interior of bus showing taped off area
VTA Service Updates: Rear Door Boarding, No Fare Collection, Rapid 500 Suspended
03/19/2020

VTA is implementing new operational procedures to promote social distancing measures that will help “flatten the curve” and reduce the spread of COVID-19. These changes will benefit everyone’s wellbeing and help adhere to Public Health recommendations.

Effective immediately, VTA will have passengers board through the rear door of buses, away from our operators. Front door boarding will only be reserved for passengers who need the ramp or priority seating. Since the operator area will be taped off, there will be no access to the farebox or Clipper Card reader. This means we will not collect fares on buses during this time, nor will we collect fares for light rail and paratransit service either.

In addition, starting Monday, March 23, Rapid 500 serving San Jose Diridon Station to Berryessa Transit Center will be suspended. Customers can take Routes 64A, 64B or the 68 instead. School trippers remain suspended but there are no other changes to VTA service being implemented at this time. VTA will continue to analyze ridership data to identify trends and to see whether a change in the level of service is warranted and to what degree.

Also, VTA has suspended all in-person customer service at its River Oaks office (3331 N. 1st Street, San Jose) and the Downtown Customer Service Center (55A W. Santa Clara Street, San Jose). All questions and concerns can be addressed by phone/email at (408) 321-2300 or customer.service@vta.org.

Like everyone else in this unique situation, with employees on leave or working from home, we will experience gaps in service. While VTA is working to manage this, please be reminded of the resources you have to receive real-time service updates and other information about VTA’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic:

In addition, we also have our comprehensive VTA COVID-19 Information Center.

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