Category: Watchdog

Our efforts in monitoring the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority with reports on where transit funding comes from and where it (doesn’t) go.

Cleanup Time

Read on about how the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is ensuing its personnel, buses, and light rail vehicles are kept clean and safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reeling In the “Rail Big Fish”

This post is in response to an article in Metro Silicon Valley on allegations of cronyism on a project VTA is doing design work on.  That project involves the renovation and modern redesign of San Jose Diridon train station, served by VTA buses, light rail, Amtrak, Caltrain, intercity bus services.  The station will serve as a stop for California High-Speed Rail in the future..  VTA just gave its response to the article, denying the allegations.

Note that the post is NOT an indication of any group position on the matter.  This is simply my take on the latest local transit news.

This Thursday, Sam Comes To Our Club

The Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Board Chair will see some of his managers this week.  San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo – also VTA Board Chair this year – will be our guest at our group’s upcoming meeting this Thursday in San Jose. 

TIME/DATE: Thursday, April 26 at 6pm
PLACE: San Jose Peace & Justice Center, 48 S. 7th Street (between Santa Clara and San Fernando Streets), San Jose
GETTING THERE: Many VTA bus lines like the 22, 522 Rapid, 72, 73 and Highway 17 Express stop near the Peace and Justice Center.  There is limited bicycle and automobile parking behind the building, so it’s advisable to take public transit to and from the building.  There is also wheelchair access behind the building.

The agenda and a toll-free dial-in number to the meeting follow…

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.

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.