.  In his first Chairperson’s Report at the January 4 Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Board Of Directors’ meeting, he advocated for further reductions in VTA transit service to help close a $20 million operating deficit this fiscal year, and a $26 million operating deficit in 2019.  He announced the formation of a committee to address VTA’s structural operating deficit, and provide solutions.  The gist of Mayor Liccardo’s comments start at the 2:00 mark of the audio clip above.

Learn more about how this service cut strategy fails to resolve any VTA operating deficit – and what YOU can proactively do to change history in your favor – below.

Read more →

December 7, 2017 VTA Board Of Directors’ Meeting Highlights

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The last Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Board Of Directors’ meeting of 2017 took place on December 7.  There, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo was voted unopposed as the VTA Board Of Directors’ Chair for 2018.  Also, Santa Clara City Councilmember Teresa O’Neill was voted 9-2 over Cupertino’s Sadia Vaidhyanathan for Vice Chair in 2018.

You can view all four hours of the last VTA Board Of Directors’ meeting of 2017 here.  Or, read on for a summary of what was decided at this VTA Board Of Directors’ meeting.

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Last VTA Board Of Directors’ Meeting On Thursday

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This year, the last VTA Board Of Directors‘ meeting for 2017 will start at 5:30pm. Note that it is not the normal 9am or other morning time, due to other meetings in the County around that time. A welcome and refreshing break from previous years.

Amongst what will be voted on at Thursday’s VTA Board Of Directors’ meeting:

  • A new Chair and Vice Chair will be elected for 2018
  • A $760,000 contract for modifying VTA light rail ticket machines to dispense new Clipper Cards
  • A $3.243 million contract for certifying paratransit services
  • A resolution for VTA to create a “Complete Streets” policy
  • A policy for “commuter shuttle” rules and regulations at VTA bus stops and transit centers

The Palo Alto Daily Post reported that current VTA Board Chair Jeannie Bruins of Los Altos will be replaced next year by Mountain View City Council member John McAlister.  McAlister will represent the Palo Alto, Mountain View, Los Altos, and Los Altos Hills on the VTA Board of Directors.

Read the full 744-page agenda packet for tomorrow’s VTA Board Of Directors’ meeting.  Or, read one condensed version of the agenda packet I put together featuring the items mentioned above.

Also, were you affected by the lack of extra bus and rail service for the Pac-12 Football Championship Game at Levi’s Stadium last Friday?  Come speak up about it at Thursday’s VTA Board of Directors’ meeting, in the Public Comment time period at the beginning of the meeting.

WHEN: Thursday at 5:30pm
WHERE: County Supervisors’ Chambers at the County Government Center, 70 W. Hedding St. (at North 1st Street), San Jose.
GETTING THERE: Government Center is 1 block north of Civic Center light rail station. Take VTA’s 61, 62, 66 or 181 express bus lines to Civic Center light rail station, then walk 1 block north to the County Government Center.  Read the map detailing the Government Center area for additional information.

See you on Thursday.

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users

Next Group Meeting Next Sunday In Cupertino

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Instead of our usual group meeting in San Jose this coming Thursday, let’s instead meet on a Sunday afternoon in Cupertino.  There, Better Cupertino will host a public meeting on regional planning, and what must be done to solve the Bay Area’s transportation, housing, and infrastructure maintenance needs.

Register for the FREE meeting here.  This will give the hosts a proper headcount.

WHEN: Sunday, October 29th from 3pm-5pm
WHERE: Cupertino Community Hall, 10350 Torre Ave. (between Rodrigues Ave. and Pacifica Dr.), Cupertino
GETTING THERE: Cupertino Community Hall is 1.5 blocks south of Stevens Creek Blvd. and S. De Anza Blvd. It’s a 5-10 minute walk from VTA’s 55 bus line at S. De Anza Blvd and Sunrise Dr. It’s also a 10-15 minute walk from the VTA’s 23 and 323 limited stop bus lines at Stevens Creek Blvd. and S. De Anza Blvd.

I’ll see you all on October 29 in Cupertino.

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users