It has been decades in the making, but the 5.3-mile Vasona Light Rail extension became operational Oct. 1. Hundreds crowded the station to celebrate the occasion.

Campbell Mayor and former Valley Transportation Authority board chairwoman Jane Kennedy told the crowd, "This new line truly links us to the rest of the county. It's an exciting day for Campbell, the West Valley and Santa Clara County."

The Vasona Light Rail extension ends at Winchester Station next to St. Lucy's Church. The light rail can be ridden from Campbell all the way to Mountain View or, with transfers, to the Great Mall in Milpitas or out to Alum Rock. A passenger can also connect to Caltrain at San Jose Diridon Station and continue on to San Francisco. The light rail will run every 15 minutes during rush hour and 30 minutes during off-peak hours.

"The extension needs the opportunity to become part of people's lives," Jayme Kunz, VTA communications manager, said. "It takes time for people's habits to change."

The VTA estimates 8,000 to 9,000 riders on the Vasona line within five years. The extension takes only 16 minutes from the Winchester junction to downtown San Jose.

Most of the extension, 3.55 miles, travels through San Jose District 6 Councilman Ken Yeager's neighborhoods.

Yeager, who served on the Vasona Policy Advisory Board for almost six years, said, "The more miles the VTA covers, the more people will ride it. This provides new transit access for Willow Glen and Campbell residents. I'm optimistic about the ridership."

The new extension links the West Valley to major employment and shopping centers and entertainment venues, he added.

During the construction of the light rail, Yeager worked with residents living in the Borello neighborhood. The community is directly affected by the Hamilton Avenue overpass portion of the project. Many residents wanted the light rail to go underground or at grade level. The residents were so passionate about the issue that they filed a lawsuit with the California Public Utilities Commission. The VTA's request to build the overpass was upheld, but the lawsuit delayed construction for about a year. The project, however, was still completed on time and under budget.

"I don't think the residents' fears were realized," Yeager said. "The VTA plans to put up a screen along the sides of the overpass for additional privacy."

The $315 million project was completed with Measure B funds--the half cent sales tax--federal, state and VTA dollars and $600,000 from the city of Campbell.

There are eight stops along the Vasona Line. Each has a distinctive look designed to complement the individual station. The Hamilton Plaza junction, which is the overpass portion of the line, has a glass elevator for gazing out at the valley. The overpass also incorporated in its cement walls and pillars public art by Denver artist Barb McKee depicting the wildlife found in the Los Gatos Creek.

VTA proponents said that the timing of the new line couldn't be better.

"With a one-way ticket costing $1.75, compared to a gallon of gas, that's one of the best deals in the county," Jim Beall, Santa Clara County District 4 Supervisor, said.

Beall told the crowd that the Vasona line wasn't the beginning of new service but actually the reestablishment of transit service into Campbell and Los Gatos.

"My grandfather use to take the train from Los Gatos to work at Westinghouse in Sunnyvale every day," Beall said.

Whether it's a new line or the reestablishment of an old one, families at the celebration said it was definitely worth trying, especially since the VTA was offering free rides on the extension all day Saturday.

Bette Maniglia said the light rail was going to make things easier during the holidays when her family comes from Sacramento and they all go to Christmas in the Park.

"Getting us all down there is quite a challenge," she said. "Parking is so difficult. Now we can ride the light rail. This will be a lot of fun."

More than just fun, VTA board chairman and Los Gatos councilman Joe Pirzynski said, "This is the crown jewel of capital improvements. I know more great things are on the horizon, so stay tuned."

For Pirzynski that next great thing would be finishing the line. The last phase of the project is the 1.5-mile extension to Vasona Junction next to Highway 85 in Los Gatos. To reach that junction, voters will have to approve a continuation of the half cent sales tax that is set to expire in 2006.

"I believe people will use the light rail for purposes beyond getting to work," he said. " I think it will be used for special events or to go downtown for dining. It will create an interesting linkage between the West Valley and San Jose."