VTA seeks public feedback on 2019 draft service plan

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) recently directed staff to begin community engagement on the proposed 2019 transit service plan, which is a revision to a nework plan adopted in 2017.

The 2019 draft plan proposes to maintain light-rail and bus services close to current levels; place a greater emphasis on serving passengers and increasing ridership; and minimize service reductions.

By maintaining service levels, the authority expects to save about $15 million annually compared with the cost to implement the 2017 network plan, VTA officials said in a press release.

The authority plans to hold six community meetings late this month and in early February to gather input on the draft plan. Staff members also will reach out to the community for feedback.

The VTA is facing a $26 million deficit in fiscal-year2019. The agency operates about 156,000 hours of light-rail service and 1.52 million hours of bus service annually. The 2017 plan maintained most bus hours, but increased light-rail hours by 36,000 to accommodate the new Orange Line.

"To focus on ridership, staff has proposed trimming some low-performing bus routes and investing those savings to operate a light-rail network leaner than proposed in the 2017 plan," VTA officials said. "This proposal would keep the new Orange Line, but it would discontinue the Purple Line and end the Blue Line at Baypointe Station."