After a long day of driving a transit bus all over Silicon Valley, Bernard Glinton curls up for a night of rest — in his SUV. The longtime bus driver has slept in his SUV for the last two years to save costs and give himself some much-needed rest. “There’s tons of people who are commuting because...
VTA plans to run more buses on seven routes so it doesn’t leave so many people behind
Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority is going to run some bus lines more frequently so fewer passengers get left behind. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the transit agency has been requiring passengers to be spaced six feet apart on its buses and light rail cars. Doing so, though, has limited the capacity of its vehicles,...
San Jose airport could raise rental car fees to make up for financial loss
Those looking to rent a car at San Jose’s downtown airport may soon face a heftier bill if city leaders vote to approve fee hikes for travelers. San Jose’s airport has struggled financially amid COVID-19 stay-at-home orders. In a memo, John Aitken, director of aviation, said increasing Customer Facility Charge fees — daily fees charged to customers...
San Jose Legends: Rod Diridon launched the city’s light rail but got into transit by accident
Editor’s Note: San Jose Legends is a new monthly series that tells the remarkable stories of the historic and legendary people who have helped shape and transform our city. Rod Diridon has a train station named after him and is widely renowned as the “father” of Silicon Valley’s modern transit system. But to hear him tell...
San Jose transit chief was touted for Biden’s top transportation post
Before President-elect Joe Biden nominated former South Bend Mayor and presidential rival Pete Buttigieg to be his Secretary of Transportation, there was buzz that a notable local official might be in the running for the role. Nuria Fernandez, the CEO and general manager of the Santa Clara County Valley Transportation Authority, made the short list...
UPDATE: San Jose details how it is spending $650 million in Measure T funds
Two years after San Jose voters passed a $650 million disaster preparedness bond, the city says it is making headway on fixing roads, preventing floods and improving emergency response times. The City Council voted unanimously to put Measure T on the 2018 ballot after dilapidated roads, mismanaged land and lack of emergency centers threatened resident...
Watch: A live chat with VTA General Manager Nuria Fernandez
The need for reliable public transportation has never been greater, especially amid the pandemic. Valley Transportation Authority, the South Bay’s largest transit agency, is on the edge of transformation with several critical projects — such as BART to San Jose and a light rail extension to Eastridge — while grappling with unprecedented budget challenges. What...
VTA postpones Santa Clara County cuts to service for next year
The Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority postponed voting on its proposed service cuts for next year, bringing transit advocates a sense of cautious relief. “This isn’t over,” said public transit advocate Monica Mallon. “We’re going to be needing to fight the cuts next year.” VTA announced Nov. 17 it would delay committee and board votes...
Residents rally against VTA’s proposed service cuts
As seconds ticked away on a rigidly-enforced timer, dozens of county residents implored the Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority to save public transit from deep service cuts. The transit agency will vote on the cuts through a series of committee votes starting Nov. 10. “Keep our world living another day,” said high school student Pragya Natarajan. “Do...
Route 22 overnight bus service once again on chopping block in Santa Clara County
The Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority is proposing to reduce or eliminate overnight services of the bus line dubbed Hotel 22, the only 24-hour bus route in the county that is often used by homeless residents seeking shelter at night. The transit agency has proposed several scenarios for Route 22, which is part of the...