Tag: light rail

BEATING TRAFFIC: Transit To Today’s Big Games

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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

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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.

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Weekend Transit Update – 9/18/2021

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Nearly four (4) months after the horrific shootings of May 26, full light rail service returns to Silicon Valley. Earlier Saturday morning, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) restored light rail service on the Winchester line, between San Jose and Campbell.

According to VTA, FREE fares on the entire light rail system will continue until September 30.

Also, on Sunday in downtown San Jose…

VTA informs us that popular buses like the 22, 64A, 64B, and 522 Rapid will not serve downtown San Jose on Sunday to accommodate Viva Calle San Jose. Check VTA’s Service Alerts page for more details on how bus and light rail service in downtown San Jose will be affected by Viva Calle San Jose.

Learn more about what Viva Calle San Jose is here.

Have a nice weekend, everyone.

Eugene Bradley
Founder & CEO, Silicon Valley Transit Users

Weekend Transit Update – 9/11/2021

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First, let’s pay homage to those who perished during and after the horrific events of September 11, 2001. Let’s make sure we never forget this date, nor those who perished.

This Sunday, light rail service returns to South San Jose. The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) will restore light rail service on the Blue Line between Santa Teresa, downtown San Jose, and Baypointe stations on Sunday morning. This will occur more than three months after that portion of light rail was shut down since the shootings of May 26 at Guadalupe Rail Yard.

Our group has also learned that VTA will extend FREE fares on light rail only, until September 30.

Light rail riders of the Green line between Campbell and downtown San Jose still have no current date for the return of light rail service. In the mean time, read our alternate bus guide to the light rail shutdown and learn how bus lines like the 60, 61, and 523 Rapid serve as an alternate to light rail service in that area.

Read on for more to do via public transit in Silicon Valley this weekend.

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Labor Day Weekend Transit Update

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A little more Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) light rail service was restored today. Starting today, and until further notice:

  • No more substitute bus service on the Blue line.  Instead, light rail trains will run on the Blue line will only run between Baypointe station and Children’s Discovery Museum station in downtown San Jose.
  • As for the Green Line: light rail service will only run between Old Ironsides station and San Jose Diridon Station.
  • Light rail service on all three currently running lines (Orange, Blue, Green) will run every 20 minutes on weekdays, and every 30 minutes weeknights, evenings, and holidays.
  • Service on the rest of the Blue and Green lines will be announced at a later date.  Per the statement from CEO/General Manager Carolyn Gonot at the September 5 VTA Board meeting, this is due to being short-staffed in terms of being able to make repairs to and inspect the lines.

Do you or someone you know live or work in Campbell or South San Jose and normally use VTA light rail? Please read our VTA alternate bus guide for light rail service. It lists VTA bus lines like the 60, 64A, 66 and 68, and how they can be used in place of light rail service until those parts of the line are fully restored. Yes, the trips are longer. Yes, you will need to adapt your travel accordingly. Please remember: all of this is temporary.

On Saturday at 7pm, the San Jose Earthquakes host the Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer action on the pitch of PayPal Park. Read our revised transit guide for PayPal Park. It shows how VTA’s 60 bus line directly serves PayPal Park, and how the pitch is within walking distance of the Santa Clara Transit Center and Rail Station.

Finally, on Labor Day (September 6) all Silicon Valley transit agencies will be running a Sunday/Holiday schedule. Normal weekday service will return on Tuesday, September 7. Please plan your trips accordingly.

Thank you, and please stay safe this Labor Day weekend.

Eugene Bradley
Founder & CEO, Silicon Valley Transit Users