News Releases

Current

Successful Implementation of VTAs New Bus Service!

San Jose- The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) entered a new era of bus service Monday, January 14, 2008. Beginning early yesterday morning, transit riders throughout Santa Clara County saw more frequent service on many major routes, expanded express bus service and a significant increase in low-fare community bus routes. 

"The people who live, work, study and play in downtown San Jose will benefit significantly from VTA's expanded service, faster trips and improved connections. By continually improving service, VTA contributes to downtown's energy and vitality," said San Jose Downtown Association Executive Director Scott Knies.

In addition to the scheduling and/or route alterations for 57 routes, VTA discontinued service on seven underutilized routes, so that buses can be rerouted to areas of greatest demand. 

““VTA conducted an aggressive community outreach campaign to ensure our riders knew about and were prepared for the proposed changes. Yesterday's activities and rider feedback demonstrated our efforts were effective in helping riders prepare to navigate the new bus system,” stated VTA General Manager Michael Burns.

Last August, VTA’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the new service plan supporting the transit agency’s efforts to improve efficiencies and position the service to attract more riders.  VTA’s new bus service includes new bus Lines # 11, 42, 43, 45, 61, 89, 168 and 181. In order to improve overall service and operational efficiencies, underutilized bus routes throughout Santa Clara County were discontinued; they include Lines # 36, 38, 44, 59, 67, 85 and 305. 

“Everything ran smoothly this morning and according to our VTA ambassadors, transit riders were well informed about their trip and the changes impacting their travel,” said VTA Operations Planning Manager Jim Unites.

To ensure an easy transition to the new service, VTA launched an extensive outreach and communications program which includes a redesigned easy to use website with interactive maps and on-line trip planning, personal trip planning sessions throughout the valley, free informational materials and live customer service and trip planning via VTA’s customer service line or our downtown Customer Service Center.

For those wanting to learn more about VTA’s new bus service, please visit www.vta.org or contact VTA Customer Service Call Center (408) 321-2300.

Background on VTA New Bus Service

In August 2007 the VTA Board of Directors adopted a new Bus Service Operating Plan which will make major modifications to the current bus transit network. The Plan was the product of a Comprehensive Operations Analysis (COA), an 18-month effort to develop a transit investment policy, evaluate market opportunities and identify improvements to VTA’s bus transit network. 

The Plan includes introducing Community Bus Service throughout Santa Clara County. This service features smaller vehicles with an identity tied to the individual communities served. Planners of the New Bus Service anticipate the

changes underway are not going to incur additional costs to VTA or taxpayers through economies realized by a reallocation of services to create overall operational efficiencies and utilization of the smaller community bus vehicles.

The new Bus Service Operating Plan strikes a balance between providing Santa Clara County with needed community transportation services and a core system of routes with frequent service capable of carrying large numbers of riders.

 Go To Top

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.