San Jose is choosing not to allow partisan attacks in its airport amid an ongoing federal government shutdown. San Jose Mineta International airport isn’t airing a video of Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem blaming Democrats for operational delays during the federal shutdown due to its political content. Oakland, San Francisco, Sacramento and Stockton have also chosen to...
Cupertino could limit Bicycle Pedestrian Commission powers
The power of Cupertino’s Bicycle Pedestrian Commission is up in the air, leaving transit advocates worried about safety. The City Council on Tuesday will decide how much oversight should be given to those commissioners. Councilmembers will review four options, including splitting the commission’s responsibilities with the Planning Commission or expanding the planning commission’s role to...
Newsom says $750M in Bay Area public transit loans will be available
Gov. Gavin Newsom said earlier this month that $750 million in state loans to Bay Area transit agencies will be finalized before the end of the legislative session, after a deal reached in June to create the funding looked to be breaking down. BART, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, Alameda-Contra Costa Transit and Caltrain were...
Spirit Airlines departs from San Jose airport
One of the most affordable airlines in the skies is departing from San Jose’s airport for good. Spirit Airlines, known for its bright yellow planes and cheap airfare, will cease all service to and from San Jose Mineta International Airport after filing for bankruptcy for the second time in a year. Service ends Oct. 5,...
Sunnyvale councilmember injured in bike collision
A Sunnyvale official’s recent bicycle accident is reigniting concerns about traffic safety. Sunnyvale Councilmember Richard Mehlinger was hit by a car while riding his bike on California Avenue Aug. 30, breaking his left thumb and right wrist. Mehlinger, a staunch traffic safety advocate, said the incident shows the necessity and urgency of installing safety infrastructure. “There wasn’t a bike...
San Jose on the hunt for new e-scooter provider
San Jose is looking for a new e-scooter partner after negotiations with the exclusive vendor fell through. Scooter users were surprised to see an announcement in the Spin app last week, saying it would end services on Aug. 27 in San Jose. City officials said they declined to renew the company’s permit because Spin never...
California may lose fed funding for not enforcing trucker English rules
By David Fischer, Kate Payne, Morgan Lee and Eugene Johnson, AP writers California, Washington and New Mexico could lose millions of dollars of federal funding if they continue failing to enforce English language requirements for truckers, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Tuesday. An investigation launched after a deadly Florida crash involving a foreign truck driver who made...
BART voices frustrations about lack of transparency from VTA
The partnership between two Silicon Valley transit agencies is souring amid accusations of a lack of communication involving the region’s most significant expansion project. BART leaders say they’re frustrated that VTA failed to share critical updates about the Silicon Valley expansion project before announcing them publicly, according to recent letter obtained by San José Spotlight. The two agencies are...
Can Silicon Valley express lanes end traffic congestion?
Silicon Valley’s transportation agency wants to increase revenues from its highway express lanes, but advocates say they could save more money by strengthening public transit. VTA serves as Santa Clara County’s public transit operator and congestion management agency, overseeing the county’s highways as well as its buses and light rail. As the agency grapples with...
Los Gatos residents upset over reckless e-bike riders
Tensions in the West Valley are amping up as e-bike riders zip through small community streets at high speeds. One town is trying to fix that. Los Gatos Vice Mayor Rob Moore hosted a meeting last week to discuss concerns about dangerous e-bike riding, a rising trend in the small town that’s frustrated residents for months....