Tag: Bus

Silicon Valley local and regional bus news.

Know Before You Board

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I encountered one woman on VTA’s 522 Rapid bus today. She was upset that the Palo Alto-bound bus did not stop at El Camino/Warburton in Santa Clara. She paid $2 for riding, and thought the bus was like the regular 22. She was surprised when I told her the bus would not stop until El Camino/Scott. It turned out she did not ask the bus driver if the 522 Rapid bus makes the stop she wanted (which it does not).

When in doubt, ask the bus driver first before boarding any bus. Part of his/her job is to know the bus stops for that route. Better yet, call VTA at (408)321-2300 (or visit their web site) before going on your bus/light rail trip. Knowing before going will save you the embarassment – and money – of missing your destination on transit.

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users

Highlights of FTA Meeting in Berkeley Last Night

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Last night, members of the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) met at UC Berkeley for a public information session on (strengthening) public transit civil rights rules.

During that meeting, FTA staff noted it was the best community turnout seen on public transit civil rights rules amongst its meetings nationwide. The last such meeting will be in Atlanta on November 17.

One FTA official at the meeting challenged regional agencies like the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) to engage “environmental justice” populations (minorities and the poor) in making public transit decisions. FTA officials also mentioned that historically low-income and minority people have been negatively affected by transit projects. FTA officials also mentioned that agencies like VTA must include the public and use public input in their transit service decision making.

This is definitely something I will get our group to strongly consider adopting, to help fight future VTA service cuts and fare hikes. More information on what FTA is doing is here.

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users

We Meet This Thursday in San Jose!

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Our group’s next meeting takes place this Thursday at 6pm.

WHERE: San Jose Peace & Justice Center, 49 S. 7th St. (Off E. Santa Clara St.), San Jose.
GETTING THERE: VTA’s 22, 23, 64 and 522 Rapid bus lines stop 50 yards from the Center. It’s 1/2 block frm San Jose State University and the 72, 73 and Highway 17 Express bus lines.

Agenda:
We will discuss the following at Thursday’s meeting:

  • VTA bus rapid transit (BRT) projects for El Camino Real & Alum Rock
  • The current status of transportation reauthorization in Congress

Any other concerns you have can and must be brought up first.

See you this Thursday!

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Tranit Users

Caltrain & VTA Service Update

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As of 2pm, all Caltran service to and from San Francisco has been restored. Service was suspeded due to time overruns from a bridge replacement in San Francisco.

At 2:45pm, VTA paged us that service on the 26 bus line in San Jose on Curtner between Highway 87 and Monterey Highway is affected by a street closure. Passengers need to board the 26 at either Monterey/Curtner or Curtner light rail station.

Finally, service on VTA’s 35 bus line in downtown Mountain View is running 10 minutes late due to street repaving on Vila Street.

Weekend Update-Sept. 16, 2011

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This is your Silicon Valley transit update for the weekend of September 16, 2011. This guide will cover Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) bus, light rail, and Caltrain service to the following events this weekend:

  • California Home & Garden Show in San Mateo
  • Football games for the San Jose State Spartans, Cal Bears and San Francisco 49ers
  • San Jose Sharks training sessions at Sharks Ice @ San Jose
  • American Indian Powwow & Market in San Jose

Read more →