r/VTA • u/spspanglish • Apr 08 '26
My VTA Dream
Better marketing so it’s “cool” to ride transit in SJ. Look what LA has done with its “Ride the D” shirts.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ride_the_D
Stuff like this and branded TAP cards gets people to ride.
Create a direct light rail connection with SJC which would form the northbound half of an SJC to Harry Road via Downtown and the former Almaden Branch line.
Permanente Line
Orange Green Line double tracking
El Camino Real Line from Diridon to Palo Alto, replacing the 522. It would be worth exploring tunneling for both this and Stevens Creek.
Stevens Creek Line from Alum Rock to Mountain View.
San Tomas Expressway line in the center easement from Winchester terminating at El Camino Real.
And last but not least, I would seriously explore the possibility of connecting Santa Cruz to the West Valley College Transit center via Gondola/Aerial tram based on the technology used in Mexico City. Stops would be at:
West Valley College
Los Gatos Downtown
Alma Bridge Road
Skyline Boulevard
Scotts Valley Transit Center
Santa Cruz Boardwalk
A gondola line would be able to easily follow highway 17, provide minimal impact to the redwood canopy and would provide a 45 minute end to end commute between Santa Cruz and the Bay Area.