It’s Back to School Season for VTA
San Jose, Calif. – While students are wrapping up their final summer activities and getting ready to start the new school year, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is preparing for increased trips taken by students on light rail and buses.  VTA is adjusting its deployment of transit vehicles to address potential passenger overload during peak student ridership hours.
“Taking public transportation is a cost-effective, environmentally friendly travel option for students.  By taking transit, students also get their daily exercise,” said VTA General Manager Michael T. Burns. 
VTA works with local schools to ensure students taking VTA do so safely.  VTA’s Youth Outreach Program is designed to encourage students to learn and experience the benefits of public transportation.  A presentation to students aims to teach them how to ride, plan their trips, the rules of riding and proper transportation etiquette.  VTA also offers a free Class Pass which gives teachers the opportunity to take students on field trips using VTA buses and light rail.  Over 55,000 teachers and students enjoyed a “class pass” trip during the 2009-2010 school year.
        For more information about VTA’s Youth Outreach Program or Class Pass, contact VTA Customer Service at (408) 321-2300, for the hearing impaired only (408) 321-2330.  You can also log onto www.vta.org and sign-up to receive VTA email updates.  Find us on Facebook under “SCVTA”, Twitter under “SantaclaraVTA”, and YouTube at www.youtube.com/scvta.