Calif.'s Santa Clara VTA proposes major service overhaul

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The Mercury News reports that the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) unveiled its first major service overhaul in nine years, calling for scaling back or ending bus service on some lightly traveled lines, adding to heavily traveled routes, and possibly restructuring fares.

VTA hopes to vote on the proposal, which will be shopped for comment in a series of nine public hearings, by April. The plan would impact nearly all of its 70 bus lines, plus 42 miles of light rail.

The idea behind VTA’s proposed changes is to operate more service running more frequently where the most riders are, while scaling back or discontinuing trips to outlying locations with the 40-foot buses carrying as few as half-dozen people. For the full story, click here.