Willow Glen Resident
News
Transit authority plans to change bus routes, schedules across city
By Stephen Baxter
Most Willow Glen bus routes will most likely be spared as the Valley Transportation Authority shuffles its lines and schedules to become more efficient.
In the VTA's revised service plan released in late July, Route 25 along Willow Street will remain but will end at Alum Rock Transit Center rather than at East Hills Drive and Meadow Lane. VTA officials also plan to add five buses to midday runs and drop a peak-hour bus on the line.
In April, the VTA unveiled a plan to add buses on core routes and trim some less-traveled lines in suburbs such as Almaden. Several community meetings were held, and the VTA board of directors will vote on the plan at its meeting on Aug. 30. If approved, changes will take effect on Jan. 14, 2008.
Some VTA studies had surprising results, indicating that many lines have more riders during midday rather than during morning and evening hours. Buses on Willow Street appear to reflect that trend.
In other areas, such as Almaden Expressway, smaller community buses are likely to replace ordinary buses.
The buses hold about half as many passengers as a standard 40-foot bus and use less fuel. Fares will be dropped on the community bus from $1.75 to $1 for adults, and 50 cents for seniors, youths up to age 17 and the disabled.
According to VTA research, Route 13 had 268 daily boardings compared to roughly 1,500 on the average bus line. The revised plan for Route 13 shows no changes to frequency or routing.
Bernice Alaniz, a spokeswoman for the VTA, said the authority received less input from Almaden residents than from riders in West San Jose and near schools and hospitals.
"We had to balance getting to critical medical services and schools with what we had available," Alaniz said.
Route 63 runs down Meridian Avenue to Via Valiente, passing Leland High School and Bret Harte Middle School. The bus made one pickup in the morning and evening at the schools, and revised plan calls for that bus to be cut. The route would also not go to Via Valiente.
Another key change for Almaden in the revision would be Route 65, which ran from downtown San Jose to Highway 85 along Leigh Avenue. The revised plan calls for a community bus that runs only on weekdays and ends at Blossom Hill Road. Three years ago, the route served Los Alamitos Elementary School, several private schools and some shopping centers.
VTA officials have said its system cannot break even and try to please all its passengers.
The VTA board will meet on Aug. 30 at 5:30 p.m. in the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors' chambers, 70 W. Hedding St. in San Jose.
