The initial segment of the VTA light rail between the Civic Center and Old Ironsides stations began service on December 11, 1987.[3] In 1988 and 1990, the system was extended south of Civic Center to Downtown San Jose and Tamien station.[3] Another 9.7 miles (15.6 km) segment to Santa Teresa and Almaden stations was added to the system in April 1991, completing the entire Guadalupe section.[3][4] In December 1999, the system underwent another extension with the completion of the Tasman West section and began services to Mountain View.[5][6] The system was extended to I-880/Milpitas in 2001 and to Hostetter station in 2004 as part of the Tasman East extension. In the same year, the Capitol extension to Alum Rock station was also finished.[7][8] The latest section, the Vasona extension, was completed in 2005, connecting Campbell to Downtown San Jose.[9]
As of December 2019[update] the system consists of 59 stations. The majority of stations, 39, are located in San Jose. Seven stations are in Sunnyvale and four are in Mountain View. Campbell, Milpitas, and Santa Clara each have three stations.
VTA closed Evelyn station on March 16, 2015, in order to build a second track between Mountain View and Whisman stations.[10]
^"About VTA". vta.org. Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. Archived from the original on February 17, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2008.
^ abcd"Light Rail System"(PDF). vta.org. Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. Archived from the original(PDF) on July 4, 2008. Retrieved November 3, 2008.
^"Capitol Light Rail Project"(PDF). vta.org. Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. Archived from the original(PDF) on July 5, 2008. Retrieved November 3, 2008.
^"Vasona Light Rail Project"(PDF). vta.org. Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. Archived from the original(PDF) on October 6, 2008. Retrieved November 3, 2008.