Tag: Santa Clara County

Issues affecting all of Santa Clara County.

Happy Independence Day!

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?

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…

News Bites – June 13, 2019

A new name for a popular bike sharing program.  A reopening date for the rebuilt Transbay Terminal is revealed.  A better group calendar. One of our members starts an online group for Highway 17 Express Bus riders.  Finally, our newest member gets commended by a San Jose City Council member.

Read on more details…

Big Biennial Budget

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.

Here We Go Again…

More service cuts to public transit may be coming to Silicon Valley.  The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) will discuss a proposal to further reduce bus and light rail service at its first Board Of Directors’ meeting of 2019 this Thursday at 5:30pm in San Jose.

WHEN: Thursday, January 10 at 5:30pm
WHERE: Auditorium at VTA Headquarters, 3331 N. First Street, San Jose
GETTING THERE: Take VTA Light Rail to the River Oaks station.  VTA’s headquarters is on the west (airport) side of N. First Street, in the back of the Park and Ride lot.

Tips for how to be heard at any VTA Board meeting or workshop can be mastered here.

Our group has obtained details on what the VTA Board Of Directors will discuss at Thursday evening’s meeting. Details are below.