Category: Transit Guides

Silicon Valley transit tips and guides where appropriate.

Transit Options To July 4 Fireworks

July 4, 2022 Fireworks Schedule
July 4, 2022 Fireworks Schedule. Courtesy County Supervisor Joe Simitian.

As Santa Clara County – and our nation – still slowly recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, more public events are returning. As you can see from the poster above, public July 4 fireworks shows are one such event. Many transit agencies serving Silicon Valley, such as the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), Caltrain, and BART, will be running a Sunday/Holiday Schedule on Monday, July 4.

Sunday Funday In Downtown San Jose

Video highlights of the Viva Calle San Jose event on May 1.

Major streets in, west of, and north of downtown San Jose will only be open to pedestrians and bicyclists today. From 10am-3pm today, Viva Calle San Jose takes place.

Information on public transit to and from this event – and how your service will be affected – is below.

Coming Up…

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

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

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.