Safety is the most important issue for any transit agency.  In Santa Clara County, protections in place around VTA light rail stations and tracks should never be ignored.

This month there were two serious incidents involving bicyclists hit by VTA light rail trains. In both cases, warning lights and bells were working and crossing gates were down to keep people from crossing the tracks as trains approached.  In both cases, those protections were ignored and serious injuries occurred.

It bears repeating messages we’ve put out often in the past: VTA bus and rail operators go through extensive safety training to operate their vehicles, but these vehicles weigh 50 tons…100,000 pounds and they cannot stop on a dime. Pedestrians, bicyclists and other drivers must be aware they share the roads with these massive trains, as light rail tracks are on the same grade level as streets.

Please remember the following safety tips when traveling on or around the VTA bus or light rail system.
•    LOOK both ways before crossing our tracks. Watch for warning signs and stay behind the yellow line when you’re on a light rail platform.

•    Remove your headphones and LISTEN for the light rail train and any audible warning signals that let you know a light rail train is approaching or a bus is approaching a stop or intersection.

•    PAY ATTENTION to warning signs and street and pedestrian crossing gates. They are there to protect you and remind you to only cross the tracks when it is safe to do so. 

For more safety tips, please watch and share this VTA Safety video.