Tag: stanford

VTA’s Big Ask…and More

The November 3 Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Board Of Directors’ meeting had lots of information discussed. Among key issues discussed:

  • Proposals to speed up light rail thru downtown San Jose.
  • Why there have been so many bus service cancellations on some routes in the last two months.
  • A change in how VTA applies for federal funding for extending BART into downtown San Jose.

Feel free to view the Board meeting in its entirety above. Meanwhile, here’s what was discussed November 3, in order of Agenda items. Links in listed show what was discussed, approximately at that moment.

Labor Day Weekend 2022 Transit Guide

Labor Day! graphic w/ 2 intertwining American flags, fireworks above them, and "LABOR DAY!" written in the style of the American flag.
Happy Labor Day!

On behalf of the Silicon Valley Transit Users, I want to wish you a Happy (and safe) Labor Day Weekend.

Temperatures in Santa Clara County are expected to reach or exceed 100 degrees this weekend. To address this, we’ve learned that the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) will provide FREE transit service to cooling centers throughout Santa Clara County. Some independently-operated cooling centers not affiliated with government will also be open on Labor Day; here’s a list of these cooling centers.

For VTA ACCESS Paratransit riders, please call (408)321-2380 to book a trip to a cooling center. Due to expected demand, please allow at least three (3) hours for pickup.

If you are going out on this hot, long weekend, we have transit guides to some sporting events in Palo Alto and San Jose.

Note that start times to these games may change due to the extreme heat in the area this weekend. Look and listen for news reports on whether or not your game has been delayed or even cancelled due to the heat this weekend.

Read on for more details.

Happy Thanksgiving 2021

Image by J Lloa from Pixabay

On behalf of the Silicon Valley Transit Users, I want to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving today.

Quick reminder: ALL Silicon Valley transit agencies (VTA, Caltrain, BART, SamTrans, et al.) are running on a Sunday/Holiday schedule today.

Read on for a more detailed look at how these transit agencies will run today and tomorrow.

BEATING TRAFFIC: Transit To Today’s Big Games

photo courtesy gostanford.com

The Big Game is at Stanford Stadium today – pandemic and all. At 4pm today, Stanford hosts Cal in the annual Big Game for The Axe at Stanford Stadium at 4pm.

Our transit guide to Stanford Stadium details Caltrain, VTA rapid bus, and SamTrans bus options to and from today’s Big Game.

Meanwhile, in San Jose, there is a pro hockey doubleheader today. At 1:15pm face-off time, the San Jose Barracuda host the San Diego Gulls in AHL action. Afterward, at 7:30pm, the San Jose Sharks host the Washington Capitals in NHL action.

Our transit guide to SAP Center mentions VTA bus, light rail, and Caltrain transit options to and from the games.

When used, all of these bus and rail options help you beat traffic, parking headaches, and potential road rage incidents to and from the games.

Not sure how to ride and pay fare on VTA buses or light rail? There’s a guide for that, too.

Have a nice day, and stay safe. More tomorrow…

Eugene Bradley
Founder & CEO, Silicon Valley Transit Users

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.