No need for a long article, get the gist of the organization here:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_C...tion_Authority
Basically, Santa Clara County's vastly growing Transportation system is indeed in need of its own thread here to voice concerns about the present and future of the system.
Rules: Try not to post things regarding the BART expansion here, there is a separate thread for that, but of course if its a big enough point and major news involving VTA, then sure, go ahead and share. But our focus is on the Bus, Rail, and Shuttle services of VTA locally.
I have some concerns and questions I'd like to fire out to get this thread started:
1.) Is it time for VTA to get smart about fare evaders and install turnstiles (rotating metal gate bars) to crack down on fare collection? Of course some stations are not designed well to handle this but I think some stations should definitely have them (All stations at the ends of lines and transfer stations at least: Almaden, Santa Teresa, Alum Rock, Tasman, Convention Center, Ohlone/Chynoweth, Campbell, and Downtown Mountain View). Let me know what you guys think?
2.) Suggestions on improving ridership? Added rapid-service lines like the 323 and the 522 have been very successful so far. Should we continue? And where should these lines go?
3.) Clipper cards. Good, the bad, and the ugly. What's your opinion on them?
4.) And my personal favorite. "I'd like to go back in time and...." e.g."I'd like to go back in time and convince McEnry to tunnel lightrail undergound through Downtown SJ." Downtown was torn up anyways during construction of the line, it's a shame to see a major transportation line crawl through downtown when people should be able to get there quickly and get out quickly, allowing buses the use of those light rail lanes instead perhaps.
Basically, Santa Clara County's vastly growing Transportation system is indeed in need of its own thread here to voice concerns about the present and future of the system.
Rules: Try not to post things regarding the BART expansion here, there is a separate thread for that, but of course if its a big enough point and major news involving VTA, then sure, go ahead and share. But our focus is on the Bus, Rail, and Shuttle services of VTA locally.
I have some concerns and questions I'd like to fire out to get this thread started:
1.) Is it time for VTA to get smart about fare evaders and install turnstiles (rotating metal gate bars) to crack down on fare collection? Of course some stations are not designed well to handle this but I think some stations should definitely have them (All stations at the ends of lines and transfer stations at least: Almaden, Santa Teresa, Alum Rock, Tasman, Convention Center, Ohlone/Chynoweth, Campbell, and Downtown Mountain View). Let me know what you guys think?
2.) Suggestions on improving ridership? Added rapid-service lines like the 323 and the 522 have been very successful so far. Should we continue? And where should these lines go?
3.) Clipper cards. Good, the bad, and the ugly. What's your opinion on them?
4.) And my personal favorite. "I'd like to go back in time and...." e.g."I'd like to go back in time and convince McEnry to tunnel lightrail undergound through Downtown SJ." Downtown was torn up anyways during construction of the line, it's a shame to see a major transportation line crawl through downtown when people should be able to get there quickly and get out quickly, allowing buses the use of those light rail lanes instead perhaps.