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San Jose- In December the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA)celebrates the 20^th anniversary of its first light rail line.  The Old Ironsides to Younger Street light rail line, also known as the North Line opened on December 11, 1987,   marking the start of a light rail system initially proposed by local officials more than twelve years prior.  The inaugural three-car light rail train attracted about 50,000 people who took advantage of the free opening weekend fare and rode the line for fun.  Construction of the North Line lasted nearly four years with additional light rail lines slated for completion in the years to come.  VTA finished the remainder of the nine-mile segment from Santa Clara through downtown San Jose in June 1988. 

VTA’s 42.2 mile light rail line is one of the longest built in the United States in 50 years. The system includes 62 unique stations with 22 park-and-ride lots throughout, to provide free and convenient locations for passengers to park their personal vehicles.   Currently, there are 100 light rail vehicles and 3 historic trolleys that cover a total of 79.6 miles of track. 

The popularity of VTA Light Rail continues to grow as more valley commuters rely on public transportation to serve their transit needs.   Ridership on VTA light rail has increased dramatically since its inception, ranging from 359,965 riders in 1988 to a record 10,343,543 riders this year.  Light rail service connects with VTA buses at all stations.  Light rail also connects with Caltrain at the Tamien and Downtown Mountain View Stations.  Light rail connects to Altamont Commuter Express (ACE) and Capitol Corridor Intercity Rail Service at Lick Mill Station.  VTA offers its light rail service seven days a week, 365 days a year.  It operates on 15, 30, 60 minute frequencies, depending on the time of day.  For a complete listing of service hours and frequency, check www.vta.org under schedules, maps & fares.

VTA constructed the light rail system we know today in four major segments.   Service to the Tamien Station (Alma Avenue), two miles south of downtown, began in August 1990.   The entire 20.8-mile line was completed in April 1991.   In December 1999, VTA opened the 7.6-mile Tasman West line, connecting Mountain View with existing light rail service.  The Tasman East Extension followed in two phases.  Phase I, Baypointe Transfer Station to I-880/Milpitas Station, was built in May 2001.  The completion of Phase II, I-880/Milpitas Station to Hostetter Station occurred in June 2004, in conjunction with the Capitol Light Rail Extension south of Hostetter to Alum Rock Station.  The Vasona Extension from downtown San Jose to Winchester Transit Center opened October 1, 2005.

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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.