Tag: San Jose

Memorial Day Weekend Transit Update

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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

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Group Meeting This Thursday

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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

Fire At Former KNTV Studios Affects Three VTA Bus Lines

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An explosion and fire at the former KNTV television studios at Park and Montgomery occurred about an hour ago. As of 4:30pm, the San Jose Fire Department declared it a “five-alarm” fire.

Three (3) bus lines – VTA’s 64 and 65 bus lines, and the Highway 17 Express bus line – all run past and stop at the former studios. The explosion and resulting fire has also caused rerouting and delays on these bus lines as firefighters put out the blaze.

Two other notes: the fire is yards away from VTA light rail and railroad tracks used by Caltrain, Amtrak and Union Pacific freight. No word yet on whether or not rail services have been affected. The blaze is also across Park Avenue from the San Jose Fire Department’s training headquarters on Montgomery.

Group member David Lytton of Campbell took this photo after witnessing the explosion and resulting smoke before the blaze.

Follow @svtransitupdts for additional news on how transit info is affected by the fire, and when normal service will be restored.

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users

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