Category: Transit Guides

Silicon Valley transit tips and guides where appropriate.

Coming Up…

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Sir Paul McCartney – Coming Up (Official Music Video – 1980)

A good theme for several things that will be coming up here, over the next week, regarding our Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) advocacy and watchdog work.

  • Video showing riders how to board VTA light rail trains with their bicycle
  • Video documenting my personal trip to Viva Calle San Jose on May 1
  • Our group’s position on a VTA governance reform bill in the California State Legislature

and more. This as we continue to mourn the recent passing of Norman Y. Mineta – one of Santa Clara County’s first mass transit advocates as Mayor of San Jose, and U.S. Secretary of Transportation during 9/11.

Meanwhile, are you are someone you know going to the Coldplay concert Sunday night at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara? VTA will have extra bus and light rail service taking you to and from the concert.

Have a nice weekend, and stay safe.

Eugene Bradley
Founder & CEO, Silicon Valley Transit Users

BEATING TRAFFIC: Transit To Today’s Big Games

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photo courtesy gostanford.com

The Big Game is at Stanford Stadium today – pandemic and all. At 4pm today, Stanford hosts Cal in the annual Big Game for The Axe at Stanford Stadium at 4pm.

Our transit guide to Stanford Stadium details Caltrain, VTA rapid bus, and SamTrans bus options to and from today’s Big Game.

Meanwhile, in San Jose, there is a pro hockey doubleheader today. At 1:15pm face-off time, the San Jose Barracuda host the San Diego Gulls in AHL action. Afterward, at 7:30pm, the San Jose Sharks host the Washington Capitals in NHL action.

Our transit guide to SAP Center mentions VTA bus, light rail, and Caltrain transit options to and from the games.

When used, all of these bus and rail options help you beat traffic, parking headaches, and potential road rage incidents to and from the games.

Not sure how to ride and pay fare on VTA buses or light rail? There’s a guide for that, too.

Have a nice day, and stay safe. More tomorrow…

Eugene Bradley
Founder & CEO, Silicon Valley Transit Users

Weekend Update – 10/23/2021

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Let’s get together Saturday at noon to help the drivers who have helped us in the pandemic. There will be a rally at San Jose City Hall at noon to demand “hazard pay” for bus drivers and light rail operators who kept us moving during the pandemic.

Several Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) bus lines stop at San Jose City Hall for the rally. Also, San Jose City Hall is only two blocks from and a 5 minute walk from the Santa Clara (Street) light rail station. VTA buses like the 22, 522 Rapid, 523 Rapid, 64A, 64B, 72, and 73 stop in front of San Jose City Hall for today’s rally.

Not sure how to ride and pay for your VTA bus or light rail ride? Our guide shows you how. Also, given heavy rain expected on Sunday, here are tips on how to ride buses or trains during the inclement weather.

Note that this guide is being provided as a public service, and is not affiliated with any public transit agency mentioned here. This is one of several events this weekend that you can take Silicon Valley’s public transit system to and from. More information on these events follow.

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Weekend Transit Update – 9/11/2021

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First, let’s pay homage to those who perished during and after the horrific events of September 11, 2001. Let’s make sure we never forget this date, nor those who perished.

This Sunday, light rail service returns to South San Jose. The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) will restore light rail service on the Blue Line between Santa Teresa, downtown San Jose, and Baypointe stations on Sunday morning. This will occur more than three months after that portion of light rail was shut down since the shootings of May 26 at Guadalupe Rail Yard.

Our group has also learned that VTA will extend FREE fares on light rail only, until September 30.

Light rail riders of the Green line between Campbell and downtown San Jose still have no current date for the return of light rail service. In the mean time, read our alternate bus guide to the light rail shutdown and learn how bus lines like the 60, 61, and 523 Rapid serve as an alternate to light rail service in that area.

Read on for more to do via public transit in Silicon Valley this weekend.

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Bus Alternatives For VTA Light Rail

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Light rail service in Santa Clara County is still down. The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) continues to suspend all light rail service after the shootings at Guadalupe Yard May 26. VTA briefly ran shuttle buses in the place of light rail from May 27 until June 1, until limited shuttle bus service was restored August 2. There is currently no ETA for when light rail service will be restored.

Meanwhile, here are some tips for you to use VTA bus (and Caltrain) service that parallels light rail.

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