Tag: Rail

News involving Caltrain, ACE or BART that affect Silicon Valley’s quality of life.

Memorial Day Weekend Transit Update

On behalf of the Silicon Valley Transit Users, let us thank our Armed Forces on this long weekend – the traditional start of summer.

Caltrain and buses and light rail from the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) can be taken to and from many of these events. Especially on Caltrain, expect standing room only (SRO) conditions on the commuter rail service this long weekend.

There are many things going on in San Jose and Silicon Valley this weekend. From Giants baseball in San Francisco and San Jose, to FanimeCon in San Jose to Earthquakes Soccer, and even a taco festival, transit options to these and other events will be featured here. These buses and trains to and from these events help you beat traffic gridlock and parking nightmares expected at these events. These transit tips also help you avoid getting arrested for dangerous driving by local police this weekend. Details are after the More… jump

Group Meeting This Thursday

On Thursday, April 24, our next group meeting takes place at the San Jose Peace & Justice Center, 48 S. 7th Street in San Jose.

There will be follow-up on issues such as

  • The need for pedestrian, motorist and cyclist safety tips for everyone
  • VTA transit service plans for the new Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara
  • Ways YOU can help keep VTA buses and light rail running on time

There will also be a brief discussion of two political races (the San Jose Mayoral race and the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office) and how both races affect every bus and train rider in Santa Clara County.

See you on Thursday!

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users

Happy Thanksgiving!

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

Two Transit Guides Revised

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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Highlights of FTA Meeting in Berkeley Last Night

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