Starting at 12:01 a.m. on March 10, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) will be unable to provide bus or light rail service due to a strike by the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 265. The union represents over 1,500 VTA employees, including bus and light rail operators, maintenance staff, dispatchers, fare inspectors, and customer service representatives.

This is 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. Alternatives to public transportation include carpooling, ridesharing, regional rail, walking, and biking. VTA Paratransit service will continue regular operations.

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.

The two parties met today, but there were no meaningful negotiations. ATU leadership has not adjusted their wage proposal of 6% increases each year over three years.

VTA has offered a wage increase of 4%, 3%, and 2% over three years, for a total compounded increase of 9.3%. This offer maintains a competitive wage package for our operators, who are currently the second highest paid in the Bay Area and the fifth highest paid in the nation. This offer allows us to maintain our current service levels. Any further adjustments would necessitate cuts to service and staffing at VTA.

For the latest updates on transit services, check VTA's social media channels, the Transit App, or visit our website.