Tag: Bus

Silicon Valley local and regional bus news.

Notes From Our March 27 Meeting

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(Apologies for the delay in posting this. There have been some personal issues I have had to deal with.)

At our group meeting last Thursday, we discussed the need to get the word out on being safe as a pedestrian. This issue is in light of recent and tragic incidents such as:

More on this particular incident in a later post. Meanwhile, read and understand these safety tips from Caltrain on how to cross railroad tracks – especially if you drive a car.

We also discussed VTA’s plans for transit service to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, and a meeting in Mountain View April 9 to determine transit needs in the Palo Alto and Mountain View area. Of the latter, member Michael Ludvig recommended increased service frequency on the 51 bus line (Moffett Field-De Anza College).

Lots of catching up to do…

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users

Happy Thanksgiving!

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On behalf of the Silicon Valley Transit Users, I everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving day and long weekend.

All Silicon Valley bus and train services are running on a Sunday schedule on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday). This includes Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) bus and light rail trains, Caltrain, and the Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) train service between Stockton and San Jose.

All services are expected to return to normal service on Monday.

Follow @svtransitupdts on Twitter for all Silicon Valley public transit updates this long weekend.

Please stay safe and sane this weekend!

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users

VTA’s “GovDelivery” Doesn’t Always Deliver

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The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) has an alert system managed by GovDelivery. The system is supposed to alert subscribers of delays affecting any and all bus and light rail service in Santa Clara County.

Greta Helm, VTA’s Chief External Affairs Officer, was at our last group meeting last Thursday. I inquired to her specifically about this issue. Notes on that meeting will be available shortly.

It seems VTA’s implementation of GovDelivery for alerts doesn’t always tell you everything. Details on what’s going on – and how YOU can help to fix it – are available after the More… jump.

Read more →

Two Transit Guides Revised

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For this coming Farmers’ Market season in Silicon Valley, the Farmers’ Market transit guide has been revised. It now features more accurate Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) bus & light rail options. Information for Moveable Feast will be made available in a separate page, currently a work in progress.

Also, the Mobile Apps page was revised to point to the correct link for NextVTA on Android.

Enjoy!

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users

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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