Light rail service fully restored by Santa Clara VTA

Map of San Jose, Calif.-area light rail system

SAN JOSE, Calif. — All Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority light rail service has been restored as of today (April 3, 2025), marking the first time since March 9 the three-line, 42-mile, 60-station system has been fully operable. The Green Line, between Old Ironsides in Santa Clara and Winchester in Campbell, was the last line […]

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Transit agency requests emergency permit to address threats to Southern California’s Surf Line

Passenger train on single track next to palm trees and beach

ORANGE, Calif. — Citing “ongoing threats” to service on the Surf Line route used by Amtrak, Metrolink, and BNSF Railway, the Orange County Transportation Authority on Monday (March 31, 2025) submitted an emergency permit request to the California Coastal Commission for stabilization work above the rail line in San Clemente, Calif. The OCTA says the […]

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Private operators’ overnight-train dreams: Analysis

Illustration of locomotive at night between landmarks of Los Angeles and San Francisco

First of two parts Before jets dominated air travel and a fully developed, publicly funded interstate highway system crisscrossed the U.S., many North American city pairs were linked by dusk to dawn passenger trains. Two companies are seeking to revive that travel option. Prospective U.S. operators Dreamstar and Lunatrain are citing a recent resurgence of […]

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Some Santa Clara VTA light rail service resumes

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority logo

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Some light rail service has now been restored by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, after delays caused by copper-wire theft while the system was shut down by a strike. KGO-TV reports Orange Line service resumed shortly after 10 a.m. today (March 31), while a portion of Blue Line service, between […]

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Wire theft to delay resumption of Santa Clara VTA light rail service

A Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority training train. The resumption of VTA light rail service will be delayed because of copper-wire theft while the system was shut down. VTA

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Resumption of Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority light rail service will be delayed until Monday, March 31, because of theft of copper wire along the light rail system, KGO-TV reports. VTA light rail and bus service have been halted since March 10 because of a strike by 1,500 workers. Bus operations […]

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Judge orders Santa Clara VTA workers to end strike

White light rail train at station

SAN JOSE, Calif. — A judge has ordered an end to the strike by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority workers. The San Jose Mercury News reports Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Daniel T. Nishigaya on Wednesday issued an injunction ordering the 1,500 members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265 back to work, saying the […]

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Striking workers vote down latest offer from Santa Clara VTA (updated)

Light rail train at station platform

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The strike by 1,500 Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority workers will continue after members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265 voted down the latest offer from the VTA board. Public broadcaster KQED reports that in voting today (Monday, March 24) more than 80% rejected the updated offer including 11% in pay […]

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Striking workers postpone contract vote as VTA board calls special meeting

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority logo

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The union representing striking Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority workers called off a scheduled contract vote on Saturday, as the VTA board called a special meeting today (Sunday, March 23) to consider its next steps. KRON-TV reports that a spokesman for Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265 said the vote was postponed […]

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Santa Cruz County transit agency opts to seek intercity rail service on proposed 22-mile line

Map of proposal rail line between Santa Cruz and Pajaro, Calif.

WATSONVILLE, Calif. — The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission has approved pursuing intercity rail service between Santa Cruz and Pajaro, Calif., rather than a light-rail alternative, while asking its staff to find an alternative to bridge repairs or replacement on that route that could cost almost $1 billion. The news site Santa Cruz Local […]

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Brightline West bond sale successfully oversubcribed: news report

View of interstate highway in desert

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Brightline West is in the middle of finalizing $6 billion of bank loans and contracts with construction companies for its $12 billion, 218-mile Las Vegas-Southern California high speed rail venture after selling more than $2.5 billion in private activity bonds, according to Tracy Larkin-Thomason, Director of Nevada’s Department of Transportation. The […]

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Striking workers to vote on new Santa Clara VTA offer

Light rail train at station

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265 will vote Saturday on a new contract proposal from the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, the VTA said today (Friday, March 21, 2025). However, the union’s negotiating team is urging members to reject the offer. The proposal would increase raises over the three-year life […]

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Strong winds gum up BNSF’s Southern Transcon

FORT WORTH, Texas — Persistent, strong winds have caused congestion on BNSF Railway’s Southern Transcon, the railroad said in a customer service advisory on Thursday, March 20. “The BNSF network is currently experiencing challenges, particularly on the Southern Transcon, due to excessive and extended winds exceeding 75 mph that have impacted service consistency, alongside unexpected […]

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