Program Information Brochure

WHAT IS A GOLDEN GETAWAY?

Senior non-profit organizations may, for a variety of activities, arrange “Golden Getaway” bus trips on Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), with scheduled door-to-door transportation for senior groups.

Trips are:

• Scheduled between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
• Thursdays, Saturdays or Sundays (excluding holidays)
• A minimum of 25 passengers, maximum of 38
• Only within Santa Clara County

Golden Getaway trips are scheduled one per day on a “first come, first served” basis.  Normally only one pick-up and drop-off is allowed per bus.  Buses can accommodate up to two (2) wheelchairs per trip.

HOW TO RESERVE A BUS FOR A GOLDEN GETAWAY TRIP:

Complete a Golden Getaway trip form, and notify VTA’s Senior Connections Program at (408) 321-7500 a minimum of three (3) weeks in advance of your desired trip date to reserve transportation.

Please have the following information available:

• Proposed trip date (and alternate)
• Pick-up location and time
• Destination location, address and nearest cross street
• Return time

After the bus reservation is made, group leaders will be responsible for:

• Signing seniors for the trip
• Collecting fares
• Paying the full fare amount at least ten (10) days prior to the trip date ($175.00), check or money order payable to: VTA 
  
• Mail to:
  VTA Customer Service
  3331 N. First Street, Bldg. B
  San Jose, CA  95134-1927
• Keeping VTA’s Senior Connections Program staff informed if there are any changes made to the original reservation, places or times.

Please Note:
Cancellations are accepted with 48 hours notice, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday-Friday, without fee.  If cancellation is made after this time there will be a $25.00 cancellation fee.

ON THE TRIP:
Group leaders, or designated person, will be responsible for counting passengers, verifying that everyone is on the bus at the appropriate times and reporting passenger counts to the operator.  A VTA staff member may be available upon request as a “Bus Buddy” to accompany the group on their trip.

All VTA regulations will continue to apply; i.e. no smoking, eating or drinking while onboard the buses.