Tag: silicon valley

VTA Quarterly Service Changes Effective Monday

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The new year has good news for bus riders in Silicon Valley. On January 5th, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) will add Sunday service on the 323 limited stop bus line between San Jose and De Anza College in Cupertino. VTA will also add more weekday and Saturday bus service on the 323 as well.

Amongst other service changes VTA will implement on January 5th:

  • Rerouting on the 77 bus line in northern San Jose to support construction of the BART extension along its normal route.
  • Having the 17 Community Bus route end at the Social Services center on Tompkins Ct. instead of Monterey/Las Animas due to safety reasons.
  • Adding a trip on northbound-only 168 express bus service from Gilroy to San Jose to support San Jose State University students when classes are in session.

These and more of the bus service changes VTA is making on January 5th are mentioned here.

One main point to consider regarding service expansion on the 323: it is to help build ridership for VTA’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project for Stevens Creek Boulevard.

Do you agree with the service increases VTA is making January 5th? If not, what bus or light rail service changes for the better do YOU think VTA needs to make?  Please discuss in the comments area according to our blog commenting rules.

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users

How YOU Can Help VTA Run On Time More Often

By now, you’ve heard all the stories about traffic increases in Silicon Valley and its effects on local quality of life. Their ongoing affect on Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) buses and light rail in Silicon Valley has proven to be one factor in their declining on-time rate. You experience it as your bus or light rail train running later than schedule, causing you to be late for work, school, or other commitments.

More information – and how YOU can help buses and light rail in Silicon Valley run on-time – are below.

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

Know Before You Board

I encountered one woman on VTA’s 522 Rapid bus today. She was upset that the Palo Alto-bound bus did not stop at El Camino/Warburton in Santa Clara. She paid $2 for riding, and thought the bus was like the regular 22. She was surprised when I told her the bus would not stop until El Camino/Scott. It turned out she did not ask the bus driver if the 522 Rapid bus makes the stop she wanted (which it does not).

When in doubt, ask the bus driver first before boarding any bus. Part of his/her job is to know the bus stops for that route. Better yet, call VTA at (408)321-2300 (or visit their web site) before going on your bus/light rail trip. Knowing before going will save you the embarassment – and money – of missing your destination on transit.

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users