Celebrating 10 Years of Service

Written Description of   Pictures 1, 2 and 3 on Brochure Cover:

Picture of a light rail vehicle stopped at the Downtown Campbell Light Rail Station. Picture of VTA Buses stopped at the Palo Alto Transit Center. Picture of construction workers building a light rail extension.

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2005 - Ten Years of Achievement

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Picture of Joe Pirzynski, Chairperson, 2005 VTA Board of Directors.

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VTA’s 10th year was truly a year to celebrate. It brought numerous achievements, enhancing transportation options for the residents of Santa Clara County and the many people who come into Santa Clara County every day. We completed several major projects in 2005, thanks to the support of our local, state and federal partners.

This past year, we: opened the Vasona light rail line, adding over five new miles to our light rail system, linking Campbell to downtown San Jose and beyond; launched Rapid 522, an enhanced bus service that has reduced travel times between Palo Alto and east San Jose by 25%; introduced the Community Bus program, providing free local trips in Los Gatos and a connection to the new Vasona line; completed the Route 237/I-880 Interchange in Milpitas, improving the Valley’s highway network; and facilitated ongoing discussion of the 2000 Measure A Expenditure Plan.

I am honored to have served as Board Chairperson, participating in the critical decision process and delivering projects that will have positive impacts for years to come. I am also glad to have played a role in positioning VTA for the future. VTA made serious headway in 2005, particularly developing the strategy to deliver the next 30 years of improvements to our local public transit system.

Thank you for contributing to a successful year for VTA!

Joe Pirzynski, Chairperson

2005 VTA Board of Directors

2006 - A Foundation for the Future

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Picture of Cindy Chavez, Chairperson, 2006 VTA Board of Directors.

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As VTA enters a new decade of service to Santa Clara Valley, we stand as a vital component in the economic development of our Valley. While many challenges lie ahead, we bring a renewed commitment to providing efficient and effective transportation to our residents.

To ensure that the Board of Directors and VTA staff are fully engaged with our Advisory Committees and community stakeholders, we are implementing a strategy of Full Participation, Full Information.

To strengthen VTA’s effectiveness, we will undertake the following key initiatives; a Comprehensive Operations Analysis to determine how to better serve Santa Clara County’s diverse communities with efficient and effective public transit options; a Joint Development Program to strengthen the economic foundation of our Valley by building housing and retail near public transit stations; and an assessment of VTA’s financial and organizational business practices and staffing levels.

VTA will continue to deliver the Measure B Transportation Improvement Program and additional projects. Before year’s end, we anticipate completion of; Route 85/U.S. 101 Interchange; operational improvements along Route 17 in Campbell and Route 152 in South County; improved access to Mineta San Jose International Airport via the I-880/Coleman Avenue Interchange; and High-Occupancy Vehicle lanes along Route 87.

Thank you for your continued support. VTA plays a unique role in bolstering our Valley’s economic, social, and cultural foundations. I look forward to the coming year as we continue to improve your roads, your transit, and your quality of life.

Cindy Chavez, Chairperson

2006 VTA Board of Directors

Vision Statement: To provide a transportation system that allows anyone             to go anywhere in the region easily and efficiently.

Mission Statement: To provide the public with a safe and efficient countywide transportation system. The system increases access and mobility, reduces congestion, improves the environment, and supports economic development, thereby enhancing the quality of life.

Meet VTA’s New General Manager

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Picture of Michael T. Burns, VTA General Manager.

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In August 2005, Michael T. Burns joined VTA as our new General Manager. With over 30 years of experience in transportation, he brings a wealth of knowledge and a new direction for VTA. Before coming to VTA, Michael was the Executive Director of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency.

To lead VTA into its next decade, Michael will focus on four major areas: improve and build relationships throughout the County with cities and advocacy groups, to enhance VTA’s role in the region; increase system ridership by offering transportation solutions as diverse as Silicon Valley’s residents and workforce; deliver the transportation capital improvement program; and achieve and sustain financial stability so that VTA can respond appropriately to economic peaks and valleys.

Michael Burns is not only a transit leader but is a committed transit rider. He feels strongly about the benefits of public transportation to the environment, local economy and quality of life for County residents.  

VTA welcomes Michael as our new General Manager!

Written Description of   Picture 7:

Picture of riders boarding VTA Light Rail in downtown Campbell.

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VTA’s Financial Picture

Last year’s financial picture showed much improvement from FY 2004 when VTA faced the possibility of significant service cuts and bonding against future revenues, both caused by a historic decline in sales tax revenues. As a result, VTA tightened its belt and implemented systems to reduce costs, increase efficiencies and enhance revenues.

Evidence of improving financial stability is demonstrated in the Fiscal Years 2006 and 2007 adopted biennial budget. This budget does not include service reductions or fare increases, and the Board-approved reserve policy of 15% of the operating budget is nearly reached during this period. Enhancing stability is an increase in overall system ridership, a trend which has not been seen since 2001. Other cost-saving strategies, such as the refunding of 2001 Sales Tax Revenue Bonds at a lower interest rate, are estimated to produce savings of approximately $17 million. 

A key element in VTA’s current and future financial picture is the funding and delivery of the 2000 Measure A Program. The VTA Board of Directors and staff continue to work diligently to develop a revenue and expenditure plan for Measure A that delivers all the projects in the original measure and provides additional services to enhance the quality of life throughout the County.

VTA’s FY 2006 Operating Budget

FY = Fiscal Year (July 1 through June 30)

This graph shows how operating funds are utilized to provide transit services.

Written Description of Graph 1:

Expenses include Bus & Light Rail Operations at 65%, ADA Paratransit Operations at 8%, Debt Service at 7%, General Administration at 6%, Commuter Rail & Other Contracted Services at 5%, Fiscal Resources at 4%, Technology at 3% and Marketing and Customer Service at 2%.

Note: This graph does not reflect Construction, Congestion Management and Development expenses which are funded through capital programs, grants and federal, state, local and other funds.

End of Written Description of Graph 1.

Operations Report

In FY 2005, VTA operations included: 69 bus routes, serving 326 square miles; service on a 42-mile light rail system; over 1.4 million transit service hours; over 20 million miles of transit service; over 5.7 million miles of paratransit service; total system ridership: 37.08 million boardings. Bus: 30.3 million boardings. Light rail: 6.78 million boardings; and total paratransit ridership: 913,000 trips.

Ridership on both bus and light rail increased from July 2004 to July 2005 by 1.2% and 9%, respectively.

Service Reliability: July - Dec 2005: 99.36% (percent of scheduled service operated for bus and rail)

Safety:  Miles between chargeable accidents: 194,840

Our Big Ten!

This past year, VTA celebrated ten years of service in Santa Clara County. VTA, as it’s known today, was formed in 1995 when County Transit merged activities with Santa Clara County’s Congestion Management Agency to form an independent special district responsible for all transportation functions in the County. As a result of this merger, VTA became a “one-stop shop” for public transit service, transportation planning, and construction with the express purpose of building and maintaining an integrated transportation system for Silicon Valley.

From humble beginnings as County Transit operating a 50-bus fleet, VTA has grown into an all-encompassing transportation agency responsible for public transit (including bus, light rail and paratransit), capital improvement projects, and long-range transportation planning. As additional funding was secured, including revenues from voter-approved local sales tax measures in 1976, 1984, 1996 and 2000, VTA has delivered a myriad of transportation options.

Launching New Services                                   

Vasona Light Rail

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Picture of Passengers waiting at Downtown Campbell Light Rail Station.

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On October 1, 2005, over 1,000 adults and children attended the grand opening of the 5.3-mile Vasona Light Rail extension. This new service provides a convenient link from Campbell and west San Jose to downtown San Jose, and connecting transit services. The new extension includes eight new stations and two Park & Ride lots.

Rapid 522

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Picture of Rapid 522 Buses at Palo Alto Transit Center.

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Rapid 522 service between Palo Alto and east San Jose was introduced July 5, 2005. It incorporates fewer stops, signal priority, queue-jump lanes, 15-minute frequency, and distinctive buses and stops. Rapid service has reduced travel times by up to 25%. Ridership has increased along this corridor by 13%. Future improvements include real-time passenger information, station construction, dedicated bus lanes and additional signal priority.

Community Bus/Light Rail Shuttle Service

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Picture of Los Gatos Community Bus at Winchester Light Rail Station.

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VTA celebrated 4th of July with the launch of Community Bus Service in Los Gatos. VTA worked with representatives from the Town of Los Gatos and neighboring communities to design this premier service connecting Los Gatos to the new Vasona Light Rail Line.

Delivering Transportation Projects

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Picture of VTA Light Rail at Downtown Campbell Light Rail Station. Picture of VTA Light Rail operator. Picture of River Oaks Bike and Pedestrian Bridge. Picture of bicyclers. Picture of  Route 85/U.S. 101 Interchange in Mountain View. Picture of Palo Alto Transit Center.

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Written Description of   Map 1:

County Map highlighting completed projects and continuing projects, described in the following text.

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1996 Measure B Transportation Program

In November 1996, Santa Clara County voters approved Measure B, a landmark nine-year, half-cent sales tax measure to fund local transportation improvements.

VTA and the County, with local, regional, and state support, continue to complete projects that provide vital links in Silicon Valley’s transportation network. With Measure B nearly 95% complete, VTA has maintained an on-time, on-budget delivery record, meeting our commitment to local voters.

Measure B Projects Completed in 2005: Vasona Light Rail, linking downtown San Jose and Campbell; Route 237/Interstate 880 Interchange in Milpitas; Caltrain Service Improvements: double-tracking between Tamien and Lick; Palo Alto Transit Center and Caltrain Historic Depot; and local street/road pavement funding fully allocated by all cities in the County.

Continuing Measure B Projects: Route 85 Noise Mitigation Project through the West Valley; Route 152 Improvements in South County; Route 85/U.S. 101 Interchange in Mountain View; Route 17 Improvements in Campbell; Route 87 HOV Projects between downtown San Jose and the Almaden Valley; River Oaks Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge.

Other Locally Funded Projects

We are hard at work on additional projects to improve mobility throughout Santa Clara County: I-880/Coleman Avenue Interchange to improve access to Mineta San Jose International Airport; Route 152/156 intersection improvements; local road repair projects throughout Silicon Valley; and bicycle and pedestrian access improvements in Sunnyvale, Cupertino, and north San Jose.

In January 2005, VTA authorized $475,000 in grants through our Community Design and Transportation (CDT) Program to the cities of Milpitas, San Jose, Sunnyvale, and Mountain View. Using these grants, our partners will continue to develop policies and capital planning projects to build pedestrian-friendly environments and better connections to public transit.

Building for Our Future

Written Description of   Picture 17:

Photo compilation of Caltrain Baby Bullet Trains, VTA Light Rail Aerial Platform Station, BART Station, Transit-Oriented Housing Development, and a highway with High-Occupancy Vehicle lanes.

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2000 Measure A Transit Program

Measure A, approved by over 70% of local voters in November 2000, included improvement projects for the area’s public transit network: Connecting BART to Silicon Valley; building a people mover connection from Mineta San Jose International Airport to BART, Caltrain, and VTA Light Rail; purchasing clean-air buses and vehicles; expanding and electrifying Caltrain; and increasing rail and bus service.

During 2005, VTA made progress on Measure A: Continued working with local jurisdictions and stakeholders to develop a long-term funding strategy for the Measure A Program; continued preliminary studies and developed cost-reduction strategies on both the BART and Downtown East Valley Programs including the Capitol Expressway Light Rail Project; initiated land-use studies for areas surrounding future BART stations; certified the environmental document for the Capitol Expressway Light Rail Project; began design for Caltrain double-track improvements in South County; initiated a study to assess future capital needs for local Caltrain service improvements and operated zero-emission buses on VTA bus lines.

Valley Transportation Plan 2030

The Valley Transportation Plan (VTP) 2030 is Silicon Valley’s long-range plan of transportation projects. The plan considers all transportation modes and lists efforts to improve mobility, increase access, and reduce traffic congestion. VTP 2030 includes the projects outlined in 2000 Measure A, as well as highway, roadway, bicycle, and pedestrian improvements. Projects also explore new technologies to operate the transportation network effectively.

VTA is executing the plan with the help of local, regional, state, and federal transportation partners. Projects under development include: Caltrain Improvements – South County; High-Occupancy Toll Lanes; I-880/I-280/Stevens Creek Blvd. Interchange improvements in San Jose; Route 237 to Mathilda Avenue eastbound fly-over ramp in Sunnyvale; and Route 25/Santa Teresa Blvd./U.S. 101 Interchange near Gilroy.

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Photo simulation of improved VTA bus stop.

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Planning for Success

In 2005, VTA undertook many initiatives to improve how we provide transportation services to our customers. In learning the best ways to deliver transit services directly from our current and potential customers, we hope to adapt local public transit to provide more attractive commute options.

RIDE Task Force

VTA created the Ridership Initiative to Develop Energy-efficiency (RIDE) Task Force on September 1, 2005 at the request of a broad-based coalition of community interests. The Task Force consists of community, business and labor leaders charged with exploring new, innovative and cost-efficient methods of increasing bus and light rail ridership for both the near and long term.

Comprehensive Operations Analysis

VTA will take a fresh look at how we provide transit services by surveying our current customers and potential riders. The goal is to determine how to deliver cost-effective and competitive services that best meet current and future demands while remaining as efficient as possible.

Joint Development Program

Locating retail, housing, employment centers and recreation areas near transit makes good business sense. VTA’s joint development effort seeks to increase use of public transit by partnering with private firms to create dense, urban centers where people will gather.

Community-Based Transportation Planning

VTA is partnering with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission and local jurisdictions to better understand the transportation needs of residents in low-income communities. VTA, through a collaborative effort involving local community organizations and jurisdictions, is identifying needs in Gilroy and the east San Jose area.

VTA Timeline

1995: VTA is formed.

1996: Eco Pass Program begins; and1996 Measure B passes.

1998: VTA-supported ACE commuter rail and ACE shuttle services begins.

1999: Residential Eco Pass Program begins; and Tasman West Light Rail opens.

2000: 2000 Measure A passes.

2001: Tasman East Phase 1 Light Rail opens; BART Extension to Silicon Valley selected after Major Investment Study; Gilroy Transit Center opens; and initial improvements along Route 17 completed.

2002-2003: Initial improvements along Route 152 to U.S. 101 completed; North Operating Division renovated; articulated buses begin service on Bus Line 22; U.S. 101 Widening completed; Route 85/87 Interchange completed; low-floor light rail vehicles purchased; I-880 Widening completed; and VTA implements Financial Stability Strategy.

2004: VTA-supported Highway 17 Express Bus expanded service begins; Tasman East/Capitol Light Rail opens; Great Mall/Main Transit Center opens; VTA-supported Caltrain “Baby Bullet” service begins; Route 85/U.S. 101 (South) Interchange completed; five more Caltrain round trips to Gilroy negotiated; and VTA certifies state-level environmental document for BART to Silicon Valley.

2005: Zero-emission buses operate in regular service; Caltrain double-tracking between Tamien and Lick completed; Route 237/I-880 Interchange completed; environmental document for Capitol Expressway LRT certified; Community Bus service in Los Gatos begins; Rapid 522 service begins; Vasona Light Rail opens; and improvements to Palo Alto Transit Center and Caltrain Historic Depot open.

About VTA

Written Description of   Illustration 1:

Illustration showing responsibilities of VTA. Transit includes paratransit, commuter rail and bus and light rail. Construction includes transit facilities, rail expansion and highway improvements. Planning and funding includes local and regional funding programs, land-use planning and congestion management.

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The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district responsible for public transit services, specific highway improvements, and countywide transportation planning for Santa Clara County. VTA was officially formed from the merger of the Santa Clara County’s transit district and congestion management agency activities in 1995. 

VTA is both a public transit provider and a multimodal transportation and land-use planning organization involved with transit, highways, roadways, bikeways, and pedestrian facilities.

Acknowledgements

VTA would like to thank the following for their continued cooperation and support as we have grown this past decade:

The residents, workers, and business community of Silicon Valley

The County of Santa Clara

The 15 cities of Santa Clara County: City of Campbell, City of Cupertino, City of Gilroy, City of Los Altos, Town of Los Altos Hills, Town of Los Gatos, City of Milpitas, City of Monte Sereno, City of Morgan Hill, City of Mountain View, City of Palo Alto, City of San Jose, City of Santa Clara, City of Saratoga and City of Sunnyvale

U.S. Department of Transportation

Federal Transit Administration

Federal Highway Administration

California Department of Transportation

California Transportation Commission

Santa Clara County’s Congressional and State Legislative Delegations

American Public Transportation Association

California Transit Association

Silicon Valley Leadership Group

Our local and regional transportation partners, including: Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District, Alameda County Transportation Authority, Alameda County Transportation Improvement Authority, Altamont Commuter Express, Amtrak, Bay Area Air Quality Management District, Bay Area Rapid Transit District, California Fuel Cell Partnership, Caltrain, Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority, Metropolitan Transportation Commission, Monterey-Salinas Transit District, Outreach & Escort Paratransit Services, San Mateo County Transit District, Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation  Commission and Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District

2005 VTA Board of Directors

Joe Pirzynski, Chairperson, Town of Los Gatos

Cindy Chavez, Vice Chairperson, City of San Jose

Nora Campos, City of San Jose

David Casas, City of Los Altos

Dean Chu, City of Sunnyvale

David Cortese, City of San Jose

Don Gage, County of Santa Clara

Ron Gonzales, City of San Jose

Liz Kniss, County of Santa Clara

Robert Livengood, City of Milpitas

Jamie Matthews, City of Santa Clara

Forrest Williams, City of San Jose

Dennis Kennedy, Alternate, City of Morgan Hill

Breene Kerr, Alternate, Town of Los Altos Hills

Pete McHugh, Alternate, County of Santa Clara

Dolly Sandoval, Alternate, City of Cupertino

Ken Yeager, Alternate, City of San Jose

James T. Beall, Jr., Ex-Officio, Metropolitan Transportation Commission

John McLemore, Ex-Officio, Metropolitan Transportation Commission

Contact Information

Santa Clara Valley
Transportation Authority
3331 North First Street
San Jose, CA   95134-1927    

VTA Customer Service: (408) 321-2300

Toll-free (from 650 area code and South Santa Clara County toll area): (800) 894-9908

Hearing Impaired (TDD) only: (408) 321-2330

VTA Website: www.vta.org

BART Extension to Silicon Valley Website: www.vta.org/bart

Downtown East Valley Transit Improvement Plan Website: www.vta.org/projects/dtev

Board of Directors e-mail: board.secretary@vta.org