Tag: vta

No Group Meeting Tonight

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I did not post a formal agenda for this meeting in time for people to peruse. Also not helping: the Loma Fire in the Santa Cruz Mountains that may affect Highway 17 express bus service thru the area. I’m watching that personally.

Still, we will continue to discuss on our email list, whether to support or oppose Measure B – VTA’s latest transportation sales tax proposal.  We will have a formal decision on this issue shortly.

More news coming up…

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users

Hoedown At the Hofbrau

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The first of the debates for Measure B took place on Monday.  At the Santa Clara County Democratic Club at Harry’s Hofbrau in San Jose, both sides debated Measure B – VTA’s latest transportation sales tax proposal. Santa Clara County Supervisor and current VTA Board Chair Cindy Chavez debated the for side. Gladwyn D’Souza, San Carlos Belmont Group Chair at Sierra Club’s Loma Prieta Chapter, debated the against side.

Who do YOU think won last night’s Measure B debate? Please comment below.

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users

Bus Crashes On Both Coasts

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Photo courtesy nj.com

Early Friday morning, two New Jersey Transit buses crashed into each other in downtown Newark, NJ. Two people – including the driver of one of the buses – died as a result of the crash.  Seven bus passengers are in critical condition at a nearby hospital.

According to the Associated Press (AP), investigators are determining whether the bus driver killed in the crash ran a red light.  The same AP report mentioned that the intersection the bus crash occurred was one of the first in New Jersey to feature surveillance cameras that caught red light violators. That surveillance camera program was discontinued in 2014 amid controversy.

Later on Friday, in downtown Palo Alto, a Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) bus jumped the curb and hit some newspaper racks after making a right turn.  While Palo Alto Online reported that no one was , it is rather interesting to note that the driver was allowed to continue the route on another bus.  This is something worth asking VTA, I have never heard of this practice after an incident involving a bus and passengers.

On behalf of the Silicon Valley Transit Users, our condolences go out to the hurt and perished in the Newark bus crash.

Let’s all be careful when riding – and driving the buses and trains…

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users

Independence Day Transit Guide

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Happy-4th-of-July

On behalf of the Silicon Valley Transit Users, I want to wish everyone a Happy Fourth of July.  This post details public transit service to and from all Independence Day celebration events throughout the South Bay.

Of note: there is NO BART service between Fremont and South Hayward in both directions due to track work until Tuesday.  BART is running free shuttle buses between South Hayward, Union City, and Fremont in all directions.  Taking BART to the East Bay from Fremont?  Allow at least 30 minutes additional travel time.

Otherwise, all Silicon Valley transit agencies such as VTA, Caltrain, and SamTrans will run a Sunday/Holiday schedule on Monday.  Service hours will return to normal on Tuesday.

Here are your public transit alternatives to Fourth of July events, below.

Read more →

WATCH: VTA “Next Network” Meeting In San Jose

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnUtskyeLIY

For the second time in a decade, VTA is redesigning its bus network. Its goal is to make transit “more usable and cost effective, and to maximize connections with BART.”

Tonight at 6pm, VTA staff will have a presentation at San Jose City Hall detailing its proposed bus network restructuring plan.

The in-person meeting details are below, followed by the live stream that will play at the top of the page starting at 6pm SHARP. Details on how to get to San Jose City Hall are below.

San Jose City Hall (Rooms 118-120)
200 East Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA, 95113

Light Rail and many VTA bus lines like the 22, 23, 522 Rapid, 64, 66 and 68 stop within a 2-block walk of San Jose City Hall.

What do YOU think about VTA’s bus network restructuring proposal? Please comment below.

See you at San Jose City Hall at 6pm tonight.

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users