Santa Clara VTA Riders Union
(not affiliated with the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority)
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(not affiliated with the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority) |
Possible Transit Strike
There may be a transit strike in Santa Clara County on September 8. That date, according to KCBS Newsradio 880, is when bus and light rail operators and mechanics are set to strike in Santa Clara Valley Negotiations between the VTA and ATU Local 265 - the union representing the drivers and mechanics - will continue on September 2, according to VTA General Manager Michael Burns at last Friday's La Raza Roundtable meeting. According to ATU Local 265, the labor dispute is over wages, health benefits, and pensions. Already, ATU 265 has recommended its members not to work overtime and on days off, as of August 18. As a result, some VTA bus and light rail runs may arrive late or not show up. SCVTARU will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed. SCVTARU is also drafting contingency plans in the event of a transit strike August 8. In Other News... Burns At the Roundtable VTA General Manager Michael Burns spoke at the La Raza Roundtable meeting last Friday. He provided an update to negotiations between VTA and ATU Local 265 in regards to a possible transit strike, and on the progress of VTA transit and highway projects. You can listen to Burns' speech here, which is followed by the question and answer section that took place afterward. Please note that Burns' speech will be rebroadcast on September 11 at 8:00pm on Comcast Cable Channel 15 in San Jose, Campbell, and Saratoga. Yet Another Sales Tax Measure There will be another sales tax measure on the November ballot from the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA). At the August 7 VTA Board of Directors' meeting, the VTA Board voted 9-3 to place a 1/8-cent sales tax just for BART to San Jose on the November ballot. According to VTA, the tax would only take effect if the state and federal government commit to funding the extension. VTA Board members, Dave Casas, County Supervisor Don Gage, and Palo Alto Mayor Yoshiri Kishimoto cast the dissenting votes. The 1/8-cent sales tax requires a 2/3 vote to pass. The VTA Board also voted to reaffirm its committment to building light rail in East San Jose, as well as reform how members of the Board outside San Jose are appointed. The full audio of this four-hour long VTA Board meeting is now available on our podcast site. Listen up and enjoy. Light Rail Fare Alert SCVTARU recently received word from a light rail rider who was cited while carrying a day pass token and not an actual day pass. According to the rider, the signs aboard the light rail cars mention a token and cash as valid fare. According to VTA policy, the day pass token must be redeemed for a physical day pass at any ticket vending machine before boarding light rail. SCVTARU strongly advises all light rail riders to always have a valid ticket (one-way ticket, 8-hour light rail pass, day pass, or monthly pass) with you when using light rail. A day pass token or cash does not count as valid fare aboard VTA light rail. If you are caught without valid fare aboard VTA light rail, you could be citied and pay court fines. Want VTA to have more accurate fare policy signs aboard light rail? Let VTA management know and make your voice heard. SCVTARU will continue to monitor this issue.
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SAN JOSE/SILICON VALLEY TRANSIT RIDER ALERTS
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