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State lawmakers are set to give $20 million to VTA to help it recover from the deadliest shooting in Bay Area history. The funding is included in the state budget and will allow the transportation agency to provide mental health resources to employees and their families, resume light rail service and improve safety upgrades at the Guadalupe...
Silicon Valley transit agency publicizes dispute over alleged debt
Two Bay Area transit agencies disagree on whether one owes the other money—and local officials say the dispute could be handled better. “The more I read about it, this is clearly a power play,” said Eugene Bradley, founder of Silicon Valley Transit Users. “They’re going to have to work something out.” The San Mateo County...
San Jose seeks help with airport connector bids
Getting to the airport in a driverless car or electric train might be one step closer to reality—if San Jose officials are ready for it. On June 29, The San Jose City Council will consider approving a $425,000 agreement with consulting firm ARUP to help progress a new type of transit system connecting Diridon Station to the Norman Y. Mineta-San...
‘A great worker’: San Jose shooter praised by VTA managers
Before Samuel Cassidy walked into work and murdered nine people, he frightened his coworkers, verbally attacked a female colleague and refused to follow company rules—yet his managers praised him and he kept his job for 20 years. At least one VTA employee described him as a loner and an outsider, who sometimes treated others “like...
San Jose shooter’s work record shows insubordination, unexcused leave
The disgruntled VTA employee who killed nine of his coworkers before committing suicide was never written up, the transit agency said Thursday, despite one coworker saying he “scared” them and suspected he would “go postal.” He did, however, have a history of insubordination and verbal altercations with coworkers. VTA released these details Thursday on the...
VTA boosting security across the South Bay
The VTA is bolstering its security following an employee’s deadly rampage last week. But an expert in workplace violence says the agency may need to go deeper than physical safeguards to increase safety. “The prevention piece, if properly done, is worth millions of millions of dollars,” said Felix Nater, owner of Nater Associates Security Management...
Where are the worst roads in San Jose?
San Joseans have a lot to say about their roads: It’s one of the most common complaints levied against the city. “There are lots of pockets in the city with bad roads that I just don’t feel safe biking,” said Bobby Gonzalez, a San Jose resident and avid cyclist. “Downtown’s roads are designed differently so...
VTA workers face fear, frustration in wake of San Jose shooting
Following the mass shooting at VTA’s light rail yard last week, some workers say they feel frightened, betrayed—and angry. And, they claim, their managers aren’t giving them time to grieve. “I am sick to my stomach,” one bus driver told San José Spotlight on condition of anonymity. “I go from crying to being angry, and just...
Santa Clara County Sheriff releases body cam footage from VTA shooting
The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office released edited body camera footage Tuesday from last week’s mass shooting at a VTA light rail yard in San Jose. “We’ll never forget those innocent victims whose lives were taken by a crazed coward,” Sheriff Laurie Smith said Tuesday, adding that the investigation is still ongoing. The body cam footage...
Extra buses added after San Jose VTA shooting suspended
VTA sent out additional buses to help bridge gaps in light rail service following Wednesday’s mass shooting. But now that’s going away too. The transportation agency stopped light rail service after an employee opened fire at the agency’s rail yard near downtown San Jose, killing nine people and then himself. It’s unclear when service will resume. “Management...