Tag: Santa Clara County

Issues affecting all of Santa Clara County.

Help VTA Speed Up Light Rail in Downtown San Jose

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VTA light rail train car.
Santa Teresa-bound VTA light rail car along 2nd Street in downtown San Jose.

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) proposes speed up light rail service in downtown San Jose. In their proposal, VTA proposes to move southbound light rail tracks from 2nd Street to 1st Street, and eliminate St. James Park station. Read more about VTA’s proposal here.

VTA has a survey where they seek input from YOU on the proposal. The survey only takes 5-10 minutes to complete. Fill out that survey here. Note the survey expires October 10.

Should the proposal go through, it will go thru environmental clearance this winter. From there, it is expected to be voted on by the VTA Board of Directors sometime next year.

What are your thoughts and ideas on what VTA is proposing? Please comment and suggest.

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users

Help VTA With Its Future On Thursday

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This Thursday, VTA is having a public Open House in San Jose on its long-term Strategic Plan for 2026. The Open House will be at Roosevelt Community Center, 901 E. Santa Clara St, San Jose from 6pm-8pm.
VTA’s 22 and 23 bus lines stop within a short walk of the Community Center.

What to Expect at the Open House:

  • Meet VTA planners & staff from different departments
  • Share feedback on future bus, rail & bike projects
  • Explore a real VTA bus parked out front
  • Free refreshments + prize drawing
  • Spanish & Vietnamese language support

Everyone is welcome at this free open house. No matter if you’re a daily VTA rider, a transit advocate, or simply curious about VTA’s plans, come meet VTA staff and get involved.

Can’t make the meeting? Call VTA Community Outreach at (408)321-7575 during normal business hours.

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users

Independence Day 2025 Transit Guide

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Happy 4th of July written in red, on the middle white portion of a 3-D USA flag.
Happy Fourth Of July for 2025.

The Fourth of July this year is on a Friday, hence making for an Independence Day weekend. To help celebrate Independence Day throughout Santa Clara County this long weekend, there will be lots of activities. On the night of July 4, there will also be fireworks displays. Some events will even have fireworks on the next night, July 5. Unless otherwise indicated, these fireworks displays are FREE for all to attend.

On Friday, July 4, all public transit agencies serving Santa Clara County will run on a Sunday/Holiday schedule. This includes but is not limited to:

Normal public transit weekday service returns on Monday.

Read on for details of VTA bus, light rail, and Caltrain service to and from Fourth of July events. This guide will also cover other events not related to Independence Day celebrations, that will happen this long weekend. Note that screen shots showing walking distance and paths from fireworks shows to transit stops are courtesy of Google Maps.

Read more →

Memorial Day 2025 Weekend Transit Update

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Happy Memorial Day!
Happy Memorial Day!

On this long weekend, let’s make time to honor and mourn those who have fallen while serving in our nation’s Armed Forces. Memorial Day also marks the unofficial start of summer.

On Monday, all transit agencies serving Silicon Valley will run on a Sunday/Holiday schedule. This includes but is not limited to

Also, on Monday, there is no Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) rail service between Stockton and San Jose.

All public transit service returns to normal schedule Tuesday, May 27.

Read on for transit guides to some sporting events and festivals in Santa Clara County, on this long Memorial Day weekend.

Read more →

ETAs for VTA Light Rail Return

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Just learned that Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) light rail service returns this week after workers went on strike for over two weeks. Estimated schedule of when train lines return to service:

Also, reports of two copper thefts during the strike have also played a role in delaying its service return. Meanwhile, labor negotiations between VTA and ATU Local 265 will continue, despite lack of a contract. Some quick reminders on light rail:

  • Orange line trains run round-trip between Mountain View, Old Ironsides (for connection to the Green Line) Baypointe (for connections to the Blue Line), Milpitas (BART connection), and Alum Rock in East San Jose
  • Blue Line trains run round-trip between Baypointe in North San Jose, downtown San Jose, and Santa Teresa in South San Jose.
  • Green Line trains run round-trip between Old Ironsides in Santa Clara, downtown San Jose, and Winchester in Campbell.

What are your thoughts on VTA bus and light rail service returning after the strike? Discuss in comments below.

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users