Tag: light rail

Power To the People

by  •  • 0 Comments

The transit riders are starting their fight back.  On September 5, more than 20 people made themselves heard at the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Board Of Directors’ meeting.  Their prime demand: reallocate 2016 Measure B funding that would have gone to highway construction, to fund increased bus and light rail service in Santa Clara County. View the video above (starting at the 26:00 mark) for how these people – myself included are fighting back.

A HUGE “Thank You” goes to those who spoke up at the September 5 VTA meeting.  A story on San Jose Spotlight has more details. A follow-up letter will be sent to VTA management inquiring on the date and time of a workshop where reallocation will be discussed.

This weekend, we will have additional tips on how people like YOU can help make public transit in Santa Clara County better for everyone.

Eugene Bradley
Founder & CEO, Silicon Valley Transit Users

Happy Independence Day!

by  •  • 0 Comments

Happy 4th Of July!

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

As a reminder, all Silicon Valley transit agencies like Caltrain and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) are running on a Sunday/Holiday schedule today.  Normal service will return tomorrow.

Meanwhile, VTA has put together a schedule matrix of bus services that will be detoured today, due to various Independence day activities.  The matrix also includes information on enhanced light rail service to fireworks shows in downtown San Jose, Great America, and Lake Almaden this evening.

Please stay safe and sane today and tonight.

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users

Silicon Valley Transit Strike Possible?

by  •  • 0 Comments

Riders board the VTA’s 10 FREE Airport shuttle bus in Santa Clara.

Could a public transit worker strike in Silicon Valley be on the horizon?  ATU Local 265 – the labor union representing VTA’s bus drivers, light rail operators, mechanics, and other workers will take a final vote on VTA’s “Best, Last, and Final Offer” on Wednesday.

VTA and ATU Local 265 have been in talks on a new labor contract since last August.  Talks have been at an impasse over wages, pensions, and operational efficiencies.  VTA’s latest offer was provided to ATU Local 265 on May 10.

A transit strike in Silicon Valley will affect more than 120,000 daily VTA transit riders.  More on what is going on follows…

Read more →

Big Biennial Budget

by  •  • 0 Comments

Inside the Santa Clara County Supervisors' chambers.

Inside the Santa Clara County Supervisors’ chambers where VTA Board Of Directors’ meetings are held.

It’s transit budget time again.  Thursday’s Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Board Of Directors meeting will be where they vote to approve – or reject – their proposed budget for the 2020 and 2021 Fiscal Year (FY).

Details on what VTA proposes – and our own alternate to fund additional, much-needed bus increases in Santa Clara County – are below.

Read more →