ETAs for VTA Light Rail Return

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Just learned that Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) light rail service returns this week after workers went on strike for over two weeks. Estimated schedule of when train lines return to service:

Also, reports of two copper thefts during the strike have also played a role in delaying its service return. Meanwhile, labor negotiations between VTA and ATU Local 265 will continue, despite lack of a contract. Some quick reminders on light rail:

  • Orange line trains run round-trip between Mountain View, Old Ironsides (for connection to the Green Line) Baypointe (for connections to the Blue Line), Milpitas (BART connection), and Alum Rock in East San Jose
  • Blue Line trains run round-trip between Baypointe in North San Jose, downtown San Jose, and Santa Teresa in South San Jose.
  • Green Line trains run round-trip between Old Ironsides in Santa Clara, downtown San Jose, and Winchester in Campbell.

What are your thoughts on VTA bus and light rail service returning after the strike? Discuss in comments below.

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users

Judge Ends VTA Transit Strike

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The Great Silicon Valley Public Transit Strike of 2025 is now over. On Wednesday, Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Daniel Nishigaya ruled in favor of the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) and their request to end the strike. From March 10 until Thursday, more than 1,500 workers represented by the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 265 walked off the job. This resulted in loss of VTA bus and light rail service throughout Santa Clara County.

VTA has already announced a partial return of bus service on Friday. Light rail service is expected to return as soon as Monday due to copper wire theft incidents along the Green Line between San Jose and Campbell, according to ABC 7 News Bay Area. Also, tracks and infrastructure need to pass safety inspections.

More on this story as news comes up.

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users

Transit Strike Update – 3/25/2025

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VTA Mountain View light rail platform, looking north, from the southern end of the platform. Shows empty platform indicating no light rail service at this time.
Empty Mountain View VTA light rail platform.

The Silicon Valley Public Transit Strike of 2025 enters its third week. Last Sunday, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) proposed a new labor agreement for striking workers representing the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 265. This proposal was given at a special Board Of Directors’ meeting Sunday morning.

Per NBC Bay Area, about 100,000 transit riders are affected by this strike, which started March 10. Also reported: VTA mentioned they were losing $70,000 per day in lost fares as a result of the strike.

San Jose Spotlight described details of VTA’s proposal:

The VTA Board of Directors approved the revised offer in a special meeting Sunday. It included a 11% raise over the next three years, going up 4%, another 4% and 3%. It included updates to the conflict resolution process for workers filing a grievance, before going to a neutral third party. But it also introduced other contract changes, such as reducing overtime.

Yesterday (Monday) morning, 83% of ATU Local 265 members rejected the proposal. Per Rajvinder Singh, President and Business Agent at ATU Local 265, sticking points are overtime pay, and the need for a “no retaliation” guarantee for all striking employees – including probationary employees.

Yesterday, labor negotiators from VTA and ATU Local 265 met with a state mediator.

Sadly, no results came from that meeting. Both VTA and ATU Local 265 will be in a court hearing on Wednesday at 1:30pm. That hearing in Santa Clara County Superior Court will determine VTA’s legal request to end the strike.

Meanwhile, VTA has offered strike-affected riders $5 vouchers for their rideshare trips from 7am-10pm between VTA stops.

What are your thoughts and ideas on labor negotiations, and VTA’s $5 voucher for rideshare? Please comment and suggest.

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users