Related Links

San Jose, Calif. -As part of its commitment to help the environment and continue supporting alternative fuels and energy savings ideas, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Board of Directors approved VTA’s Sustainability Program last month. 

Under the Sustainability Program, VTA aims to promote the conservation of natural resources, contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gases and the prevention of pollution in the providing of public transportation service. Since the program’s inception, VTA has replaced 10 high-emission vehicles with 10 hybrid vehicles, collected data on VTA’s baseline energy, water/sewer waste use and is researching various sustainable actions including installation of solar power facilities.

VTA is in partnership with the Santa Clara Valley Water District and PG&E to conduct facility audits that identify no-cost and low-cost as well as larger capital investment projects that can be considered for implementation. Among the program strategies are to develop and implement public educational programs to promote the environment benefits of public transit and support sustainable, transit-oriented development along major transit corridors to maximize the use of VTA’s light rail and bus system. VTA also plans to establish benchmarks to measure the progress and performance of VTA’s sustainability program in order to report back to the VTA Board of Directors on an annual basis.

Background

Widespread international attention given to energy efficiency and environmental sustainability as they relate to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the effect on global climate changes prompted a proactive response by many public agencies, businesses and individuals to reduce GHG emissions. In support of this effort, VTA implemented the Sustainability Program to do its part in conserving natural resources. VTA acknowledges this implementation is part of a collective effort by all agencies, businesses, and communities. By establishing guidelines for the program, including goals and implementation strategies, VTA can more consistently consider sustainability in the procurement of products and in the planning, design, construction and operation of VTA’s facilities.     

About VTA

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority is an independent special district responsible for bus, light rail and paratransit operations; congestion management; specific highway improvement projects; and countywide transportation planning. As such, VTA is both an accessible transit provider and multi-modal transportation planning organization involved with transit, highways and roadways, bikeways and pedestrian facilities. VTA provides services to cities throughout the county including Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga and Sunnyvale.

 Go To Top

About VTA
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district responsible for bus, light rail and paratransit operations; congestion management; specific highway improvement projects; and countywide transportation planning. As such, VTA is both an accessible transit provider and multi-modal transportation planning organization involved with transit, highways and roadways, bikeways and pedestrian facilities.

For more information about VTA services, call VTA Customer Service at (408) 321-2300, (408) 321-2330 (TDD only). Or, log on to www.vta.org.