Category: Group News

News about and featuring the Silicon Valley Transit Users.

Never Forget 5/26

2 VTA light rail trains stopped at Santa Teresa station. Both trains are white, with the blue VTA logo with mask at the front. Camera is on the platfrom facing both stopped train cars.
Two VTA light rail cars parked at Santa Teresa Light Rail Station. Picture taken 5/28/2021.

May 26, 2021 is a day that will live in local, Silicon Valley infamy. At around 6:30am, a mass shooting took place at the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Guadalupe light rail yard in San Jose. Nine (9) light rail employees were shot to death. The shooter ultimately turned the gun on himself, committing suicide.

Here’s how it was reported here. The report also includes VTA Radio communication as the tragedy occurred. Listen to the audio at your own discretion.

I will personally visit the offices of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265 as well as VTA headquarters today, to pay respects on behalf of our group.

Where were you on the morning of May 26, 2021? How are you remembering the tragedy that took place? Please comment below.

More later on today.

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users

Catching Up On Things

Hello. This is Eugene Bradley, Founder of the Silicon Valley Transit Users.

I’ve had several emergencies come up on my day job over the last few months requiring my attention. This is why you haven’t seen any updates here recently, beyond public transit outages.

Now that those emergencies have subsided, here are some stories I’m working on right now:

  • How some transit agencies in the Bay Area – and nationwide – will soon run out of money to run buses and trains. This story will also include how YOU can help make things better for these agencies, at the California state level.
  • How some San Jose-area public transit projects received money from the state and federal government recently. This will also include local transit projects not talked about in the local press.
  • How the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) wants input from YOU to help improve bus stops throughout Santa Clara County. This also includes some ideas I personally have on how this can be done.
  • What our group – and others – have done recently to help further improve public transit in Santa Clara County.

Stay tuned for these articles – and more as needed – in the coming weeks.

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users

Happy New Year 2022!

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.

Major VTA Service Changes On Dec. 28

Back In Action – and More…

On behalf of the Silicon Valley Transit Users, I want to thank our fallen members of our Armed Forces on Memorial Day. Without your sacrifice, none of us would be able to enjoy the freedoms in our republic we enjoy right now.

Let’s also thank Andrew Boone, Monica Mallon, and Judy Purrington for helping to keep the group running behind the scenes  They haven’t had time to formally help update the web site; hence why you have not seen any updates on here from them.

Personal issues I described previously resolved (for now), I want to address some Silicon Valley and other public transit issues. Read more below.