Santa Clara, Calif. transit launches new light rail, free Wi-Fi
With Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s debut of the VTA Commuter Express, customers will enjoy faster and more frequent light rail service with six newly added, peak-hour commute trips throughout San Jose.
[IMAGE]Santa-Clara-Valley-Commuter-Express-Light-Rail-OpeningFULL-2.jpg[/IMAGE] On Monday, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) made significant improvements to light rail service since its inception nearly 23 years ago. VTA will operate a new non-stop, faster express light rail service now featuring free Wi-Fi.
With the debut of the VTA Commuter Express, customers will enjoy faster and more frequent light rail service with six newly added, peak-hour commute trips from south San Jose, through downtown, to North San Jose.
Customers riding the new Commuter Express light rail will be able to access Wi-Fi free of charge, while on board these trains. Trains with Wi-Fi capability are marked with a “Wi-Fi On Board” sticker. Customers on the VTA Commuter Express will enjoy the added convenience, reduced travel times, and W-iFi for the same fare that VTA charges for existing light rail service.
More Rail
The Invisible Infrastructure of Passenger Flow
What a seat reservation system on Austria’s Railjet trains reveals about the future of rider experience, and why U.S. agencies should pay attention.
Read More →
Caltrain Board Approves FY27 Budget, Endorses Efficiency Measures
The move ensures Caltrain service will continue operating as usual in the near term, but long-term financial challenges remain for the rail agency absent a new revenue source.
Read More →
Alstom Acquires Delaware Site to Support Amtrak NextGen Acela Fleet
The company is investing more than $55 million to acquire and improve the property and will employ approximately 100 people at this site once it is operational.
Read More →
When Routine Fails: How Public Transit Must Adapt for the World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will test transit agencies’ ability to manage unpredictable travel patterns, making real-time data and operational flexibility critical to moving millions of visitors efficiently.
Read More →
California Selects Team for Nation’s First True High-Speed Rail Track and Systems Contract
The board action follows completion of track installation at the 150-acre southern railhead in Kern County, which will serve as the staging and distribution hub for high-speed track and systems installation.
Read More →
Seattle's Sound Transit Launches New Sounder Railcars into Service
Alstom manufactured all the cars under a $46.5 million contract and came into service in anticipation of summer crowds for soccer and baseball.
Read More →
Alstom Partners With Universities to Build Rail Talent Pipeline
The partnerships include a new engineering scholarship fund at Alfred State College in Western New York and collaborations with transportation centers at the University of Pennsylvania and New York University.
Read More →
Chicago's NITA Act Moves Into Next Phase as Service Improvements Begin
Rider-focused improvements will begin rolling out across the system immediately as CTA, Metra, and Pace increase service this summer in the six-county region.
Read More →
Seattle’s Sound Transit Adopts Updated ST3 System Plan
The updated system plan incorporates cost savings across the agency, including new revenue sources and financial policies, to set the agency on a sustainable path for the future.
Read More →
Inside Look: EMBARK Expands Fare-Free Transit Program Through New Public-Private Partnership
The OKC transit agency says sponsorship helps subsidize the Third Friday Free initiative while reducing barriers for first-time riders and boosting ridership across buses, streetcars, and river cruises.
Read More →