From: VTA Board Secretary <Board.Secretary@vta.org> Sent: Monday, April 29, 2019 3:56 PM To: VTA Board of Directors <VTABoardofDirectors@vta.org> Subject: From VTA: April 29, 2019 Media Clips

VTA Daily News Coverage for Monday, April 29,

2019

1. Milpitas Police Department Eyeing BART Contract (Milpitas Beat)

2. Chief of troubled Muni system to step down in August, under pressure from mayor

(San Francisco Chronicle)

3. Presidential hopeful Kamala Harris gets ‘more specific,’ calls for ban of ‘right to work’

laws (Bizpacreview.com)

4. SEPTA, VTA seek public input on proposed budgets (Progressive Railroading)

5. 2019 Bike Commuter of the Year Winners Announced (Chestnut Post)

Milpitas Police Department Eyeing BART Contract (Milpitas Beat) At April 2, 2019’s City Council meeting, Milpitas Police Chief Armando Corpuz addressed the City Council in regard to a request from the Santa Clara

Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) for supplemental law enforcement at the upcoming Milpitas and Berryessa BART stations.

Milpitas’ new BART station is scheduled to open this coming December. At present, VTA is contracted with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office to

provide supplemental law enforcement services for VTA properties, which include the Light Rail and bus stations, as well as the Milpitas and Berryessa

BART stations. That contract, however, is set to expire on June 30, 2019. Through its research, the Milpitas Police Department has come to expect

that the BART station’s presence will have a public safety impact, as well as

an accordant impact on public resources. If the Milpitas PD gets the VTA contract for Milpitas’ station, they’ll get added funding from the VTA for

resources including equipment and personnel. Whereas the BART Police Department is responsible for the interior of every

BART station, what’s at stake here is the surrounding area and property, which is controlled by the VTA. The VTA will decide which applicant to award

the contract to. While Bernice Alaniz, Director of Business Operations and Communications

for BART Silicon Valley, told The Milpitas Beat that the other applicants are confidential, she did emphasize that “Safety for the public, passengers, and

our employees is first and foremost. Safety has been a priority from the minute those shovels hit the ground and will continue as we deliver service.”

Councilmember Carmen Montano offered Chief Corpuz her blessing, along with whatever help the Council might be able to offer. Councilmember Bob

Nuñez echoed Montano’s sentiments, making the key point that “When the

calls come out, you’re the first one on the scene anyway.” In other words, incidents around the new BART station requiring a law

enforcement presence will first and foremost spur the presence of the Milpitas PD, so it only makes sense for them to go after the contract.

Council unanimously approved the Chief’s request to apply. Back to Top

Chief of troubled Muni system to step down in August, under pressure from mayor (San Francisco Chronicle) The head of San Francisco’s Municipal Transportation Agency is stepping

down amid the fallout from a 10-hour meltdown that choked the city on Friday, drawing anger from City Hall.

“The employment agreement I have with the SFMTA Board of Directors ends in August, and it’s become clear that this is the right time for a change,” Ed

Reiskin wrote in a note to colleagues on Monday. He said he will resign this summer, shortly before his contract expires.

His announcement coincided with a scorching letter from Mayor London Breed — the latest in a series of missives to the city’s main transit board —

calling for a national search to find a new director. The failure of an overhead wire that caused the subway to collapse on Friday

appeared to be the breaking point for Breed, who was already scrutinizing the agency.

“While unplanned outages and service disruptions come with a system as complex as ours, it is our proactive work to prevent these outages and

disruptions from occurring and responding to them head-first when they do

that defines strong leadership,” Breed wrote. “San Franciscans deserve robust contingency plans that are ready to

execute, strong communication plans that are ready to deploy, and a visibly engaged management team that can steer the system through turbulence,”

she continued. “Yet recent incidents at the SFMTA have shown that existing leadership is not up to the task.”

Reiskin took the job in 2011, a novice to the transportation world with plenty of experience running other embattled departments — he’d headed the

city’s 311 call center for complaints and the Department of Public Works. An avid cyclist and public transit rider known for wearing secondhand suits,

Reiskin cut an unassuming figure. He endeared himself to many San Francisco residents while attracting criticisms from others who wanted a

tougher, more visionary leader. But Reiskin, who earns $342,483 a year, has come under increasing

pressure as Muni’s challenges mount. Last summer, a retrofit of the Twin

Peaks tunnel slowed down service throughout the system and highlighted a chronic driver shortage at the agency.

Those problems escalated over the ensuing months, as lawsuits and

employee complaints exposed a culture of bullying and intimidation within the agency. The former director of the Muni bus and subway line abruptly

retired in October, just as the SFMTA was trying to roll out a new fleet of rail cars, which are racking up rider complaints and concerns about safety.

These problems illustrate the heavy demands on any leader of a transportation department, in a city that’s constantly growing. Breed

acknowledged those challenges in her letter, noting that San Francisco failed to adequately invest in its transit system for decades, and the strain is

starting to show. Yet she also criticized Reiskin and other SFMTA leaders for appearing

“paralyzed” as issues piled up. The agency hesitated to crack down on its management until Breed hired an ombudsman to intervene. Managers

hedged when questions arose about door sensors on the new Siemens rail cars, after a woman’s hand got stuck earlier this month, sending her

tumbling onto the tracks.

And it wasn’t until 9:30 p.m. Friday that the agency explained the day-long collapse in its subway system, which elicited new questions about the

maintenance of its overhead wires. Meanwhile, the shortage of bus and train operators persists. The

operators organized a labor action last week, refusing to work on their days off as they negotiate a new three-year contract. It caused delays on more

than a dozen bus lines. Malcolm Heinicke, who chairs the SFMTA’s Board of Directors, praised

Reiskin Monday for eight years of “dedication and persistence.” “The way Ed is departing really speaks to his character,” Heinicke said. “He’s

not complaining about the situation. He’s not saying he was mistreated — none of that. He’s saying, ‘It’s time for me to leave at the end of my

contract.’ But he’s going to carry through and work hard to the end.” Heinicke put Muni under a microscope after taking over as chair this year,

demanding monthly performance reports for the light rail and buses. He said

that in previous years the board had been fixated on big picture plans rather than day-to-day service, which is what stands out most to commuters.

“The challenge is that we have an aging system that wasn’t designed perfectly,” Heinicke said. “But we’ve all been on the system when it runs

properly, and we all know how great that can be.” Back to Top

Presidential hopeful Kamala Harris gets ‘more specific,’ calls for ban of ‘right to work’ laws (Bizpacreview.com) (mention of VTA case)

Democrat presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris indicated Saturday that if elected president, she intends to continue catering to the interests

of powerful, politically connected unions over those of individual workers by

banning what are known as right-to-work laws. Speaking at the so-called National Forum on Wages and Working People, she

specifically said that wants to use “legislation” and “the bully pulpit” to strengthen the alleged rights of unions.

“Let’s be more specific — it has to be about banning right-to-work laws,” the 2020 hopeful said.

Listen: Right-to-work laws protect individual workers from bullying by unions. In

states that lack right-to-work laws, unions may force fees on all workers, even those who prefer to not be in a union.

Imagine for instance that you work as a plumber for a local company, and you and your co-workers generally enjoy your work and are happy with your

pay. Then suddenly a group of politically connected bureaucrats descend into town and demand you join their union.

Suppose though that you and your coworkers don’t want to join because you

don’t want to pay their ridiculously exorbitant $450 annual fee. In a state that lacks right-to-work protections, you and your coworkers would have no

other choice but to bend the knee and sign up. If you lived in one of the following mostly Republican-operated states, on the

other hand, you’d have the right to tell the bureaucrats to bugger off and leave you and your co-workers alone:

Alabama

Arizona

Arkansas

Florida

Georgia

Idaho

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Michigan

Mississippi

Nebraska

Nevada

North Carolina

North Dakota

Oklahoma

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

Notice that Harris’s home state of California isn’t on the list …

Because of the state’s lack of right-to-work laws, an estimated 5,000 local government employees were forced to pay “millions of dollars in fees” to one

of the most powerful unions in the country, the Service Employees International Union. Led by William Hough of the Santa Clara Valley

Transportation Authority (VTA), last year these 5,000 workers reportedly tried to fight back by filing suit against the SEIU with the help of the National

Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation. “Hough has worked at the VTA since 2005. He exercised his right to refrain

from joining SEIU Local 521 because he did not wish to support it in any way. However, he and other non-union member employees were forced to

pay union fees as a condition of employment under state law,” the foundation wrote in a press release at the time of the suit’s filing last

August. “California’s law authorizes SEIU Local 521 and its affiliates to extract union

fees from non-union members as a condition of employment. In the lawsuit,

Hough claims that the applicable statute, and any other statute that authorizes Local 521 to collect forced union fees from public employees

without their affirmative consent, violates the First Amendment. He asks the court to declare those laws unconstitutional.”

In the liberal utopia envisioned by Harris, such lawsuits would be dead on arrival, regardless of the state. In fact, as it stands the Democrat-led

House is reportedly planning to introduce legislation that would essentially repeal and invalidate all currently active right-to-work laws.

“The legislation, dubbed the ‘Protecting the Right to Organize Act’ includes several other changes that would benefit unions. A House Education and

Labor Committee source confirmed that Democrats plan to unveil the bill in a matter of weeks,” the Washington Examiner reported earlier this month.

Given the 2020 contender’s relentless promotion on social media of unions, it’s probably fair to assume that she’s a zealous supporter of this planned

legislation.

Back to Top

SEPTA, VTA seek public input on proposed budgets (Progressive Railroading) (VTA mention)

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is seeking public feedback on its proposed fiscal-year 2020 capital budget and FY2020-

2031 capital program.

Two public hearings will be held today; the public can submit comments about the proposals online.

Through the capital budget and program, the authority aims to advance its

"Rebuilding the System" initiative that calls for renewing critical infrastructure, upgrading the fleet, expanding rail capacity and making

technological improvements.

Covering the 12-month period from July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020, the FY2020 capital budget is proposed at $675 million, including all anticipated

state funding.

SEPTA had prepared a version of the budget that deferred dozens of critical improvement projects due to a lawsuit challenging the use of Pennsylvania

Turnpike funds for public transportation, authority officials said in a press release. Although a federal judge dismissed the lawsuit April 4, the decision

has been appealed, they added.

Should full funding be restored, SEPTA plans to advance a number of major

initiatives, including communications and signal system improvements; safety and security upgrades; a fare modernization project; vehicle

purchases and overhauls; a bridge improvement program; stations, loops and parking improvements; and upgrades to maintenance facilities, shops

and offices.

Meanwhile, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) officials plan to hold public meetings on May 6, 8 and 9 to review and solicit comments on

the agency’s proposed FY2020 and FY2021 biennial budget.

The authority is proposing operating budgets of $505.4 million in FY2020 and $509.9 million in FY2021, and a combined capital budget of $216.7

million for the two fiscal years. The budget does not propose fare increases.

Staff members presented the proposed biennial budget to the VTA's board

April 19 and will seek approval at the June 6 board meeting. If approved, the budget will be implemented July 1.

Back to Top

2019 Bike Commuter of the Year Winners Announced (Chestnut Post) This week Bay Area Bike to Work Day (BTWD) organizers named the winners of the 2019 Bike Commuter of the Year awards. Given to individuals for

inspiring bicycling in their Bay Area communities, the Bike Commuter of the

Year award recognizes a winner from each of the nine San Francisco Bay Area counties for their commitment to bicycling as their primary mode of

transport.

The 2019 winners include Sergeant Dave Thompson from Sonoma County, a

27-year veteran of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office. Since 2014, he’s been making the 16-mile round-trip commute from his home in Windsor to

the Sheriff’s Office in Santa Rosa just part of his regular day. “While coworkers may arrive in the office grumbling that they need coffee to get

going, I just rode eight miles in the fresh air – that’s MY coffee!” In San Mateo County, Avana Andrade’s work on San Mateo County’s Climate Action

Plan has given her a keen awareness that transportation is one of the county’s largest sources of emissions. She practices what she preaches and

shares her love of bike commuting – even during this year’s fierce winter storms – with people who say that the joy she exudes is infectious and

inspiring. Here is the complete list of 2019 Bike Commuter of the Year award winners:

Alameda County: Carol Lahti has been bike commuting in the Bay

Area for 23 years – first in Hercules and now in Albany, but she’s been

riding since childhood. You’ll see her biking early in the morning to

catch the ferry to work at Genentech in South San Francisco and late

at night on her ride home. To Carol, her commute feels like vacation

every day.

Contra Costa County: John Cunningham, a longtime cyclist and

principal planner for Contra Costa County’s Transportation Planning

Division, literally pedals the talk to help make infrastructure

improvements for cyclists and pedestrians throughout the county. But

it’s not all about work for him. “By riding my bike to work I save

money, stay healthy, and reduce my stress levels at the same time!”

says John.

Marin County: Brian Lehman has been bike commuting to work for

15 years. His 15-mile round trip commute from his home in Santa

Venetia to his job as publications manager for the California Film

Institute in downtown San Rafael is his way of making an impact on

the environment. According to Brian, “I have not used a car to

commute since late 2004 and have not owned a car since 2013!”

Napa County: Aileen Carroll fell in love with bike commuting while at

college in San Louis Obispo, and made a conscious choice to live within

biking distance of her job at Van Winden’s Garden Center. Her two-

mile commute is often the best part of her morning, and always a

good way to unwind after the workday. And Dave Kearney Brown,

a Napa native and 3rd grade teacher at Napa Valley Language

Academy fondly recalls his first bike – a blue Sting Ray with a banana

seat and butterfly handlebars. He rode that bike everywhere, and still

rides everywhere, proudly noting that he recently went three months

using just a single tank of gas in his car.

San Francisco County: Ricky Ramos moved to San Francisco in 2011

as an SFSU student and he’s been biking all over the Bay Area ever

since. For first time commuters, Ricky says, “You don’t have to be an

avid biker to start biking to work – the joy of riding on two wheels

starts with just one day!”

San Mateo County: Avana Andrade (see above) empowers others to

get out of their cars and onto their bikes by offering advice and

teaching them things like how to fix a flat tire.

Santa Clara County: Marc Graci committed to riding his bike eight

miles round trip from Campbell to his job as a math teacher at

Discovery Charter School in San Josefor the whole 2018-19 school

year. Winter rains didn’t stop him and his goal is now in sight. He’s

even incorporated biking into some of his lessons!

Solano County: Paul Meltzer traded in his car for a multi-modal

commute by bike and train – 44 miles round trip – from his home

in Fairfield to his job at the Shell Oil Refinery in Martinez – a true

commitment to lowering his carbon foot print and making a difference

for the environment and getting a work out. “Biking to work is a great

way to get exercise, and I’ve even persuaded some of my colleagues

to give it a try.”

Sonoma County: Sergeant Dave Thompson’s (see above),

commitment doesn’t stop with his daily commute; he gives back to the

cycling community as a volunteer with the Sonoma County Bicycle

Coalition’s Safe Routes to School program.

Each winner will receive a set of panniers from Mike’s Bikes, a laminated, boxed set of San Francisco Bay Trail map cards from the Association of Bay

Area Governments (ABAG) and a cycling jersey from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD). You can read all about the winners

at https://bayareabiketowork.com/bike-commuters-of-the-year/.

Many of the winners will be honored on Bike to Work Day — the Bay Area’s premier bicycling celebration — on Thursday, May 9, 2019. The awards are

part of many events scheduled during the San Francisco Bay Area’s National Bike Month celebration this May.

Take the pledge to ride on BTWD 2019 – May 9 Bay Area Bike to Work Day is May 9! We encourage everyone to take the

pledge to ride on Bike to Work Day 2019 and help break our Bike to Work Day ridership record! Go here to find your county and take the pledge

today. And when riders take the pledge, they can enter into a drawing for a

fabulous vacation package to the Alaskan Kenai Peninsula, donated by Exodus Travel and Alaska Airlines! Complete information about BTWD

2019 can be found at bayareabiketowork.com. There’s still time to sign up to participate in the Bay Area Bike

Challenge! The Challenge gets underway May 1 – but there’s still time to sign up as an

individual or as part of a team of up to 10 friends, family members, coworkers or neighbors. Participants compete for top honors and bragging

rights by collectively riding thousands of miles all month long. The Challenge runs through May 31. To register,

visit https://www.lovetoride.net/bayarea?locale=en-US. Bay Area Bike to Work Day encourages local residents to try commuting on

two wheels for the first time and celebrates those who regularly bike and is presented by MTC (the transportation planning, financing and coordinating

agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area), 511 (the region’s

traveler information system) and Alaska Airlines. Bike to Work Day 2019 also receives regional support from the Bay Area Air Quality Management

District (BAAQMD), Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), Clif Bar and Exodus Travels, as well as many sponsors at the local level. Bike to Work Day’s

media sponsor is NBC Bay Area-KNTV/Telemundo 48. In addition to BAAQMD, prizes for the Bike Commuter of the Year winners were donated by

the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) and Mike’s Bikes. Back to Top

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From: VTA Board Secretary <Board.Secretary@vta.org> Sent: Tuesday, April 30, 2019 4:26 PM To: VTA Board of Directors <VTABoardofDirectors@vta.org> Subject: From VTA: April 30, 2019 Media Clips

VTA Daily News Coverage for Tuesday, April 30,

2019 1. VTA buses crash in San Jose, sending 10 passengers to hospital (San Francisco

Chronicle)

2. Bus Crash (KCBS Radio)

3. 2 VTA Buses Collide, Hospitalizing Multiple Passengers (Campbell Patch)

4. Update: 13 people injured when VTA buses collide in San Jose (Mercury News)

5. Multiple People Injured in Crash Between VTA Buses (NBC Bay Area)

6. Multiple injured when VTA buses collide in San Jose (KRON 4 News)

7. Caltrain tax falls short in poll Palo Alto Daily Post

VTA buses crash in San Jose, sending 10 passengers to hospital (San Francisco Chronicle) A collision involving two Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority buses in San Jose on Tuesday morning left “approximately” 13 people with injuries

and sent several people to the hospital, authorities said. Around 6:40 a.m., two VTA buses crashed into each other in a “rear end

collision” near The Alameda and West Julian Street, agency spokeswoman

Holly Perez said. San Jose police responded to the scene, where roughly 13 passengers

suffered non-life-threatening injuries, police said. Ten passengers were taken to the hospital.

VTA buses traveling westbound on the 22 and 522 lines were re-routed for about two hours as authorities cleared the area. The two buses involved in

the crash were towed from the scene. Police do not suspect alcohol or drugs were a factor in the crash.

Back to Top

Bus Crash (KCBS Radio) (Link to audio)

2 VTA Buses Collide, Hospitalizing Multiple Passengers (Campbell Patch) The crash was reported shortly before 7 a.m. at the corner of The Alameda and West Julian Street.

Multiple people were taken to a hospital after a crash between two Santa

Clara Valley Transportation Authority buses in San Jose on Tuesday morning, a VTA spokeswoman said.

The crash was reported shortly before 7 a.m. at the intersection of The Alameda and West Julian Street, VTA spokeswoman Holly Perez said. One

bus rear-ended the other, causing injuries to passengers on board, Perez said.

She did not immediately know how many people were injured or hospitalized, but said none of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening.

The intersection reopened by about 9 a.m. and the crash remains under investigation by San Jose police, according to Perez.

Back to Top

Update: 13 people injured when VTA buses collide in San Jose (Mercury News) Crash happened Tuesday morning on The Alameda

Thirteen people were injured Tuesday morning when two Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority buses were involved in a collision on The Alameda,

according to San Jose police.

Two Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority buses, including the one pictured, were involved in a crash on April 30, 2019 on The Alameda in San

Jose, injuring 13 people. (Mark Gomez/Bay Area News Group.) At about 6:40 a.m., two buses were involved in a crash on The Alameda at

Julian Street. San Jose police initially reported that “approximately 12 passengers sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to

local hospitals.” Later Tuesday morning, San Jose police provided new information, saying 13

people were injured, including 10 taken to hospitals with injuries that were not life-threatening.

While the crash remains under investigation, VTA spokeswoman Holly Perez said initial reports indicate the buses were involved in a “rear end” situation.

San Jose police said it does not appear alcohol or drugs were factors in the crash.

Traffic was shut down in the westbound direction of Santa Clara Street for a

few hours following the crash. Check back for more information on this story.

Back to Top

Multiple People Injured in Crash Between VTA Buses (NBC Bay Area) Multiple people were taken to a hospital after a crash between two Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority buses in San Jose on Tuesday morning,

a VTA spokeswoman said.

The crash was reported shortly before 7 a.m. at the intersection of The

Alameda and West Julian Street, VTA spokeswoman Holly Perez said. One bus rear-ended the other, causing injuries to passengers on board,

Perez said. She did not immediately know how many people were injured or hospitalized, but said none of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening.

The intersection reopened by about 9 a.m. and the crash remains under investigation by San Jose police, according to Perez.

Back to Top

Multiple injured when VTA buses collide in San Jose (KRON 4 News) A number of people were injured when two VTA buses collided in San Jose

Tuesday morning. A VTA bus rear-ended another VTA bus at around 6:55 a.m. at the

intersection of The Alameda and Julian, according to officials. Some passengers were taken to the hospital with unknown injuries.

It’s unclear how many people were injured in the crash. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Line 22 and Line 522 are being rerouted in the Westbound direction due to the accident.

Line 22 and Line 522 WESTBOUND: From Santa Clara Street, buses will turn right on Stockton, left on Taylor, right on Alameda to regular route.

Back to Top

Caltrain tax falls short in poll Palo Alto Daily Post A survey commissioned by Caltrain shows that if the commuter railroad were

to put a tax on the ballot, it wouldn’t get enough votes to pass. Caltrain hired EMC Research of Oakland to poll 1,416 likely voters to see if

they would support either an eighth-of-a-cent or a quarter-cent sales tax

hike. The eighth-of-a-cent hike would raise $100 million a year, and the quarter-

cent $200 million. Such taxes would require a two-thirds, or 66.7%, approval in the three

counties that Caltrain serves: San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara. According to EMC’s polling, only 63% of respondents said they would vote

for a Caltrain tax. Once EMC gave the respondents some arguments in favor of Caltrain and

how the tax would help the trains, 66% said they’d vote for the tax, still just a bit short of the needed two-thirds supermajority. But, after EMC read

some arguments against the tax, only 55% of respondents said they’d vote for the tax.

Opposition arguments tested

EMC warns that the tax is vulnerable to opposition, and the opponents would

use an argument like this: “The new gas tax and bridge tolls are already supposed to be going toward

transit, but there’s just no way public transit improvements are going to significantly relieve the terrible traffic on our clogged freeways or roads.”

EMC also anticipates opponents would say that tech companies in the area ought to pay for improvements in the area, “and it’s just not fair to saddle

the taxpayers with a 30-year tax to subsidize a public transit system that only serves a small number of high-income tech commuters.”

But EMC said a tax hike stands a better chance of winning if proponents said it would reduce traffic on the freeways and El Camino Real, reduce air

pollution and that the tax would have a detailed expenditure plan. Despite the poll, EMC says Caltrain officials shouldn’t lose hope.

“While it’s not quite at the required two-thirds support today, with the right environment and effort, a sales tax measure for Caltrain may be feasible in

2020,” EMC’s report says.

Support strongest in San Mateo County A tax had the most support in San Mateo County (68%), followed by San

Francisco (67%) and Santa Clara County (60%). Chief Communications Officer Seamus Murphy said in a memo to the

Caltrain board that the tax would “provide Caltrain with a dedicated funding source.” Currently, Caltrain is subsidized by transit agencies in the three

counties it serves. Caltrain’s Board of Directors will review EMC’s poll data at 10 a.m. Thursday

(May 2) at 1250 San Carlos Ave. in San Carlos. Back to Top

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From: VTA Board Secretary <Board.Secretary@vta.org> Sent: Wednesday, May 1, 2019 4:27 PM To: VTA Board of Directors <VTABoardofDirectors@vta.org> Subject: VTA Information - May 2, 2019 Board of Directors Meeting Materials

VTA Board of Directors:

Attached you will find comments for the following Agenda Items for the May 2, 2019 Board of

Directors meeting attached and on our website via the link below:

Agenda Item #8.2 – 2019 New Transit Service Plan

Agenda Item #9.3 – Items of Concern and Referral to Administration

The following PowerPoint presentations can now be viewed on our website via the link below:

Agenda Item #8.2 – 2019 New Transit Service Plan

Agenda Item #9.1.B – BART Silicon Valley Program Update

You may review the entire packet with the revised items on our website.

Thank you,

VTA Office of the Board Secretary

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority

3331 N. First Street

San Jose, CA 95134

board.secretary@vta.org (e-mail)

(408) 321.5680 (telephone)

(408) 955.0891 (fax)

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From: VTA Board Secretary <Board.Secretary@vta.org> Sent: Thursday, May 2, 2019 8:44 AM To: VTA Board of Directors <VTABoardofDirectors@vta.org>; VTA Advisory Committee Members <VTAAdvisoryCommitteeMembers@vta.org> Subject: Milestones Approaching for Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Project

VTA Board of Directors and Advisory Committee Members:

Please share this blogpost (text is below) about Eastridge to BART Regional Connector with your network and/or constituents.

Thank you.

-----------------------------

Milestones Approaching for Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Project 5/1/2019 5:39 PM | Kathleen Podrasky

In the coming weeks, community members will see a flurry of activity along the light rail extension corridor to East San Jose . VTA is on the path to approve the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Report-2 (SEIR-2) – a formal document and process that addresses design and engineering updates made since 2016. This project will extend light rail by 2.4 miles along Capitol Expressway in San Jose from the existing Alum Rock Transit Center to the Eastridge Transit Center. The extension includes elevated tracks along Capitol Expressway, an elevated station at Story Road, and a ground-level station at the Eastridge Transit Center. This revised design is safer and will allow light rail service to travel at faster speeds avoiding vehicle traffic intersections. The updates to the light rail design and engineering required VTA to develop a second Draft SEIR. The report focuses on how the design changes could impact the environment (noise, vibration, and traffic), and makes recommendations for mitigating those impacts. In June of 2018, VTA hosted a public scoping meeting, followed by a circulation of the Draft SEIR-2 and a public meeting in October of 2018. VTA staff received over 60 comments from the community, City of San Jose, and County of Santa Clara. The Final SEIR-2 set for release in mid-May thoroughly addresses every comment received. In the meantime, project updates have been presented to neighborhood associations, VTA’s Eastridge to BART Regional Connector Policy Advisory Board, the Capitol Program Committee, and the VTA Board of Directors. These meetings and the feedback received have contributed to VTA’s understanding of the various stakeholders and the concerns of citizens, all of which help support this project moving forward. Once the Final SEIR-2 is released in mid-May, it will be available on the project web page. The VTA Board is then scheduled to consider approving the environmental document at its June 6 meeting. Over the next couple of weeks, the community will see the first visible field work. Notices have been delivered to residents and businesses along the corridor sharing information in multiple languages about the geotechnical boring for utility investigations taking place at various locations on Capitol Expressway and streets adjacent to the expressway.

VTA staff continues to meet with neighborhood associations, identifying and reaching out to stakeholders, and responding to inquiries. Community Outreach and Public Engagement and Engineering staff will present a project update to the Tully Ocala Cunningham King Neighborhood Association on May 6, and the Thompson Creek Neighborhood Association on May 9. If your neighborhood association, HOA, PTA, or other community group would like us to make a presentation on this project, or any other VTA project, contact Community Outreach and Public Engagement at 408-321-7575, or email us at community.outreach@vta.org.

Board Secretary’s Office Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority 3331 North First Street, Building B San Jose, CA 95134-1927 Phone 408-321-5680 board.secretary@vta.org

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April 29th, 2019 VTA Board of Directors 3331 North First Street San Jose, CA 95134  Dear Chairperson Teresa O’Neill, Vice Chairperson Cindy Chavez and the VTA Board,   On behalf of the current and future transit riders of Almaden, Blossom Hill and Santa Teresa, I highly encourage the board to accept staff’s new recommendation to merge Routes 63 and 64 to provide coverage further south and to convert the current Route 13 into a much improved Route 83. The residents of San Jose’s District 10 need frequent and reliable bus service to connect with the essential services provided by doctor’s offices, health clinics, grocery stores, and schools. Saving Route 64 and moving forward with Route 83 is a great way to start.   For background purposes, I am a Board Member of the Almaden Valley Community Association (AVCA), member of the District 10 Leadership Coalition, founding member of the Friends of Guadalupe Oak Grove Park and a resident of District 10 along with my wife and daughter. I attended three meetings on VTA’s New Transit Service Plan and met frequently with neighbors and leaders in the area. My neighbors explained to me the history of VTA service in District 10 and their hopes for the future of service. Their message was clear: Almaden needs these lifeline routes, which offer the only transit option for many of our seniors and students.   I applaud the work of staff members such as Jaye Tyree and Kermit Cuff who worked with residents to establish the best plan with community input and the resources available. The engagement process was impressive as your team received 1,520 comments and suggestions via email and from direct in-person conversations, 6,400 engagements on Twitter, 1,500 engagements on Facebook and thousands of visits to your website. It is clear that staff worked tirelessly to identify win-win solutions with residents and I can confidently say that a number of District 10 residents are happy with the updated proposal that preserves bus service in our valley.   However, there is still plenty of work to do. We understand that VTA is in a financial bind and will need to continue to re-evaluate future service. Our neighbors in Almaden, Santa Teresa, and Blossom Valley are ready to continue to work with VTA to ensure that the best possible solutions move forward and the service needs of our neighbors are satisfied. I look forward to working with you and your staff in the future to achieve our shared goals.   Please feel free to reach out to me for any reason.   Warm Regards,   Matt Mahan AVCA Board Member, Member of the District 10 Leadership Coalition, Founding Member of the Friends of River Oak Guadalupe Park and D10 Resident matthew.mahan@gmail.com  

MONICA MALLON14854 Union Ave, San Jose, CA 95124

(408) 805-0566 monicamallon@icloud.com

May 1, 2019

VTA Board of Directors3331 North First StreetSan Jose, CA 95134

Dear VTA Board,

I am unable to attend the board meeting on Thursday because my dad is graduating from college at the same time. So I wanted to write a letter to express my final thoughts on the New Transit Service Plan.

As I am sure you already know from my previous public comments, I am against the proposed elimination of route 65 and the lack of investment in bus service. I hope that you will consider reallocating Measure B funds to provide the level of bus service that various ballot measures have promised over the years. Transit has the power to change lives and save our environment. Highway expansions will fill up, but a significant investment in bus service could get people out of their cars. I was born in 1997, so I have many more years of life left. My generation will have to deal with the negative environmental impacts of our car-dependent culture in ways that your generation won’t.

This isn't just about saving a route that people in my community rely on to get around. I would actually like to see us have a world-class transit system that would appeal to choice-riders and transit-dependent riders.

On Thursday, you will have the power to vote to follow the status quo and continue to prioritize BART and highway expansions over bus service, or you can vote to expand bus service and enter a new era.

Please do the right thing. My generation is counting on you.

Sincerely,

Monica Mallon

2019 New Transit Service Plan

VTA Board of DirectorsMay 2019

Agenda Item 8.2

Final Staff Recommendation

2

Increase Ridership

Integrate BART Stations into 

Transit Network

ImproveCost‐Effectiveness

Goals of the 2019 New Transit Service Plan

1 2 3

2008 – today Current transit plan

2017 Next Network transit plan adopted (never implemented)

2018 VTA Board direction to develop modified Next Network plan

2019 2019 New Transit Service Plan

3

New network implementedwith BART Phase 1 opening

Current Service

1.66 Mservice hours

70/30ridership/coverage

Next Network

1.81 Mservice hours

83/17ridership/coverage

Service Plan

1.67 Mservice hours

90/10ridership/coverage

2019 New Transit

4

Intensive Community Engagement (January and February)

5

6 Public MeetingsYouTube Live Virtual Meeting,

Social Media Campaign26 CommunityDiscussions

multilingual flyers + project website+ newspaper ads

over 1,500 comments received

Title VI and Paratransit Analyses

6

Title VI Service Equity Analysisgeographic analysis of service changes in 

relation to vulnerable communities

causes no disparate impact to minority communities

causes no disproportionate burden to low‐income communities

VTA Access Paratransit Analysisgeographic analysis of fixed route service changes’ impacts on Access 

service availability

no impact to VTA Access weekday service area (same as Next Network)

Light Rail Plan

Shortened to Baypointe

No change

No change

Replaced with bus route

7

compared to Next Network...

NO CHANGE FROM DRAFT PLAN

change

8

Strong demand for mobility on overnight trips, particularly for service workers and low‐income residents

1 from draft plan

Draft PlanDiscontinue trips between 

1 – 4 am

Final PlanMaintain trips between

1 – 4 am

Route 22

change

9

Staff currently working on Express Bus study  transition to partnership model in early 2020 (third‐party subsidy to support service)

2 from draft plan

Draft PlanReduce Express Bus 

program expenses by half(eliminate some routes andindividual trips on others)

Final PlanDefer all cuts, 

achieve savings with partnership Express program in early 2020

Express Bus Program

change

10

3 from draft plan

Draft Planno changes

Final PlanModify route to serve

San Jose VAMexican ConsulateCarrington College

Northeastern UniversitySan Andreas Regional Center

Route 42

11

Final PlanModify route to serve

San Jose VAMexican ConsulateCarrington College

Northeastern UniversitySan Andreas Regional Center

changes

12

4 from draft plan

Draft Planreplace Almaden light rail with bus Route 80 and discontinue Route 13

Final PlanConsolidate 63, 64, 80

into Route 64 (with two branches 64a, 64b)

and maintain Route 13 (now #83)

Routes 63, 64, and Almaden Valley

Consolidation reduces operating cost and improves efficiency, resources used to maintain Route 13 service as Route 83 (suggestion from community)

5+

13Draft Plan Final Plan

change

14

6 from draft plan

Draft Planimprove early morning and evening frequency from 20 to 15 minutes

Final PlanDefer improvements until demand warrants and 

resources permit

Route 522

Ridership demand on these trips does not justify additional frequency at this time

change

15

7 from draft plan

Draft Planno changes

Final PlanImprove midday frequency north of Milpitas BARTfrom 30 to 15 minutes

Route 66

Expand the Frequent Network north in Milpitas and better BART connections

Local Transit Service at Milpitas

16

36 buses + trainswill depart Milpitasper hour

Local Transit Service at Berryessa

17

32 buseswill depart Berryessaper hour

Blue Line and Route 65

18

Blue Line#4 of Top 5 comments on draft plan

Blue Line turnback at Baypointe remains in final plan

staff will monitor light rail transfers at Milpitas BART

Route 65 (San Jose – Leigh Ave)#5 of Top 5 comments on draft plan

very low ridership anddoes not meet minimum productivity route is not included in final plan

Major Changes Already Adopted in Next Network Plan

19

More High‐Ridership Service+ New light rail Orange Line+ Light rail frequency improvements+ New Rapid 523 and Rapid 500+ Establish extensive Frequent Network+ Frequency and span improvements on 

17 Frequent routes+ Frequency and span improvements on 

10 Local routes+ New Cupertino—Sunnyvale Rapid bus+ Better service to SJC, Gavilan, De Anza, 

Lockheed Martin, SJSU, Kaiser San Jose,West Valley College, Valley Fair,Mission College, Alviso

+ 8 new routes

Less Low‐Ridership Service‒ Discontinue 17‒ Discontinue 34‒ Discontinue 45‒ Discontinue 58‒ Discontinue 88‒ Discontinue Limited 304, 321, 328, 330‒ Discontinue Fremont BART Express Buses 

120, 140, 180, 181

Next Networkis foundation for this plan

Jobs Within a 1‐Hour Transit Ride of Milpitas BART

20

431,000 (+105,000)326,000proposal

today

Palo Alto

Mt View

Cupertino

SunnyvaleSantaClara

San Jose

Milpitas

Los Gatos

Jobs Within a 1‐Hour Transit Ride of Downtown Mountain View

21

363,000 (+47,000)316,000proposal

today

Palo Alto

Mt View

Cupertino

Sunnyvale

SantaClara

San Jose

Milpitas

Los Gatos

Jobs Within a 1‐Hour Transit Ride of De Anza College

22

477,000 (+62,000)415,000proposal

today

Palo Alto

Mt View

Cupertino

Sunnyvale SantaClara San Jose

Milpitas

Los Gatos

Residents Within a 1‐Hour Transit Ride of SJSU

23

943,000 (+41,000)902,000proposal

today

Palo Alto

Mt View

Cupertino

SunnyvaleSantaClara

San Jose

Milpitas

Los Gatos

Additional Residents Within an Hour Transit Ride of…

24

San Jose (SJSU)+41,000

Los Gatos+99,000

Saratoga+8,000

Cupertino (De Anza)+62,000

Campbell+76,000

Los Altosno change

Mountain View+47,000

Palo Altono change

Santa Clara (Caltrain)+95,000

Milpitas+37,000

Morgan Hillno change

Gilroyno change

Sunnyvale+84,000

25

Residents Near Frequent Transit

570,000today

Palo Alto

Mt View

Cupertino

SunnyvaleSantaClara

San Jose

Milpitas

Los Gatos

MorganHill

Gilroy

26

836,000 (+266,000)570,000proposal

today

Residents Near Frequent Transit

Palo Alto

Mt View

Cupertino

SunnyvaleSantaClara

San Jose

Milpitas

Los Gatos

MorganHill

Gilroy

27

380,000today

Jobs Near Frequent Transit

Palo Alto

Mt View

Cupertino

SunnyvaleSantaClara

San Jose

Milpitas

Los Gatos

MorganHill

Gilroy

28

380,000today

Jobs Near Frequent Transit

584,000 (+204,000)proposal

Palo Alto

Mt View

Cupertino

SunnyvaleSantaClara

San Jose

Milpitas

Los Gatos

MorganHill

Gilroy

More Cost‐Effective Service

7‐9%higher ridershipafter 24 months

1%higher service hours

29

compared to today’s network

Transit Performance Monitoring Program

30

Transit Performance Monitoring Program

‐monitoring‐ reporting‐ analysis

service change recommendations driven by 

data and policy

minorchanges

majorchanges

implemented quarterly

implemented annually(with full public engagement process)

May Staff recommendation to VTA Board of Directors

June >

July  > Implementation activities (scheduling, signage, passenger materials,

August > service marketing campaign, operator training, etc.)

September >

Late 2019 New service starts when BART service begins

Quarterly Transit Performance Report + Analysis + Service Changes

Next

31

Extra Slides

gradual but persistent  slowdown in transit speed

increased cost of service

service cuts

fewer riders (more driving)

increased congestion

14.1 MPH1988

12.8 MPH2005

12.6 MPH2001

11.6 MPH2016

Average Bus Speed, Systemwide

33

Next Step is Fast Transit Program

Original Next NetworkLight Rail Plan

34

Productivity for VTA Express Bus &  VTA Local Bus

15riders onboard

each bus trip

42%full

(seats occupied)

6.3boardings

per hour

3%farebox

recovery

$33.09cost per boarding

19.2 11% $8.33

35

Route 65

36

13.1boardings

per hour

$1,250,000marginal cost

of service

12.3boardingsper hour

(est.)

$830,000marginal cost

of service

current service

Next Network

Gilroy Service

37

6.8boardings

per hour

Route 17

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

901

902

900

201 46 22 23 53 73 66 72 64 25 54 70 77 82 522 26 71 40 57 31 55 68 47 61 10 39 323 60 88 52 81 62 32 16 42 18 63 27 45 65 89 35 37 19 48 58 13 14 34 304 49 17 321

330

328

Boardings per Hour

15

176538

BART Silicon ValleyProgram Update

– Phase I, Berryessa Extension

VTA Board of Directors MeetingMay 2019

Agenda Item 9.1.B

VTA’s BART Silicon Valley Program

Phase I: Berryessa Extension – Current Activities

VTA/Contractor Status

• Civil/Structural is completed, remaining punch list work to be completed in June

• Stations continue in final pre-revenue cleaning and turn over, closeout of final campus

contracts late 3rd quarter

• Traction Power System re-energized and stable with test trains running since March 30

• Railroad Intrusion Detection System (RIDS) anomalies continue, but will not impact start

of BART Phase 3 testing

2

VTA’s BART Silicon Valley Program

Phase I: Berryessa Extension – Current Activities

VTA/Contractor Status (cont.)

• Other communications and controls systems in final Phase 2 testing and documentation,

scheduled to be completed by the end of this week

• Outstanding discrepancies are being addressed and will continue until BART starts Phase 3

testing in June.

• RIDS gaps/enhancement and fire telephone will be completed during Phase 3

3

VTA’s BART Silicon Valley Program

Phase I: Berryessa Extension – Current Activities

BART Scope

• BART informally began advance Phase 3 testing in November 2018 and will officially start

Phase 3 testing in June after migration of the Project Test Center (PTC) to Operations

Control Center (OCC) is complete

o BART received new OCC system controls equipment, VTA will support as required

o VTA will continue supporting BART as well as complete outstanding work from

Phase 2 throughout Phase 3 testing period

• Current Master schedule including BART scope supports revenue operations in December

2019

4

VTA’s BART Silicon Valley Program

Phase I: Berryessa Extension – Current Activities

Critical work remaining after June start of BART Phase 3:

• Engineering, installation and testing on enhanced RIDS system

• Completion of additional RIDS sensors in “gap” areas

• Resolution of fire telephone system interface with OCC

• Completion of Operations and Maintenance (O&M) manuals as well as associated training

programs for BART operations

• BART Pre Revenue Operations (3 months)

• Preparation of documentation for California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) submittals

5

Berryessa Extension Project Schedule2018

Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

2019

January February March April May June July August September October November December

October November December

PHASE 2 SYSTEM INTEGRATION TESTING

VTA Scope

BART Scope

Legend

| - - Oct. - - |- - Nov. - -|- - Dec. -|

FIELD FUNCTIONAL TESTING

PHASE 1 SYSTEM INTEGRATION TESTING(Including UON replacements)

Report: April 2019

(UON Replacements Complete) ✓ Turnover to BART in June for Start of BART6 month-Phase III Testing and Pre Revenue

Operations window

OCC

Train Control Series 24 Retest Complete

PHASE 3 SYSTEM INTEGRATION TESTING

PRE-REVENUEOPERATIONS

Forecast Passenger Service Date

✓

PTC toOCC

Traction Power Re Energized

Deadline for Dec 31 Revenue Operations

Submit final System Certification Package to CPUC

6

Questions?

7

Date: April 30, 2019

TO: General Manager/CEO Nuria Fernanadez

FROM: Chair O’Neill and Director Liccardo

SUBJECT: Light Rail Options

Recommendation:

Direct the General Manager to:

1. Following the Board discussion at the February workshop, move forward with a

comprehensive study to analyze alternative technologies for the future of our 42-mile

light rail system, and return to the Board through relevant committees with some

preliminary options before the end of the calendar year.

2. If funds are needed for such a study, identify the funding need through the current budget

process, so that the Board may consider approval as part of the current budgetary process.

3. Concurrently assess the likely cost of future light rail car capital replacement both near-

and long-term, so that the Board can fully understand the scope, timing and impact of this

upcoming decision point.

Discussion:

As discussed in our February Future of Transportation study session, transit agencies

globally are rapidly exploring technological alternatives to standard—and very expensive—rail

systems. After nearly $1.5 billion in investment in the VTA’s light rail — and facing the end of

the useful life of many of our 30-year-old rail cars—we need to ask ourselves whether we should

continue investing in a system that has declining ridership, very high costs per rider, constrained

flexibility, and among the very lowest fare box returns of any urban system in the United States.

With advanced age of our rail cars, we face major capital decisions in the next few years,

and we should make our decision on a technology before we order hundreds of millions of

dollars in new light rail vehicles that simply replace the current technology with more of the

same. We should be looking at a range of new potentially advantageous technologies, including

rail vehicles that don’t require catenary lines, and “rubber tire” alternatives that could deliver

more flexibility, high service levels, and less cost. For that reason, we urge staff to move

forward, and to return to the full Board with at least preliminary options, including relative

advantages, tradeoffs and overall costs, for us to consider before the end of the year.

VTA needs to ensure that all our future capital investments will best serve the need to provide an

integrated, comprehensive transportation system for all the residents of Santa Clara County. The

information gained from this effort will help inform the Board’s decision on how to meet our

commitments to all communities in Santa Clara County most effectively, rather than merely

repeating what we have done before.

From: VTA Board Secretary <Board.Secretary@vta.org> Sent: Thursday, May 2, 2019 3:35 PM To: VTA Board of Directors <VTABoardofDirectors@vta.org> Subject: VTA Information: Ridership Memo for March 2019 Importance: High

VTA Board of Directors:

Attached is a memorandum from Chief Operating Officer Inez Evans regarding VTA ridership

for March 2019.

Thank you.

Office of the Board Secretary

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority

3331 N. First Street

San Jose, CA 95134

408.321.5680

board.secretary@vta.org

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Santa Clara Valley Transportation

Authority

Writer's Direct Telephone: (408) 321-7005

TO: VTA Board of Directors

THROUGH: Nuria I. Fernandez ~111M General Manager/CEO l/(1:3

FROM: Inez Evans ~ ~~ Chief Operating Officer ~ ~ (A)""

DATE: May 2, 2019

SUBJECT: VT A Ridership for March 2019

March 2019 total monthly system ridership for bus and light rail was 2,997,742, a decrease of 2.1% over March 2018. March 2019 had one less weekday than March 2018.

Bus ridership was down 2.4%. Light Rail ridership was down 1.0%. The average weekday ridership for the system was up by 1.0%. The core routes recorded an overall average weekday ridership improvement of 0. 7% over March 2018. Local routes recorded an average weekday increase of 5.7%. March 2019 total monthly ridership recorded a 16.1% increase compared to February 2019. Ridership change from March to February typically averages +13.0%.

Special events: There was one soccer game at the Levi's Stadium (Mexico National team versus Paraguay) that recorded 7,306 riders who rode VTA to the event. There was one soccer game in March 2018 that recorded 8,430 riders that took VTA to the event.

Mar-2019 Mar-2018 Percent Feb-2019

Percent Ridership Change Change Bus 2,298,811 2,356,001 -2.4% 1,990,460 15.5% Light Rail 698,931 705,892 -1.0% 614,387 13.8% System 2,997,742 3,061,893 -2.1% 2,604,847 16.1%

Forty-eight of the 69 bus routes, or 70%, did not meet the weekday standards as defined in the Service Design Guidelines. Nine of the 18 core routes, or 50%, met the weekday standards as defined in the Service Design Guidelines.

3331 North First Street Administration 408 -3 21- 5555 San Jose, CA 95134-1927 Customer Service 408 -321-2300 Solutions that move you

The core routes and light rail stations that had the most average weekday ridership declines are shown in the tables below:

Route Mar-2019 Mar-2018 Difference Percent Change

22 9,437 10,037 (600) -6.0% 66 5,287 5,396 (109) -2.0% 71 1,726 1,783 (57) -3.2% 23 6,519 6,568 (49) -0.7% 70 4,165 4,210 (45) -1.1% Totals 27,134 27,994 (860) -3.1%

Station Mar-2019 Mar-2018 Difference Percent Change

Mountain View Station 233 412 (365) -34.2% Diridon Station 1,047 1,216 (249) -36.8% Winchester Station 267 311 (214) -27.3% Bascom Station 165 189 (125) -35.9% Middlefield Station 434 457 (120) -49.0% Totals 2,146 2,585 (1,073) -34.4%

The fiscal year-to-date total system ridership for bus and light rail recorded a 2.7%

decrease. Light Rail recorded an increase of 0.4% this Fiscal Year.

Ridership (Current) (Prior) Percent Jul' 18-Mar'19 Jul' 17-Mar' 18 Change

Bus 20,306,096 21,077,635 -3.7% Light Rail 6,358,883 6,335,752 0.4% System 26,664,979 27,413,387 -2.7%

From: VTA Board Secretary <Board.Secretary@vta.org> Sent: Friday, May 3, 2019 4:34 PM To: VTA Board of Directors <VTABoardofDirectors@vta.org> Subject: VTA Information: Updated May 2, 2019 Board of Directors Agenda Packet

VTA Board of Directors: The May 2, 2019 Board Regular Agenda Packet has now been updated to include presentations exhibited and public/reading folder materials distributed at the meeting for the following agenda items:

Agenda Item #4 – Public Comments

Agenda Item #6.2 – Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) Meeting Summary

Agenda Item #8.2 – 2019 New Transit Service Plan = Staff presentation and public

comments

Agenda Item #8.3 – Future of Transportation Workshop – Next Steps = Staff presentation

Agenda Item #9.1 – General Manager’s Report

Agenda Item #9.1.A – Government Affairs Update

Agenda Item #9.1.B – Silicon Valley Rapid Transit (SVRT) Program Update = Staff

presentation

Agenda Item #9.3 – Items of Concern or Referral to Administration

Agenda Item #9.4.D – Caltrain JPB Meeting Summary

You may access the updated agenda packet on our website here. (Please note that you may need to refresh your browser to view the updated content.)

Thank you. Office of the Board Secretary Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority 3331 North First Street, Building B San Jose, CA 95134-1927 Phone 408-321-5680

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5/2/2019 -5:38 PM

I am unable to attend tonight's meeting due to previous commitments, but as an elected official representing thousands of East San Jose residents, I wanted to send the message below. Please forward to the Board of Directors. Also, please confirm receipt of this message at . Thank you. My name is Ernesto Bejarano and I am a Governing Member of the Alum Rock Union School District Board of Trustees, encompassing most of what is commonly known as East San Jose. As a life long East Side resident and advocate, and a representative of thousands of hard working families on our side of town, it is incomprehensible to think that this body is considering allocating resources in a way that supports the continued intentional isolation and disenfranchisement of our community. I have heard from many constituents, and access to reliable transportation is vital in our area, potentially more so than anywhere else in the region. Our families rely on public transportation to get to medical appointments, employment, school, and recreation. In addition, our families support and are an integral part of most of the industries that make Silicon Valley prosperous, as employees who depend on the VTA light rail and bus system to get to work and back home to their children and families. I implore you to carefully consider your commitment to VTA lightrail to BART in East San José, as the repercussions of diverting resources elsewhere will have countless negative impacts valley-wide. Thank you.

From: VTA Board Secretary <Board.Secretary@vta.org> Sent: Friday, May 3, 2019 6:16 PM To: VTA Board of Directors <VTABoardofDirectors@vta.org> Subject: RE: VTA Correspondence: Letters of Support for Capitol Expressway Light Rail Extension; Comments on Caltrain Business Plan

VTA Board of Directors:

We are forwarding you the following:

Thank you.

Office of the Board Secretary

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority

3331 N. First Street

San Jose, CA 95134

408.321.5680

board.secretary@vta.org

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From Topic

Assemblymembers Kansen Chu and Ash

Kalra, County Supervisor Susan Ellenberger,

and Members of the Public

Letters of Support for Capitol Expressway

Light Rail Extension – Alum Rock Light Rail

Station to Eastridge Transit Center

City of Morgan Hill Comments Regarding Caltrain Business Plan

April 26, 2019

Chairperson Teresa O’Neill

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority

3331 N. First Street

San Jose, CA 95134

Re: Capitol Expressway Light Rail Extension – Alum Rock Light Rail Station to Eastridge

Transit Center

Dear Chairperson O’Neill:

As one of the largest and most populous cities in California, public transportation is an important

aspect in the city of San Jose. Many people depend and use public transportation daily in order to

get around for commuting and recreational purposes. Therefore, completing the Capitol

Expressway light rail extension (or Extension), which will connect the Alum Rock Light Rail

Station to the Eastridge Transit Center, is highly essential.

Over the years, various funding, such as the 2000 Measure A, has been allocated towards the

Extension. Most recently, I personally advocated for a portion of the revenue from Regional

Measure 3 and Senate Bill 1 to be dedicated to completing the Extension. I applaud the already

established bus rapid transit (BRT) system that connects the Alum Rock Station to the Eastridge

Transit Center. Now, it is time to complete the light rail extension, which has been planned for

many years.

Completing the Extension will provide significant benefits, especially for residents in East San

Jose. This will greatly increase mobility in the area by connecting residents to the larger public

transportation system in the region. When I was on the San Jose City Council, I advocated for a

covered pedestrian bridge to connect the light rail station and BART station in Milpitas. The

bridge improved safety and access to transit in the area. Furthermore, there have been many

discussions about closing the nearby Reid-Hillview Airport and building affordable housing in

its place. I also support for this space to be use for affordable housing. With the possibility of

more housing in the area, the light rail extension will be a crucial system that will improve the

livelihoods of the community residents.

There are growing concerns that the money allocated to this Extension will be diverted to other

projects. This will greatly delay the Extension and decrease access to public transportation for

those who live in East San Jose. The Extension will connect community members to their

schools, workplace, and the greater region. It will also break down transportation barriers that

could limit housing options, especially for those that rely on public transportation. Therefore, I

strongly urge the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority to prioritize funding for and to

complete the Capitol Expressway light rail extension.

Sincerely,

KANSEN CHU

Assemblymember, Assembly District 25

CC: Board of Director Members, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority

Board Secretary, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority

Jim Lawson, Director of Government Relations, Santa Clara Valley Transportation

Authority

May 2, 2019

Chairperson Teresa O’Neill

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority

3331 North First Street

San José, CA 95134

RE: Capitol Expressway Light Rail Extension – Alum Rock Light Rail Station to Eastridge

Transit Center

Dear Chairperson O’Neill,

As the State Assemblymember representing nearly half of San José, and as the former Chair of

VTA, I am respectfully requesting the Board to prioritize the Capitol Expressway light rail

extension from the Alum Rock Station to the Eastridge Transit Center. San José is the third

largest city in California and as we lead by example in our public transportation innovation and

strategy, it is important that we as elected officials stay true to representing the needs of our

communities.

Over the years, funding has been allocated towards this extension, which will greatly benefit our

East San José residents, whom I represent. With the recent concerns regarding the diversion of

these funds, we must remember our commitment to serving our community. Often times, when

planning public transportation needs, we talk about connecting the “last mile”. But for many of

our residents in East San José, it’s not about the “last mile”. It’s about the “first mile”: the first

mile to get from home to school, to work, to childcare, to the doctor. If we do not build this

extension, we will create a barrier and isolate many members of our community.

I hope that the VTA board will consider prioritizing the Capitol Expressway light rail extension

from the Alum Rock Station to the Eastridge Transit Center to help our residents with their “first

mile” to improve their access and livelihood in San José.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

ASH KALRA

From: Brenda Franca-Serpa Sent: Thursday, April 25, 2019 5:38 PM To: VTA Board Secretary <Board.Secretary@vta.org>; Sam Liccardo <sam@samliccardo.com>; raul.peralez@sanjoseca.gov; chappie.jones@sanjoseca.gov; lan.diep@sanjoseca.gov; magdalena.carrasco@sanjoseca.gov; cindy.chavez@bos.sccgov.org; larry.carr@morganhill.ca.gov; rtran@ci.milpitas.ca.gov; john.mcalister@mountainview.gov; toneill@santaclaraca.gov; rrennie@losgatosca.gov Cc: dave.cortese@bos.sccgov.org; matthew.savage@sanjoseca.gov; district8@sanjoseca.gov; Juan Hernandez <juanhernandez1993.jhh@gmail.com> Subject: Updated: Eastridge to BART Regional Connector/Capitol Expressway Light Rail Project

Dear VTA Board Members,

The 2000 Measure A bond, a half-cent transit sales tax promoted by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Board of Directors, passed by a 70.3 percent vote on November 7, 2000.

My husband and I live in District 8 and voted for Measure A. My husband worked in Milpitas and looked forward to taking the light rail from Eastridge to work and back. There are many District 8 residents working in Milpitas and up the peninsula who would utilize the Eastridge to BART Regional Connector/Capitol Expressway Light Rail.

From 2006 to present, we paid the half-cent sales tax and patiently waited for construction of the Eastridge to BART Regional Connector to commence. Light rail never came to Eastridge because VTA did not do its job of providing it per Measure A.

Here is what the Community of East San José/District 8 wants out of the VTA:

• VTA board of directors, stop delaying the Eastridge to BART Regional Connector/Capitol Expressway Light Rail Project by prioritizing projects in your area over a nineteen-year-old promise made to voters of 2000 Measure A. District 8 residents pay VTA taxes and demand that you fulfill your promise of completing the Eastridge to BART Regional Connector.

o The Eastridge to BART Regional Connector was the second priority

and a commitment the VTA board keeps voting down the priority list and this is not what was mandated in Measure A. I do not know the legality of asking the electorate to vote for a tax based on promises not kept, but as a voter, unless the Eastridge to BART Regional Connector is completed, I will never vote for another VTA tax again and will rally my District 8 community to vote in kind as well.

• Complete the Eastridge to BART Regional Connector because one hundred thousand District 8 residents have been paying VTA taxes for nearly a decade and expected the project to be completed more than a decade ago.

• Complete the Eastridge to BART Regional Connector because the bus hub at Eastridge Shopping Center is the most widely used in San José and the light rail will convey more people from D8 to their jobs, appointments, errands, etc., will be well-

utilized, will reduce traffic congestion, and air pollution from automobiles. Note, not everyone in District 8 owns an automobile, but they pay the VTA tax and would utilize the Eastridge to BART Regional Connector, so it is a question of equity and fairness that the project be completed as promised nearly twenty years ago.

• Do not delay the completion of the Eastridge to BART Regional Connector by stonewalling the VTA taxpaying residents of District 8 any longer. The 2008 recession reduced the sales taxes collected for the light rail/BART projects and we do not want the Eastridge to BART Regional Connector /Capitol Expressway Light Rail Project delayed because of another recession.

• Do not delay the completion of the Eastridge to BART Regional Connector by studying alternatives to the light rail system that should connect with BART. We traveled to Europe and stayed for two months and utilized their excellent rail system. Unless VTA brings BART to Eastridge, light rail is the next most economical, logical, and studied option.

• Fulfill the promise you made to District 8 residents in November 2000 when residents voted for Measure A bond. Two-thirds of the funding to complete the Eastridge to BART Regional Connector come from Measure A bond funds which are ready to be put to work completing this project and one-third of the funds comes from Regional Measure 3—so the funds to complete this project exists.

• East San José residents lack representation on the VTA Board, which is weighted in favor of cities to the north, south, west and obviously San José districts other than District 8. The VTA board should be comprised of members from all districts of San José because that is the only way East San José will get equitable treatment. Two VTA board members actively support the Eastridge to BART Regional Connector: SCC Supervisor Cindy Chavez and SJC Councilmember Magdalena Carrasco. The only explanation that accounts for delaying the completion of the Eastridge to BART Regional Connector is there are VTA board members who are against it, preferring to push it to the bottom of the priority list because doing so benefits the areas they represent.

District 8 residents do not want VTA to stonewall this much needed Eastridge to BART Regional Connector any longer by studying the project or asking for residents’ input. Let this be the end of the discussion and the end of studying the matter—VTA Board Members, do what Measure A mandates and complete the Eastridge to BART rail connector.

Best regards,

Brenda Serpa

District 8 resident

From: Marilyn Langley Sent: Tuesday, April 30, 2019 2:33 PM To: VTA Board Secretary <Board.Secretary@vta.org> Cc: matthew.savage@sanjoseca.gov; District8 <district8@sanjoseca.gov>; Rodriguez, Monica <Monica.Rodriguez@sanjoseca.gov>; Le, Nancy <Nancy.Le@sanjoseca.gov> Subject: Comment in support of the Eastridge to BART regional connector Dear Members of the VTA Board of Directors: I’m delighted to have learned about the Eastridge to BART connector from a recent post on Nextdoor. I live in District 8, and have been commuting by bus and light rail from Eastridge to Cisco Way nearly every day since January. The proposed extension of the light rail to Eastridge will provide valuable connectivity from Evergreen to BART, and will also make the light rail much more accessible and appealing. It could noticeably reduce congestion in the South and East Bay. The current terminus of the light rail in Alum Rock is pretty hard to reach by car. Parking is not plentiful, and Capitol Expressway is very highly congested due to the daily backup between the 680 interchange and Ocala Avenue. The timing of the bus/light rail connection can add more than 20 minutes to the trip. But once on the light rail, the trip is very efficient. This connection will save me a few hours a week, time which I would much rather spend with my family, or benefitting one of San Jose’s largest employers. Without the bus segment, I am sure many more of my neighbors will join me on the train. I can’t make it to Thursday’s VTA Board meeting, but I wanted to write in enthusiastic support of this extension. I sincerely hope you will grant the remaining approvals required to proceed on schedule. Best regards, Marilyn Langley San Jose District 8 resident and Cisco employee

From: Chavez, Lorena Sent: Thursday, May 02, 2019 12:19 PM To: Torres, Omar <Omar.Torres@sanjoseca.gov>; 'lavilla9@gmail.com' Subject: RE: Correspondence 5/2/19 To whom it may concern, My name is Lorena Chavez, and I was born and raised in East San Jose. We have waited too long for the light rail expansion to the East Side. With the current traffic conditions, our public transportation system is not ideal for many working-class families who have children in schools, access to and from our job/schools is not suitable with our current public transportation system. I urge you to support our East San Jose community and expand the light rail to our underserved population. We need this transportation project as it is already fully funded and it is an injustice to our community if we cannot get our much deserved Eastridge extension. In partnership, Lorena Chavez

From: Rodriguez, Monica Sent: Thursday, May 02, 2019 2:59 PM To: VTA Board Secretary <Board.Secretary@vta.org> Cc: Savage, Matthew <matthew.savage@sanjoseca.gov> Subject: Letters for Public Comment - 5.4.19 Hello, Please find attached a collection of letters in support of the Eastridge to BART Light Rail project for today’s public comment. Many thanks, Monica

Monica Rodriguez

Council Assistant

City of San Jose | Office of Councilwoman Sylvia Arenas – District 8

O: 408.535.4968 | E: Monica.Rodriguez@sanjoseca.gov

200 East Santa Clara Street – 18th Floor, San Jose, CA 95113

From: Ernesto Bejarano <ernesto.bejarano@arusd.org> Sent: Thursday, May 02, 2019 5:49 PM To: VTA Board Secretary <Board.Secretary@vta.org> Subject: Special Meeting re: VTA to East San Jose I am unable to attend tonight's meeting due to previous commitments, but as an elected official representing thousands of East San Jose residents, I wanted to send the message below. Please forward to the Board of Directors. Also, please confirm receipt of this message at ernesto.bejarano@arusd.org Thank you. My name is Ernesto Bejarano and I am a Governing Member of the Alum Rock Union School District Board of Trustees, encompassing most of what is commonly known as East San Jose. As a life long East Side resident and advocate, and a representative of thousands of hard working families on our side of town, it is incomprehensible to think that this body is considering allocating resources in a way that supports the continued intentional isolation and disenfranchisement of our community. I have heard from many constituents, and access to reliable transportation is vital in our area, potentially more so than anywhere else in the region. Our families rely on public transportation to get to medical appointments, employment, school, and recreation. In addition, our families support and are an integral part of most of the industries that make Silicon Valley prosperous, as employees who depend on the VTA light rail and bus system to get to work and back home to their children and families. I implore you to carefully consider your commitment to VTA lightrail to BART in East San José, as the repercussions of diverting resources elsewhere will have countless negative impacts valley-wide.

Thank you.

From: Camille Fontanilla Sent: Thursday, May 2, 2019 6:13:53 PM To: Torres, Omar Subject: VTA Sorry these are so late...we’ve been slammed... Here is one so far Dear VTA Board of Directors, I am a lifelong resident of East San Jose. I grew up riding public transportation with my family to trips, doctor’s appointments, work and school. Now, as an adult mother, I still see and know the necessity of having public transportation as a necessity for our community. Please do not negate our families’ needed and the opportunity of transportation that is need for living and thriving economically in an already struggling city. -Dilza

From: Camille Fontanilla Sent: Thursday, May 2, 2019 6:18:35 PM To: Torres, Omar Subject: VTA Camille Llanes-Fontanilla, MPA Executive Director SOMOS Mayfair www.somosmayfair.org

Dear VTA Board, Buses are democracies in action! There are few spaces remaining where people of all backgrounds share space as one. However over the years our transit system has increasingly become 2 tiered—the average income of a cal train is 70K compared that to a bus at $25k. The mayors decision to disinvest in the east side is classist, racist and anti-immigrant. He wants to take the funds that the people voted for. These funds are intended to increase transit services to a community that is majority working class people of color. Today we are rethinking cities where transit system is becoming critical to building sustainable communities yet intentional decisions are being made about who gets to thrive in this city. A thriving

bus system is one while all of us are able to build connections across the corners of our city regardless of class, gender, religion, sexual orientation, race, etc. Shame on the Mayor for taking away what belongs to the people. -Diana

From: Camille Fontanilla Sent: Thursday, May 2, 2019 6:41:36 PM To: Torres, Omar Subject: Letter to VTA Dear VTA Board, My name is Camille Llanes-Fontanilla and I am both a resident of east San Jose and the Executive Director of SOMOS Mayfair. As a lifelong resident of east San Jose, I have and continue to experience the challenges related to having limited public transportation access, infrastructure and frequency needed to make public transportation a viable option for me and my family. I have a desire to use public transportation, as it aligns with my personal values of equity, environmental stewardship and connecting with others in community. However, for professional reasons, I need an affordable and efficient mode of transportation that can get me to multiple points throughout San Jose and the Valley. And while public transportation is a preferred option for me; for many of my neighbors, it is the ONLY source of transportation, relied upon for educational and economic opportunities, as well as critical services and needs. This is why I continue to vote YES on ballot measures related to increasing transportation investments in east San Jose. I have payed these taxes in hopes that my family and my broader community can benefit from it. But once again, policy makers are considering further eroding trust with our east San Jose community. This is unacceptable and unconscionable. Please keep your commitments to our community and invest in public transportation in east San Jose. Camille Llanes-Fontanilla, MPA Executive Director SOMOS Mayfair https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=www.somosmayfair.org&amp;data=02%7C01%7COmar.Torres%40sanjoseca.gov%7C07341e76ed9245f8efa508d6cf687cbf%7C0fe33be061424f969b8d7817d5c26139%7C0%7C1%7C636924445011693936&amp;sdata=IyI5OkM71bH9wlXFinqSEXuwWEDgSDCyr1%2FCHODBErc%3D&amp;reserved=0

From: Karie Fraley Sent: Thursday, May 2, 2019 4:44:27 PM To: Torres, Omar Subject: Please save lightrail Hello, I am a 31 year old woman who works in tech in Palo Alto and am moving to the east side of San Jose, so that I can utilize the 103 bus line to get to work. The company I work for provides us with a free VTA eco pass. I love being able to use my bike/public transit to get around in San Jose. Being trapped in a car is horrible and it's bad for the environment. I like using the lightrail when it's too hot to ride my bike long distances. I really hope you decide to keep the lightrail. Thank you, Karie Fraley

17575 Peak Avenue

Morgan Hill, CA 95037-4128

TEL: (408) 779-7271

FAX: (408) 779-3117

www.morganhill.ca.gov

April 8, 2019

The Peninsula Corridor Joint Power Board

12509 San Carlos Ave.

San Carlos, CA 94070

RE: Caltrain Business Plan

Dear Caltrain Board:

On behalf of the Morgan Hill City Council, I would like to thank the Caltrain Board for engaging Morgan Hill

and the rest of the communities in South Silicon Valley on the Caltrain 2040 Business Plan efforts. I want to

take this opportunity to acknowledge Sebastian Petty and Casey Fromson for their diligent efforts on the

outreach and communications. Your staff has been very helpful and attentive. We appreciate their partnership

and their good work.

The purpose of our letter is to share some comments on the Caltrain 2040 Business Plan and request a

response on how these issues listed herein can be incorporated into the final 2040 Business Plan. We have

also included some comments/questions regarding existing and near future train service we hope you can

respond to.

1. LEVEL OF SERVICE

Under the current Moderate and High Growth Scenarios listed in the Draft Business Plan, Morgan

Hill would get two trains per hour during weekday peak times and one train per hour during non-peak

and weekends. We are pleased to see increased service under these two scenarios. As indicated in

your most recent update, the number of available Caltrain riders in our community is much larger

than the number of riders currently using the Morgan Hill Caltrain Station. We believe many of our

residents are traveling to a station in San Jose due to the limited train service in Morgan Hill.

We must work to provide adequate service to Morgan Hill and surrounding communities. As you well

know, communities south of San Jose are growing at faster rates than other communities, providing

housing for the growing Bay Area workforce. Morgan Hill has been growing at a steady rate of

approximately 2%. Gilroy is the fastest growing City in Santa Clara County and many people are

commuting to communities south of Gilroy due to the high costs of housing.

Highway 101 no longer seems to be a viable commuting option as it is severely congested. Local

streets like Monterey Road and Hale Avenue are bearing the brunt of this congestion and have

become regional transportation corridors (without regional funding to manage the wear and tear).

We recognize that in order to move people efficiently we need a public transit system that offers

consistent service. We recommend 2 trains per hour during peak time and one train during non-

peak times be identified as the minimum level of service acceptable for South County.

We request that this increased level of service be implemented as soon as feasible. Morgan Hill’s

train ridership has gone up 70% since 2011 and we believe that the demand will grow as the Diridon

station grows with the expansion of Google and Adobe. We are also increasing jobs in Morgan Hill.

Currently, we have 6.2 million square feet of industrial space and another 2 million of job square feet

in the pipeline. Our Downtown is quickly transforming into the transit-oriented development center

envisioned in our Specific Plan. We have over a dozen projects that range from luxury market rate

apartments to a boutique hotel. The parking lot at the Caltrain Station is filled with train riders as well

as corporate shuttle bus riders. Morgan Hill needs increased train service now.

2. ELECTRIFICATION

The service level assumptions stated in the Draft Caltrain Business Plan are based on the

electrification of the entire system. The electrification of the South County corridor is currently

envisioned through a blended system with High-Speed Rail. The assumption is that High-Speed Rail

will secure usage or ownership of the tracks from Union Pacific Rail Road (UPRR), electrify the

right-of-way and share the electrified track system with Caltrain. It is our recommendation that the

Caltrain Business Plan should acknowledge the efforts, goals and aspirations of High-Speed Rail.

However, the Caltrain Business Plan should stand on its own and plan for the electrification of the

tracks independent from High-Speed Rail’s efforts. We recommend that the Caltrain Business

Plan include a plan for electrification of the South County corridor independent of High-Speed

Rail’s plans for electrification.

It is important to clarify that the most paramount issue for Morgan Hill is increased service. While we

believe electrification of the system is important for the long-term viability of Caltrain, Morgan Hill

needs and wants additional service today, regardless of the form (diesel locomotive or electrified

train). We support electrification but not at the expense of delaying added service to South

County.

3. MORGAN HILL TRAIN STATION

The electrification of the tracks will require improvements to the Morgan Hill station. These

improvements include adding a second platform and replacing the at grade crossing with an

underground crossing. The City of Morgan Hill requests the immediate attention of Caltrain, High-

Speed Rail and VTA to engage on the planning of the Caltrain Station so that the City can best plan

for the future Transit Station and adjacent sites (sites that would be impacted by these improvements).

Regardless of what agency (High-Speed Rail or Caltrain) cause the improvements to the Station, we

all benefit by collaborative developing design solutions for the station. This work cannot wait.

Therefore, we request that Caltrain lead the effort in the design of the new Station and bring

together the agencies that need to be part of the discussion and planning.

It is important to note that the Caltrain Station offers over 400 parking spaces of which approximately

half are used by corporate buses that are a big part of the transportation eco-system in Morgan Hill.

4. SERVICE ENHANCEMENTS

Residents in South County were promised a fourth train under Measure B approved in 2016.

Unfortunately, this fourth train cannot be operational until the locomotive rehab work is done. It is

our understanding that the fourth train will be running by 2021. We are anxious to have this train

operational. Please confirm the date by which the fourth train is expected to be available. Also,

please let us know when we can expect information about the proposed schedule (timeslot) for this

fourth train.

Finally, the existing third train is to be rescheduled to an earlier timeslot to increase ridership. Please

confirm expected date of when this schedule will take place and what is the new timeslot

recommended for this third train.

5. HIGH-SPEED RAIL & GRADE SEPARATIONS

High-Speed Rail is scheduled to announce their preferred alignment and issue the project EIR report

by the end of 2019. High-Speed Rail’s EIR will environmentally clear a certain amount of train

capacity for high speed trains along the corridor. We want Caltrain’s projected service (as

envisioned in the Draft Caltrain Business Plan 2040) be accounted for in High-Speed Rail’s

Draft EIR.

We do not know when (if ever) High-Speed Rail will be constructed and operated. In the interim, we

want Caltrain to be able to use the environmental capacity cleared by High-Speed Rail.

Finally, the projected level of train service added to South County between Caltrain and High-Speed

Rail warrant a conversation about pedestrian and vehicular safety. Tennant Avenue and Dunne

Avenue in Morgan Hill have some of the highest Average Daily Trip (ADT) crossings in the entire

Bay Area. We request that High-Speed Rail, VTA and Caltrain join us on a productive

conversation about the need (if any) of grade crossings in Morgan Hill.

Morgan Hill and surrounding communities are growing fast without the support of much needed public

transportation services. We are supportive of Caltrain’s efforts to plan for a service that meets the needs of all

customers and communities alike. We believe public transit is one of the ways we can be just and equitable.

South County is long overdue to receive adequate, fair and just service. We urge you to move forward with

your business plan and consider us your friend, advocate and ally as you move forward with these efforts. We

thank you for allowing us an opportunity to comment of the Draft Business Plan.

We hope you find this information useful. Please feel free to contact me or Edith Ramirez, Economic

Development Director at edith.ramirez@morganhill.ca.gov with any questions or clarifications for the above.

Sincerely,

Rich Constantine

Morgan Hill Mayor

Cc: Morgan Hill City Council, CityCouncil@morganhill.ca.gov

Valley Transportation Agency Board of Directors, board.secretary@vta.org

California High-Speed Rail Authority Board Members, boardmembers@hsr.ca.gov

Gilroy City Council, AllCouncilMembers@ci.gilroy.ca.us

California Department of Transportation, Laurie Berman, Director, Caltrans_Director@dot.ca.gov

California State Transportation Agency, Brian C. Annis, Secretary, Brian.Annis@calsta.ca.gov

California State Transportation Agency, Chad Edison, Deputy Secretary, Chad.Edison@calsta.ca.gov

From: VTA Board Secretary <Board.Secretary@vta.org> Sent: Monday, May 6, 2019 4:43 PM To: VTA Board of Directors <VTABoardofDirectors@vta.org>; VTA Advisory Committee Members <VTAAdvisoryCommitteeMembers@vta.org> Subject: From VTA: Community Meeting on Blossom Hill Station Joint and Transit-Oriented Development, May 15, 7 p.m. at Del Robles Elementary School, San Jose

VTA Board of Directors and VTA Advisory Committees:

Attached for your information is a community meeting notice on the Blossom Hill Station Joint

and Transit-Oriented Development . The meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 15, 2019,

7:00 p.m. at the Del Robles Elementary School, Multi-Purpose Room, 5345 Avenida

Almendros, San Jose.

Thank you.

Office of the Board Secretary

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority

3331 N. First Street

San Jose, CA 95134

408.321.5680

board.secretary@vta.org

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