SAN JOSE, Calif. — A strike by members of the Amalgamated Transit Union has shut down the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority as of 12:01 a.m. today (March 10).
The union, which represents 1,500 VTA employees, including light rail and bus operators, dispatchers, and maintenance staff, had announced its intent to strike last week [see “San Jose-area transit agency faces strike …,” Trains News Wire, March 7, 2025] after rejecting a VTA offer of 9.3%, compounded, over the life of a three-year contract. The union is seeking increases of 6% each year.
The VTA said on its website that the parties met on Sunday, March 9, “but there were no meaningful negotiations.” It called the strike “devastating news for the tens of thousands of riders who rely on our buses and light rail trains to get to schools, workplaces, medical appointments, and events. … We understand the hardship this service disruption causes, and we are pursuing as many avenues as possible to mitigate the impact to the riding public as quickly as we can.” About 100,000 people use the VTA system daily.
Raj Singh, president and business agent of ATU Local 265, said in a statement that the union had “been forced into this position because of the VTA’s failure to negotiate in good faith. … For months, our members have been disregarded, their sacrifices ignored, and their needs dismissed.” The union said negotiations have been stalled for six months.
Yes Charles but let’s also not pretend that it couldn’t and shouldn’t be more than it is.
Two million people live in Santa Clara County. One hundred thousand people ride the trains and buses, which I take it to mean 100,000 fares, most of them half of a round trip.
Do the math. And while you’re at it, do the math on Amtrak. If every Amtrak rider took only one trip a year (not even a round trip) that would be less than one percent of the population.
I’m all for public transportation (including Amtrak, which I ride). Let’s not pretend it’s anything more than what it is.