--- Begin Message ---
- From: "eegenebradley" <http://profiles.yahoo.com/eegenebradley>
- Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2013 20:10:00 -0000
I had inquired on VTA's purchase of additional express buses, how they affect the 180 & 181 between Fremont, Milpitas, and where-I-live, and on their community bus purchases. Response from VTA is first, questions are below. --eugene
========== RESPONSE ===========
Dear Mr. Bradley:
Thank you for your email of January 10, 2013 regarding the Santa Clara
Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Board of Directors meeting for
January 10th. Your questions concern Agenda Item 8.1, which is a
budget augmentation to increase the budgeted amount on two purchases
previously approved by the Board of Directors. Your questions are
listed below with the associated response:
Question: * Will the 20 additional proposed express buses also be
used on VTA's 180 and 181 express bus lines between downtown where-I-live,
Milpitas and Fremont BART station? Currently these bus lines use the
standard 40-foot diesel and hybrid buses which are also used on VTA
local bus lines like the 64.
Response: No. These vehicles will be used on the other express
routes in the system. The 180 and 181 lines are scheduled to be
discontinued with the advent of BART service to Milpitas and
Berryessa.
Question: The $4 one-way express fare to ride local bus equipment
used on these two bus lines makes it inconsistent with the rest of the
current express bus fleet philosophy at VTA.
Response: The fare is charged for the nature of the ride. In this
case, the limited-stop nature of the express service is the reason for
the additional charge.
Question: * As for the 40 diesel-electric low-floor community buses,
there are several questions:
- What will be the expected seating capacity of the new buses VTA is
proposing to purchase?
Response: 23 to 25 depending upon the manufacturer selected.
Question: How does the expected seating capacity for the new
Community Buses compare to the current Community Bus fleet of
Chevrolet-based "cutaway"Community Buses VTA currently uses?
Response: The seating compares favorably. The lack of low floor
entry and the need to deploy the cumbersome wheel chair lift along
with their short service life have rendered the current vehicles
undesirable for our purposes.
Question: Will the public be allowed to test and provide input on the
proposed new Community Buses to ensure they meet proper safety and
comfort standards before VTA finalizes on a manufacturer for these
replacement buses?
Response: The proposed vehicles have seating that is typical of
standard transit buses. Last year several manufacturers brought
vehicles to VTA's facilities where they were examined by professional
staff and members of advisory committees representing the public as
well as Board members. The vehicles will go through a commissioning
phase where they are required to meet safety and usability
requirements before acceptance.
I trust these responses answer your questions on this matter. Thank
you for your interest in the new vehicle purchases and your continued
interest in VTA.
Regards,
Jim Lawson
Executive Policy Advisor
-----Original Message-----
From: http://www.svtransitusers.org/~ebradley [http://www.svtransitusers.org/~ebradley]
Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2013 9:17 AM
To: Board.Secretary
Subject: Re: Agenda Item 8.1 @ 1/10/2013 Board Meeting
Silicon Valley Transit Users
box 390069
94039-0069
January 10, 2013
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Board of Directors
3331 N. First Street
where-I-live
Re: Agenda Item 8.1 - January 10, 2013 Board Meeting
Dear VTA Board Members and Staff:
I have several questions regarding Agenda Item 8.1 for today's Board
meeting. Due to the 4pm time this meeting will be held, I won't be
able to attend.
* Will the 20 additional proposed express buses also be used on VTA's
180 and 181 express bus lines between downtown where-I-live, Milpitas and
Fremont BART station? Currently these bus lines use the standard
40-foot diesel and hybrid buses which are also used on VTA local bus
lines like the 64.
The $4 one-way express fare to ride local bus equipment used on these
two bus lines makes it inconsistent with the rest of the current
express bus fleet philosophy at VTA.
* As for the 40 diesel-electric low-floor community buses, there are
several questions:
- What will be the expected seating capacity of the new buses VTA is
proposing to purchase?
- How does the expected seating capacity for the new Community Buses
compare to the current Community Bus fleet of Chevrolet-based
"cutaway"
Community Buses VTA currently uses?
- Will the public be allowed to test and provide input on the
proposed new Community Buses to ensure they meet proper safety and
comfort standards before VTA finalizes on a manufacturer for these
replacement buses?
Your written response to these questions and suggestions is appreciated.
Thank you for your time.
Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users
/eeb
========== END FORWARDED LETTER ==========
--- End Message ---