San Jose Rolls Out Speed Cameras With Citations Starting in Early 2027

Drivers across San Jose will soon encounter a new layer of enforcement on local streets. The city is installing 33 speed safety camera systems under a five-year pilot authorized by state law AB 645. Warning notices for vehicles traveling at least 11 miles per hour over the posted limit begin December 14, 2026. Citations follow in early 2027 after a minimum 60-day warning period at each site, with fines ranging from $50 for 11-15 mph over to $500 for extreme speeds.

The cameras sit at locations chosen for crash history, proximity to schools, hospitals, and senior centers, and distribution across all ten council districts. Each unit photographs only the rear license plate and flashes when triggered. No video is recorded, and images do not capture drivers or passengers. A Department of Transportation staff member reviews every potential citation before it goes out. Data stays confidential under city privacy policies and is not shared with other agencies except by court order.

From 2021 through 2025, speeding was the primary cause of 5,313 crashes in San Jose, resulting in 265 severe injuries and 41 deaths. City officials have pointed to results from San Francisco, where excessive speeding near cameras dropped roughly 85 percent within 18 months, as one reason for moving ahead. San Jose is the last of the six California cities allowed to pilot the technology. The program was delayed after an expected $8.5 million federal grant did not arrive, so the city has used local funds for installation and operations. Any citation revenue must be reinvested in the system or other street safety projects.

Mayor Matt Mahan and Vice Mayor Pam Foley have framed the cameras as one tool alongside existing Vision Zero efforts. The five-year pilot must conclude and report results by early 2032 at the latest. Locations continue to come online through early 2027, so drivers who regularly use corridors such as Saratoga Avenue, Alum Rock Avenue, or Capitol Avenue may want to check the city’s transportation department map for exact placements as installation finishes.

The shift places a measurable cost on speeding before more serious consequences occur. How the pilot performs will determine whether the city expands the approach or adjusts it based on the data collected.

Source: San Jose Inside

Downtown San Jose Keeps Street Meter Rates Steady While Garage Fees Rise

Anyone heading to Downtown San Jose for dinner, a show, or late work will notice a shift in how the city prices its public parking. In late September the City Council voted 7-3 to drop plans that would have raised street meter rates and extended enforcement until 9 p.m. Instead, hourly rates in city garages moved from $4 to $5 after the first 90 minutes free, effective in October. Special-event garage rates now range from $15 to $35, and eligibility for discounted monthly permits expanded so more downtown employees qualify.

The decision followed months of pushback from business owners, service workers, and patrons who argued that higher street fees and evening meters would slow the area’s recovery. Councilmember Anthony Tordillos, who represents the district, put forward the alternative that ultimately passed after earlier versions deadlocked. Street meters stay at $2 per hour with enforcement ending at 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The first 90 minutes remain free in the major garages, including the Convention Center garage on non-event days.

The compromise left the parking fund short of the revenue already built into the current budget. City staff had transferred $1.2 million from the parking fund to the general fund to help close a larger deficit, and deferring the street-meter increases pushes that shortfall into next year’s budget cycle. Officials directed further analysis of parking utilization, revenue, and infrastructure needs, including structural work and security upgrades at several downtown garages.

Downtown businesses that spoke at the meeting largely welcomed the outcome on meters while noting that garage increases still raise costs for some visitors and employees. Late-night workers raised concerns about walking to garages after the Groundwerx ambassador program ends for the night. The vote occurred against a backdrop of improving hotel and event activity in the core, with the council balancing those gains against ongoing budget pressure.

Drivers who park on the street for shorter visits continue under the existing meter rules. Those who stay longer or attend events will see the new garage rates when they exit. The parking board and staff are expected to return with longer-term recommendations as the city evaluates how the current setup performs through the rest of the fiscal year.

Source: The Mercury News

New Law Streamlines Approvals for Diridon Station Modernization

Residents and business leaders following Silicon Valley’s transit plans gained a practical tool last month when Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 1375. Authored by State Senator Dave Cortese, the measure creates a targeted California Environmental Quality Act exemption for qualifying urban intermodal rail station projects. The law aims to shorten permitting timelines for stations where multiple high-capacity rail services converge, while requiring clean operations, environmental compliance, community engagement, and plans that address potential displacement of residents and small businesses.

Diridon Station stands as the clearest beneficiary. Regional officials have long described the western edge of Downtown San Jose as the future meeting point for California High-Speed Rail, Caltrain, BART, VTA light rail and buses, Amtrak, Altamont Corridor Express, and Capitol Corridor service. Partner agencies selected an at-grade design earlier this year after extensive analysis and public input; that option keeps tracks near their current elevation and adds a below-street concourse. Environmental review for the broader program had been expected to take three to four years. Officials have indicated the exemption could reduce that phase by roughly a year.

The station area is projected to support housing, office, retail, and hospitality development around one of Northern California’s busiest transit hubs. Mayor Matt Mahan has noted that the measure advances a major Bay Area transportation investment while retaining environmental safeguards. Once rebuilt, Diridon is expected to rank among the largest rail and transit facilities west of the Mississippi River. High-Speed Rail passenger service to San Jose still lacks a firm schedule, so many of the largest ridership and economic effects remain years away even if station work advances more quickly.

“This is a major win for Silicon Valley and a major step toward finally delivering the world-class Diridon Station to our region,” Cortese said. Eligibility under the law is limited to projects that meet the listed standards and file a notice of exemption before the end of 2031. The change does not remove federal environmental review requirements that still apply because of anticipated federal funding.

For updates on the Diridon Station program, visit diridonsj.org.

Source: SVBJ

Council Takes Up a Five-Year Parking Hike on Tuesday

City Council will hear a revised downtown parking plan on Tuesday, September 29. Downtown Parking Board Vice Chair Tamiko Rast sent an open letter last week asking the council to pause. The Department of Transportation’s five-year ladder would raise garage hourly rates by $1 in year one and special-event garage rates by $3. Year two would add $1 an hour to about 1,600 core meters now at $2. Year three would keep those meters running until 9 p.m. instead of 6 p.m. Year four would add another $2 to event rates. Year five would lift every city meter by $1. The first 90 minutes in city garages, including the Convention Center Garage, would stay free. Sundays would stay free.

The Parking Fund takes in about $15 million a year. The current budget already pulled $1.2 million from that fund into the general fund to help cover a deficit north of $26 million. Staff project the full rate package, once it lands in 2030, would add about $4 million a year. Last fiscal year the fund also sent $972,000 to items outside Transportation, including fireworks, Downtown Ice upgrades, and business-development programs. Rast’s complaint is that the city is asking drivers to pay more while garages still have bad lighting, broken elevators, thin security, and dirty floors, and while the Parking Board has seen late packets and canceled meetings.

The San Jose Downtown Association made the same point in June, when the first version of the hike was yanked off the consent calendar after restaurant and bar owners filled the chambers. Raising the price of a dinner-and-show night without fixing the garage that night ends in is a tax on the recovery downtown has been trying to buy. Staff argue San Jose’s $2 meter is still cheap next to Oakland and San Francisco, and that evening demand now exists. Both can be true. The vote on Tuesday is whether the extra dollar goes into concrete and cameras first, or into the hole in the general fund.

City notice: https://www.sanjoseca.gov/Home/Components/News/News/7535/16

Source: San Jose Spotlight

Alaska Puts Four Daily 737s Back on the LAX–SJC Run in November

Alaska Airlines will restore San Jose–Los Angeles on November 1 after a ten-month gap. The airline first added the hop in 2017, then dropped it in January 2026 when new aircraft arrived later than planned. The replacement is not the old 76-seat Embraer E175. Four daily flights each way will use a 173-seat Boeing 737-900ER, 157 seats in economy and 16 in first, which more than doubles the metal on each departure.

Published times out of SJC start at 7:00 a.m., then 11:22 a.m., 5:15 p.m., and 7:55 p.m. LAX sends aircraft at 9:00 a.m., 2:55 p.m., 5:35 p.m., and 7:45 p.m. Block time sits a little over an hour. That schedule gives a same-day outbound and return without forcing a drive to SFO or a connection. Southwest and others already sell the corridor; another four frequencies still matter when a meeting in El Segundo or a late show at the Hollywood Bowl is the reason for the trip.

The same network shuffle cuts seven other Alaska routes. Santa Rosa loses Salt Lake City and Ontario. San Luis Obispo–Las Vegas and Sacramento–Los Cabos are gone. Seasonal Puerto Vallarta flying from Sacramento, St. Louis, and JFK already ended in April. Those markets are smaller. LAX–SJC is the one Alaska chose to put a mainline jet back on.

SJC Terminal B is where Alaska usually parks. Mileage Plan members get the first-class cabin and the usual elite perks that regional jets do not carry as comfortably. Fares will move with Southwest and the rest of the market, but more competition means downward pressure on prices. Bookings are already live on Alaska’s site for dates from November 1.

Alaska bookings: https://www.alaskaair.com/en/flights-from-los-angeles-to-san-jose

Source: Simply Flying

Pink Coolers on Wheels Already Cross Downtown. The 350-Pound Ones Want the Bike Lane.

Coco’s pink-and-red boxes have been rolling through Downtown San Jose since April, pausing at lights like any other pedestrian and dropping coded meals at stoops within about two miles. Serve Robotics joined later. Together they already feed Uber Eats and DoorDash orders from spots such as Punjab Cafe on East Santa Clara Street and Sixth Street Burger. Bobby Saini at Punjab now loads butter chicken and garlic naan into a compartment several times a night. The city never signed a formal contract with either firm. Staff waved the fleets through under older policies about fewer car trips and lower emissions, then called the stretch a learning period.

Council will likely vote this fall on actual rules: permits, insurance, $200 to $250 a year per robot, and the right to cap fleets or yank a permit if machines block curb ramps, bus zones, or bike lanes. Until then, the only speed cap on the sidewalk is an informal 5 mph, a number reporters have had to jog to match. Coco units weigh about 100 pounds empty. Serve’s weigh 161. DoorDash wants to put 350-pound Dot robots, roughly a tenth the size of a car, into bike lanes at speeds that can reach 20 mph. City staff decided those machines were too slow for car lanes. Cyclists get the experiment instead.

Disability advocates have already named the obvious collision: a stalled cooler on a curb cut, a walker forced into the street. Sheri Burns, formerly of the Silicon Valley Independent Living Center, also called grocery-by-robot a possible game changer for people who cannot easily leave home, and she praised Coco’s BlindSquare mapping of cracked sidewalks. At La Victoria Taqueria, staff found one unit flipped on its back. Arturo Litvin watched his Sixth Street Burger order arrive by robot, then noticed Uber Eats refunded the tip. Human couriers still do the bulk of the work. The companies will not say how many of those shifts they expect to erase.

San Francisco locked robots down in 2017 before they spread. Fremont is letting DoorDash run Dots under an encroachment permit that expires in March, with a 16 mph cap and a $1 million insurance floor. San Jose chose the opposite sequence: sidewalks first, ordinance later. Coco’s government lead says a frozen bot on a sidewalk would be rare and short-lived, and field techs are supposed to arrive within 30 minutes. Guadalupe River Trail stays off limits. Willow Glen is already on Coco’s near-term map as the next expansion opportunity.

Source: The Mercury News

Mayor Mahan Tests Joby Air Taxi Simulator at San Jose Mineta International Airport

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan took the controls of a Joby Aviation flight simulator at Mineta International Airport on August 18, the day before National Aviation Day. Inside a blue trailer parked near the XO sculpture at Terminal B, he completed a vertical takeoff, a series of turns around the airport area, and a smooth landing in roughly ten minutes.

The mobile simulator gives visitors a 120-degree view of what it feels like to pilot Joby’s all-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. San Jose Mineta became the first airport in the United States to host the unit, which remained available for public sessions through August 21. Reservations were handled through a simple online calendar.

Joby, based in Santa Cruz, aims to begin commercial passenger flights in 2027 once it receives final FAA certification. Company leaders described the airport visit as a way to let local residents experience the technology before service arrives. The mayor noted that electric air taxis could help ease congestion by offering an alternative to ground travel in a region where new roads are costly and difficult to build.

The short demonstration highlighted both the accessibility of the technology and San Jose’s growing role as a testing ground for next-generation mobility.

Source: The Mercury News

New Routes and Premium Carrier Talks Expand Options at San Jose Mineta International Airport

San Jose Mineta International Airport continues adding connections that match the region’s travel patterns. Southwest Airlines will introduce nonstop flights to Orlando beginning November 21, giving local travelers a direct holiday-season link to one of the country’s top leisure destinations. Delta Air Lines will follow with daily nonstop service to Austin starting October 6, creating the only premium-cabin option between the two tech hubs.

At the same time, SJC is holding exploratory discussions with Magnifica Air, an Orlando-area startup planning an ultra-premium “private service” model. The carrier intends to operate Airbus aircraft configured for as few as 44 to 54 passengers, featuring larger cabins, private suites on some aircraft, expedited processes, and amenities designed to sit between traditional first class and full private-jet travel. Magnifica Air has listed San Jose among potential early markets for its phased 2027-2028 launch.

These developments arrive as the airport also seeks proposals for a 15-acre site that could support additional aviation services such as a fixed-base operator. The combination of new leisure and business routes plus interest from a specialized premium carrier points to growing demand from Silicon Valley travelers who want both convenience and elevated experiences.

The added Orlando and Austin flights will open more straightforward options for families, business travelers, and weekend trips. Anyone planning ahead can already book the upcoming Delta and Southwest services through the airlines’ websites.

Source: SVBJ

A Faster Path for Diridon Station’s Transformation

California lawmakers took a meaningful step last week when the Assembly Appropriations Committee approved SB 1375 and sent it to the full Assembly. The measure creates a targeted exemption from California Environmental Quality Act review for qualifying urban intermodal rail station modernization projects that meet environmental, labor, and community standards while limiting construction impacts and protecting against displacement. Authored by Senator Dave Cortese of San Jose, the bill positions the long-planned overhaul of Diridon Station to move forward with fewer redundant delays.

Diridon already functions as a critical node on the western edge of Downtown San Jose, serving Caltrain, Amtrak, ACE, and VTA light rail and bus lines. Future service will layer in BART through the Silicon Valley Phase II extension, additional Capitol Corridor trains, and California high-speed rail. The California High-Speed Rail Authority’s 2026 business plan targets extension of service from the Central Valley to San Jose and San Francisco by 2039. Partner agencies including the City of San Jose, Caltrain, VTA, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, and the High-Speed Rail Authority selected an at-grade station alternative in 2025 that keeps tracks near today’s street level while rebuilding platforms, the historic depot, public plazas, and street connections. Normal environmental review for that program was projected to consume three to four years before design and construction could fully advance.

Streamlining the state environmental process while federal NEPA review continues could shave years off the timeline for a facility expected to handle nearly 100,000 daily passengers once complete. That scale of connectivity supports denser housing and jobs within walking distance of frequent transit, eases highway congestion, and advances the region’s climate targets. Mayor Matt Mahan has described Diridon as poised to become the busiest transit hub west of the Mississippi, provided modernization does not stall. Councilmember Michael Mulcahy has likewise framed the station as a foundation for sustainable growth that links jobs, sports venues, and neighborhoods across Downtown San Jose and the South Bay.

Passage of SB 1375 would not eliminate every review or community conversation. It would, however, remove one layer of duplication for a project that has already undergone years of planning, design alternatives analysis, and public input. For a city investing heavily in transit-oriented development around Diridon, including Google’s Downtown West project, the difference between a delayed station and a completed one will shape daily life for decades.

Source: SVBJ

VTA Light Rail Critical Feedback

"Classy Whale" has ridden every single major metro system in America and has just posted a brutal review of the VTA light rail system. Unfortunately, he makes a lot of fair points.

Slower average speeds and longer headways remain part of the current experience, especially outside peak hours. Those realities stem from the original design that favored median running through lower-density areas rather than fully exclusive rights-of-way. Yet the same network continues to support transit-oriented projects and future extensions that aim to densify key corridors. Riders who board at Milpitas or Diridon already gain seamless ties to regional rail, and the light rail itself delivers a car-free way to move between them.

Still, we should take a hard honest look at the system to see what is really needed to bring transit times down and frequencies up. Improvements in those key areas will translate to increased ridership and rider satisfaction.

Source: Youtube

 

San Jose Ranks Among Safest Major Cities for Weekend Driving

San Jose proved relatively secure compared with other large American cities over the past five years for weekend driving. An analysis of federal crash data placed the city ninth-lowest in weekend fatal crash rates among the 50 biggest U.S. metros, at 2.77 incidents per 100,000 residents.

From 2020 through 2024 the city averaged 27.4 weekend fatal crashes annually, for a total of 137 lives lost. Numbers held fairly steady in the earlier years before dropping to 22 in 2024, the lowest annual figure in the period and a 21 percent decline from 2020. That rate sits more than 80 percent below the highest-ranked city and matches Raleigh while trailing only denser places (with less freeway driving) such as New York, Boston, and San Francisco.

The 2024 reduction in particular points to progress that local safety programs may have helped produce. Still, every crash remains a loss, and continued attention to pedestrian infrastructure, speed control, and impaired-driving enforcement will determine whether the downward trend holds.

Source: Grigor Law Injury & Car Accident Lawyers

San Jose Moves to Set Rules for Expanding Fleet of Delivery Robots

Small autonomous bots have rolled along Downtown San Jose sidewalks since spring, ferrying meals from local restaurants to nearby customers. Now the city is preparing formal regulations that could allow a broader rollout, including larger models designed for bike lanes.

Transportation officials presented draft rules during a community meeting this week. The proposal would create a year-long permit system for companies operating the devices. Speed on sidewalks, pathways and crosswalks would be capped at 5 mph. Smaller units would need visibility flags, and operators would have to clear any immobilized bots from public areas within a reasonable time. The city could withhold additional permits if numbers grew too high and would retain authority to issue fines or revoke operating rights for violations.

Two firms, Coco Robotics and Serve Robotics, currently run about 35 of the cooler-sized machines combined. DoorDash has signaled interest in introducing its taller Dot robot, roughly five feet high and capable of traveling up to 20 mph in bike lanes under a monitored pilot. Officials framed the electric machines as a way to trim vehicle trips for food pickups while improving access for residents with limited mobility.

Residents raised practical questions about sidewalk congestion, especially for people using wheelchairs or other mobility aids, and about how faster bots would share narrow bike channels with cyclists. Industry representatives stressed the need for public comfort if the technology is to succeed. Staff indicated the finalized package would head to City Council in September, with a possible launch of the permit program in late fall or winter.

The discussion reflects San Jose’s effort to guide new mobility tools rather than simply react to them. As more restaurants and delivery platforms explore automation, clear local standards will help determine whether these devices become a routine, low-impact part of city streets or create new friction on shared paths.

Source: San Jose Spotlight

San Jose's Tunnel Vision Challenge

If you could build a 1 mile subway or underground pedestrian crossing anywhere in San Jose, where would it be?  It's a tougher questions than I expected.

The Boring Company is going to build a free tunnel somewhere in the United States. They are looking for proposals up to 1 mile in length for a 12-foot diameter tunnel that can be used for pedestrians, utilities, a Loop, or any other use case. So this got me thinking, if San Jose were to submit a proposal where should it be?

At first I thought about connecting SJC with Downtown San Jose, but there is no way to do that within a mile. 1 mile isn't even enough to connect to Caltrain in Santa Clara. The only option would be connecting a Loop to a Lightrail Station on First, but that would likely not get a ton of use. Then I looked for options in various parts of Downtown to find the maximum utility you could get within 1 mile. Here was my best effort:

• Stop 1 - Diridon Station / SAP
• Stop 2 - Guadalupe River Trail / Adobe HQ
• Stop 3 - Plaza De Cesar Chavez / The Tech Interactive / Convention Center
• Stop 4 - SJSU Campus

For the ride vehicle, I could see something like the old DASH Downtown Shuttle. Even a 20-person AV that just goes back and forth between Diridon and SJSU would make it so much faster to get around Downtown and encourage more people (especially SJSU students) to take advantage of public transit. What do you think? Is there a better 1 mile option?

Source: Boring

East San Jose's Light Rail Extension Advances Toward 2028 Opening

San Jose marks a significant step forward in public transit with the ongoing construction of the VTA Orange Line extension, a 2.4-mile addition that connects East San Jose more directly to the broader Bay Area network. This project, the first light rail expansion in over two decades, stretches from Alum Rock Station along Capitol Expressway to a new terminus at Eastridge Transit Center. Elevated viaducts carry the line above busy roadways, minimizing disruptions and enhancing safety for riders and drivers alike.

The extension includes two new stations designed for convenience and accessibility. An elevated stop at Story Road features pedestrian bridges, elevators, and stairs to link seamlessly with surrounding neighborhoods. The at-grade station at Tully Road integrates with the Eastridge Mall and existing bus services, making transfers straightforward. This setup supports local businesses during construction and promises to boost foot traffic once operational, invigorating commercial areas like shopping centers and eateries along the route.

Beyond immediate connectivity, the line links to BART at Milpitas, opening up efficient travel options to destinations across the region. Residents in East San Jose gain reliable alternatives to car travel amid growing congestion on major arterials. The development also highlights opportunities for smarter land use, such as reimagining underutilized spaces like Reid-Hillview Airport for community benefits.

The total budget exceeds $650 million and the grand opening is anticipated for 2028 (a year earlier than planned).

For more details, watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiHmXvXd6KU

Source: Usedmedia on Skyscraper City

New Transportation Options Enhance Mobility in East San Jose

New East San Jose initiatives are catering to those without cars, offering affordable alternatives that promote active lifestyles. With expansions in bikeshare and the introduction of on-demand microtransit, the city demonstrates a focus on accessibility that benefits everyone from daily commuters to families running errands.

The Bay Wheels bikeshare program, operated by Lyft, expands into East San Jose this summer. This move links areas like Mayfair and Alum Rock to Downtown San Jose and the Berryessa BART Station, creating seamless routes for work, school, or leisure. Eligible residents can access an annual membership for just $5, with each ride costing $1, making it a practical choice for short trips that also encourage outdoor activity and reduce traffic congestion.

Launching in late fall, the Pa’Lante microtransit pilot provides on-demand rides in an all-electric fleet for two years. Users book corner-to-corner service through an app or phone, with door-to-door options available for seniors, parents with young children, and individuals with disabilities. Fares match VTA rates, including free transfers, and vehicles accommodate wheelchairs and bikes to support combined travel modes.

Additional resources round out these offerings, such as the Clipper START program for 50% discounts on Bay Area transit for income-qualified riders. Youth and seniors benefit from similar reduced fares, while those with disabilities can use the Clipper Access card. The VTA Summer Youth Pass allows unlimited rides for those 18 and under during summer months, further easing movement around the city.

For more information: https://www.sanjoseca.gov/Home/Components/News/News/7117/4765

Waymo’s Arrival in San Jose: A Glimpse into the Future of Transportation

San Jose is charging toward an electrifying future, and the latest jolt of excitement comes with Waymo’s driverless cars hitting our streets! This groundbreaking move is set to transform how we navigate San Jose and beyond, blending cutting-edge technology with the city’s spirit of innovation. With Waymo’s fleet now approved to operate here, we’re on the cusp of a transportation revolution that promises safer roads, and smoother commutes.

According to NBC Bay Area, Waymo has received approval to expand its driverless car service to San Jose and San Francisco International Airport, marking a significant step forward for the autonomous vehicle company. This isn’t just a win for Waymo—it’s a game-changer for San Jose. Fewer traffic jams clogging up our arteries, a drop in accidents thanks to precision driving, and a ride as easy as summoning an app are all within reach. Plus, with this tech landing here, San Jose is cementing its spot as a magnet for forward-thinkers and thrill-seekers alike.

But hold on—Waymo isn’t cruising solo. Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology is accelerating fast, and their robotaxis are revving up to join the race later this year. This friendly rivalry could spark a surge of innovation, pushing both companies to deliver top-notch services and maybe even friendlier fares. For us, that means more choices, greener streets, and a front-row seat to the future of travel.

What’s even more exciting is how this fits San Jose’s big-picture vision. We’re not just a city—we’re a smart city, a global hub where ideas ignite and industries thrive. Waymo and Tesla rolling into town amplify that reputation, drawing tech talent, bold businesses, and curious visitors eager to experience a place where tomorrow happens today.

The last Waymo I took in SF (earlier this month)

Transit-oriented developments in San Jose

TODGod posted a video earlier this month highlighting all of the TODs (transit oriented developments) in San Jose. He goes though the VTA Light Rail network station-by-station in the first 7 minutes in the video embedded below. There are more projects than I expected, and hopefully it will make a notable impact in the coming years.

Source: TODGod on Youtube

The Historic San Jose (Holiday) Trolley is back

A 96-year-old trolley filled with holiday spirit will be running on weekends before and after Christmas. Rides on the 32-seat trolley are free. It's the VTA's gift to the community.

I have ridden it several times and it feels more like an amusement attraction than public transportation. It's a fun experience, especially combined with Christmas in the park.

The trains will run from Diridon Station to the Civic Center, on December 21, 22, 28, and 29.

Source: San Jose Spotlight

VTA providing funding to help build transit villages in San Jose

The VTA is going to provide 14 grants up to $175,000 to help spur housing and commercial development within a 10 minute walk from three key VTA light rail stations. Those neighborhoods are Downtown San Jose, Santa Clara Street, 28th Street.

Funding will come from ground leases on land the VTA already owns. No new taxes are required.

This is a great initiative as we absolutely need to densify areas around key transportation routes. It is the only way to grow without contributing to the ever-worsening Silicon Valley traffic. 

Source: NBC Bay Area

Caltrain's switch to electric is already paying off

Caltrain's electric trains are a hit with riders. The electrification project involved swapping out Caltrain's Diesel trains for brand new electric units that are quieter, accelerate faster, and are more comfortable.

In October 753,000 passengers took Caltrain, a 54% year-over-year increase. Saturday and Sunday ridership have risen even more dramatically. Saturday ridership is up 169% and Sunday is up 142% year-over year. That finally brings Caltrain ridership above pre-COVID19 levels.

While their top speed is the same, the acceleration allows for more frequent stops while simultaneously reducing route times. The train can now go between San Jose and San Francisco in less than an hour. Unlike BART it also has restrooms and 2nd floor with a nice view.

If you haven't tried out the new service yet, now's a great time to see the latest and greatest in Bay Area public transit.

Source: SFGATE