VTA light rail

VTA light rail
A VTA light rail train at Winchester station in February 2019
A VTA light rail train at Winchester station in February 2019
Overview
LocaleSanta Clara County, California
Transit typeLight rail
Number of lines3
Number of stations60[1]
Daily ridership15,600 (weekdays, Q3 2024)[2]
Annual ridership4,464,500 (2023)[3]
Websitevta.org
Operation
Began operationDecember 11, 1987; 36 years ago (1987-12-11)[1]
Operator(s)Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
Number of vehicles100 Kinki Sharyo low-floor light rail vehicles[1]
Train length90 ft (27 m) (1 LRV)
180 ft (55 m) (2 LRVs)[4]
Technical
System length42.2 mi (67.9 km)[1]
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge[4]
ElectrificationOverhead line, 750 V DC[4]
Top speed55 mph (89 km/h)[1]
System map
Map
Legend
Caltrain Orange Line (VTA) Mountain View
California 85.svg SR 85
(closed
2015)
 Evelyn
Whisman
Middlefield
US 101 (1961 cutout).svg US 101
Bayshore/NASA
Moffett Park
Lockheed Martin
Borregas
Crossman
California 237.svg SR 237
Fair Oaks
Vienna
Reamwood
Green Line (VTA)
Old Ironsides
Great America
AmtrakAltamont Corridor Express Lick Mill
Champion
Baypointe Blue Line (VTA)
Tasman
Cisco Way
River Oaks
Alder
Orchard
I-880 (1961).svg I-880
Bonaventura
Great Mall/Main
Component
Milpitas enlarge… Bay Area Rapid Transit
Karina
Cropley
San Jose International Airport (via List of VTA bus routes#60) Metro/Airport
Hostetter
Gish
Berryessa
Guadalupe Division
Penitencia Creek
Civic Center
McKee
Japantown/Ayer
Alum Rock Orange Line (VTA)
Story
(2029)
 Eastridge
(2029)
Saint James
Santa Clara
Paseo de San Antonio
Convention Center
Children's
Discovery Museum
San Fernando
Virginia
Tamien Caltrain
Altamont Corridor ExpressAmtrakCaltrain enlarge…
San Jose
Diridon
Curtner
(planned)
West San Carlos
Capitol
Race
Branham
Fruitdale
Ohlone/
Chynoweth
Bascom
Oakridge
(closed
2019)
Hamilton
Almaden
(closed
2019)
Downtown Campbell
Blossom Hill
Green Line (VTA) Winchester
Snell
Cottle
Santa Teresa Blue Line (VTA)
Key
Blue Line
Former Almaden Shuttle
Green Line
Multiple services
Orange Line
Handicapped/disabled access All stations are accessible
This diagram:

The VTA light rail system serves San Jose and nearby cities in Santa Clara County, California. It is operated by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) and has 42.2 miles (67.9 km) of network comprising three main lines on standard gauge tracks. Originally opened on December 11, 1987, the light rail system has expanded since then, and currently has 60 stations in operation.

The light rail system has been criticized for being one of the least used in the United States (an average of 370 boardings per mile on weekdays, Q3 2024) and the most heavily subsidized ($9.30 per passenger trip). VTA leaders have admitted that building light rail was a poor match with adjoining land uses.[citation needed] The system's average weekday daily ridership as of the third quarter of 2024 is 15,600 passengers and saw a total of 4,464,500 trips in 2023.

  1. ^ a b c d e "VTA Facts - Light Rail System Overview" (PDF). Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 20, 2013. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  2. ^ "Transit Ridership Report Third Quarter 2024" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. November 20, 2024. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  3. ^ "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2023" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. March 4, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c "Santa Clara - Valley Transportation Authority - Technical Data" (PDF). Kinkisharyo International, LLC. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 21, 2015. Retrieved March 3, 2013.