Caltrain just got its first passenger code of conduct, hoping to make behavior expectations more transparent for rowdy riders. The Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, Caltrain’s governing body, unanimously approved the commuter rail service’s code of conduct at its Thursday meeting. Officials said doing so will bring Caltrain up to speed with peer transit agencies and...
Sunnyvale launches inexpensive ride-hailing service for residents
Sunnyvale residents can now literally get on board with one of the newest public transportation trends: hailing a ride with a local microtransit service. City officials on Tuesday officially launched Sunnyvale Beam with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at City Hall, two weeks after the service quietly started operating. Through the Beam app or with a phone call,...
Civil Grand Jury raises concerns over Silicon Valley BART extension
VTA officials will provide more clarity about the finances and long-term costs of the massive Silicon Valley BART extension in response to a Santa Clara County Civil Grand Jury report that criticized the agency’s management and oversight of the project. The June 17 report raised concerns about VTA’s financial planning and oversight of the roughly $13...
State bill could speed up San Jose Diridon Station rebuild
A new state bill could cut a year off the redevelopment of Diridon Station in San Jose by exempting it from California’s landmark environmental law — and the state lawmaker at the forefront of the effort is determined to keep it on track. Senate Bill 1375, introduced by state Sen. Dave Cortese, whose district covers...
San Jose airport plans sensory room for neurodivergent children
A trip through the airport can be a lot to handle. But the stress and anxiety from crowded queues and unfamiliar sights and sounds can be even more pronounced for children with autism or other sensory sensitivities. San Jose Mineta International Airport will soon be opening a room specially designed to provide these young travelers...
VTA broke ridership record during Silicon Valley World Cup matches
VTA carried 230,000 passengers across the six FIFA World Cup matches hosted in the Bay Area since last month, setting its all-time special event ridership record. The public transit agency also reported setting its single-event ridership record on June 25 for the match between Paraguay and Australia, when nearly 42,000 fans rode transit to and...
Local ride-share shuttle expands into North Santa Clara
Santa Clara residents and workers now have access to an on-demand shuttle service in the northern part of the city thanks to a regional effort to reduce car trips and improve transit connections. Silicon Valley Hopper has expanded its service into North Santa Clara as of July 1, allowing riders to travel throughout the city...
Bay Area public transit tax heads to November ballot
A highly touted Bay Area sales tax measure to fund public transit joins 14 other referendums that have qualified for the November election — and South Bay leaders said strong community support made it happen. The transit sales tax measure — which proposes a 0.5% increase in Santa Clara County — collected an estimated 241,964...
Rod Diridon memorial recalls Santa Clara County transit legend
Friends, family, politicians and members of the community remembered a pioneer who never gave up his dream for mass transit in Santa Clara County. Rod Diridon, Sr.’s wife Gloria Duffy said the event was a celebration of community and collaboration, because that’s who her husband was. His life was inspired by his upbringing at the...
Downtown parking fee hike riles local businesses
San Jose has delayed a decision on whether to increase downtown parking prices after widespread pushback from local businesses and workers. The measure would have increased rates for hundreds of parking meters in the downtown core from $2 an hour to a maximum of $4 an hour, and also extended the machine’s operating hours further...