Category: News

San Jose Mayor Liccardo Wants More VTA Service Cuts

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.

Happy New Year!

On behalf of the Silicon Valley Transit Users, I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year.

To help you travel to and from your New Year’s Eve party, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), Caltrain, SamTrans, and San Francisco’s MUNI will have FREE service from 8pm Sunday until 5am Monday.  Until 3am Monday morning, BART will run trains every 20 minutes, especially in support of fireworks show on the San Francisco waterfront at midnight.

All Bay Area transit agencies will run a Sunday/Holiday schedule on New Year’s Day (January 1).

On New Year’s Day, there will be numerous fare and service changes on a couple of Bay Area transit agencies.  Read on for more details.

Merry Christmas!

On behalf of the Silicon Valley Transit Users, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas today.

In case you did not know: all Silicon Valley transit agencies (VTA, Caltrain, SamTrans et al.) are running a Sunday/Holiday schedule today.  Regular weekday service will return tomorrow.

If you must travel today, please be careful out there.  Once again, Merry Christmas.

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users

December 7, 2017 VTA Board Of Directors’ Meeting Highlights

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.

Last VTA Board Of Directors’ Meeting On Thursday

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