San Jose, Calif. – There’s nothing easier than riding the rails. Safe, efficient, and more than 99.9% on-time, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s (VTA) light rail system takes commuters to their destinations quickly, making it one of Silicon Valley’s most effective modes of transportation. The Vasona Light Rail Line, which opened for revenue service on October 1, added 5.3 miles to the existing 36.9-mile VTA light rail system.  As the fourth major light rail extension since 1999, VTA riders are now able to travel between Downtown Campbell and Downtown San Jose.

“The new Vasona light rail extension provides a convenient, economical transportation link for the West Valley and doubles light rail service in downtown and north San Jose,” said Joe Pirzynski, VTA’s Board Chair and Los Gatos City Councilmember.

The Vasona Line is a great transportation alternative for commuters, providing service to some of the world’s leading edge companies including eBay, Adobe Systems and Cisco Systems.   But it also offers a new way to travel for fun.   Its eight new stations in the cities of Campbell and San Jose will offer easy access to local businesses and neighborhoods, with light rail within walking distance. 

“The addition of the Vasona Light Rail Line to the county’s transportation network will provide a vital connection between Downtown San Jose and Campbell, benefiting community businesses, seniors and public transit riders,” states Supervisor James T. Beall, Jr., District 4, County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors.

Two unique features of this extension are the tunnel alignment in Downtown San Jose between the San Fernando and San Jose Diridon stations, and an aerial structure that spans a major thoroughfare and freeway on the border of San Jose and Campbell.   Each of these grade-separated crossings allow for dedicated movement of the light rail vehicles, without stops for vehicle or pedestrian traffic, resulting in a quick 16-minute trip from Downtown Campbell to Downtown San Jose.

Expected daily ridership is between 8,000 and 9,000 riders by 2015, with intermodal connections at most stations.   At the top of the list are the transit options at the San Jose Diridon Station, including Caltrain, Altamont Commuter Express (ACE), Amtrak and Capitol Corridor train service, as well as eight VTA bus lines, the Downtown Area Shuttle and the Highway 17 Express.

Vasona Light Rail stations are designed to ensure the riders’ comfort and safety.   Large shelters protect passengers from the hot sun, wind and winter rain.   Ample seating, well-designed landscaping, and good lighting are also part of their design. 

VTA’s Community Oriented Design Enhancements (CODE) Program ensures that capital projects incorporate high quality design enhancements that reflect the identity of the communities in which they are located.   CODE projects on the Vasona line include the unique architecture of the San Jose Diridon, Downtown Campbell and Hamilton Stations, and art projects designed by San Jose artist Diana Pumpelly Bates at the

San Jose Diridon Station (shelter canopy glass and stainless steel railing), and at the Fruitdale and Bascom Stations (metal screens).   CODE funds were also used for special station features at the San Fernando Station, which features a plaza complete with a whimsical sculpture of brightly striped lions created by artist Iona Malka Rich.

In March 2001 VTA, along with its partners in Santa Clara County, broke ground on the Vasona Light Rail Project.   The $315 million project was primarily funded by the 1996 Measure B Transportation Improvement Program.   Federal and state funding, grants, VTA bond revenues, and municipal contributions made up the rest of the project’s funding.

“VTA has an impressive record of delivering on the priorities set forth by voters in the 1996 Measure B program,” said Michael Burns, VTA’s General Manager.   “Before the tax sunsets at the end of this fiscal year more than $1.3 billion local dollars for transportation improvements will have been reinvested in our community.”

1996 Measure B Transportation Improvement Program

VTA is the implementing organization for the 1996 Measure B Transportation Improvement Program. This program is made possible by Santa Clara County voters, who in 1996 approved a half-cent sales tax measure to fund a specific package of countywide transportation improvement projects. The sales tax is under the management of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors and continues over a nine-year time frame.   Despite the continuing economic downturn negatively impacting the 1996 Measure B Program revenues, VTA has secured outside revenues to help fully fund completion of a number of the Program’s projects.

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About VTA
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district responsible for bus, light rail and paratransit operations; congestion management; specific highway improvement projects; and countywide transportation planning. As such, VTA is both an accessible transit provider and multi-modal transportation planning organization involved with transit, highways and roadways, bikeways and pedestrian facilities.

For more information about VTA services, call VTA Customer Service at (408) 321-2300, (408) 321-2330 (TDD only). Or, log on to www.vta.org.