The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority operates more than 60 routes within Santa Clara County and neighboring Alameda and San Mateo Counties, with local (using standard-size and articulated buses), community and light rail shuttles (using a mix of cutaway vans and small buses), and limited-stop and express (using standard-size buses) services. These routes connect communities in the county with Caltrain stations, shopping centers, schools, hospitals, and business parks.
For more details on the VTA's participation in the Bus Rapid Transit program, click here. |
High-Floored Bus
The VTA operates one type of high-floor bus, the Gillig Phantom. This bus type is currently the oldest in the fleet, with many of them being retired already due to age and have since been replaced by low-floored models by Gillig as well to make bus services more accessible to seniors and patrons with disabilities.
Gillig Phantom (40-foot) standard bus (97xx to 99xx Series)
Low-Floored Buses
Owing to accessibility needs in Santa Clara County, the VTA has purchased -- and still continues to invest in -- low-floored buses, again made by Gillig, not only to replace the aging Phantoms, but also to reduce carbon emissions by utilizing hybrid technology and to carry more passengers efficiently. These buses are the workhorses of the agency, with the Gillig Advantage, Gillig Low Floor and the Gillig Hybrid Low Floor buses being used on most routes within the county.
Gillig Advantage (35-foot) baby bus (21xx Series)
These baby buses, shorter in length than the Gillig Low Floor, are used primarily on low- to medium-density routes within Santa Clara County. The main difference between the Advantage and the Low Floor bus: the number of windows. The Gillig Advantage has six windows on both sides (excluding the driver window), while the Gillig Low Floor has seven (the Rapid variant, though, has six wide windows on the boarding side).
These baby buses, shorter in length than the Gillig Low Floor, are used primarily on low- to medium-density routes within Santa Clara County. The main difference between the Advantage and the Low Floor bus: the number of windows. The Gillig Advantage has six windows on both sides (excluding the driver window), while the Gillig Low Floor has seven (the Rapid variant, though, has six wide windows on the boarding side).
Gillig Low Floor (40-foot) standard bus
These buses are the workhorses of VTA's bus operations, operating on most local bus routes in Santa Clara County. These buses are also frequently used on many express routes to Fremont BART and peak-period services within the county. Two variants can be seen:
20xx Series
These buses are the workhorses of VTA's bus operations, operating on most local bus routes in Santa Clara County. These buses are also frequently used on many express routes to Fremont BART and peak-period services within the county. Two variants can be seen:
20xx Series
22xx Series
10xx Series
A minor difference between these buses and the 20xx series (above) is the number of windows on the passenger (boarding) side of the bus: the regular version has seven windows, while this variant has six.
Regular Livery
A minor difference between these buses and the 20xx series (above) is the number of windows on the passenger (boarding) side of the bus: the regular version has seven windows, while this variant has six.
Regular Livery
10xx Series, VTA Rapid variant
These buses have been repainted to the regular VTA livery (above).
These buses have been repainted to the regular VTA livery (above).
Gillig Low Floor Hybrid (40-foot) standard bus
These buses were purchased as a result of a successful experiment of using hybrid-operated buses on select routes within Santa Clara County, with dozens already in operation. These buses are noted for their large Hybrid roofs at the rear of the bus, and at least two of these have environmental themes painted on them to show that the VTA is committed to "Keep the Valley Green".
01xx Series
These buses were purchased as a result of a successful experiment of using hybrid-operated buses on select routes within Santa Clara County, with dozens already in operation. These buses are noted for their large Hybrid roofs at the rear of the bus, and at least two of these have environmental themes painted on them to show that the VTA is committed to "Keep the Valley Green".
01xx Series
44xx Series
Line 10 (Airport Flyer) and Gillig Low Floor Hybrid buses
There are at least ten (10) of these low floor hybrid buses that have decals for the Airport Flyer (Line 10), a free shuttle connecting Norman Y. Mineta-San Jose International Airport with Metro/Airport Light Rail station along N First Street and Santa Clara Caltrain Staion, providing airport-bound passengers an opportunity to take transit from anywhere in Santa Clara County (especially along Caltrain and Light Rail) all the way to the airport. Note, however, that the Airport Flyer only operates between 5:30am and midnight daily. Not only this service does not have a fare box on board; it also has baggage racks on board for strollers and luggage, similar to a typical airport shuttle van.
There are at least ten (10) of these low floor hybrid buses that have decals for the Airport Flyer (Line 10), a free shuttle connecting Norman Y. Mineta-San Jose International Airport with Metro/Airport Light Rail station along N First Street and Santa Clara Caltrain Staion, providing airport-bound passengers an opportunity to take transit from anywhere in Santa Clara County (especially along Caltrain and Light Rail) all the way to the airport. Note, however, that the Airport Flyer only operates between 5:30am and midnight daily. Not only this service does not have a fare box on board; it also has baggage racks on board for strollers and luggage, similar to a typical airport shuttle van.
64xx Series
These buses, similar to the 01xx and 44xx series above, are used on local services within Santa Clara County. However, compared to the earlier coaches, the 64xx series feature the latest VTA livery.
These buses, similar to the 01xx and 44xx series above, are used on local services within Santa Clara County. However, compared to the earlier coaches, the 64xx series feature the latest VTA livery.
74xx Series
This series, debuted in 2017, is a cross between the Gillig Advantage and Gillig BRT Hybrid with a modified roof, different light arrangement, and modified interior seating.
This series, debuted in 2017, is a cross between the Gillig Advantage and Gillig BRT Hybrid with a modified roof, different light arrangement, and modified interior seating.
New Flyer D60LFW (60-foot) articulated bus (23xx Series)
These buses are primarily used on routes along El Camino Real, the primary commercial corridor in Santa Clara County. The Line 22 (Palo Alto Caltrain - Eastridge, stopping service) and the Line 522 Rapid (Palo Alto Caltrain - Eastridge, Bus Rapid Transit) are the busiest lines (combined) in the VTA network, in which the Line 22 operates 24 hours a day, everyday, while the Line 522 operates daily from 6am to 11pm to complement Line 22, and both lines use these buses to cater to the high ridership along the El Camino Real corridor.
Regular Livery
These buses are primarily used on routes along El Camino Real, the primary commercial corridor in Santa Clara County. The Line 22 (Palo Alto Caltrain - Eastridge, stopping service) and the Line 522 Rapid (Palo Alto Caltrain - Eastridge, Bus Rapid Transit) are the busiest lines (combined) in the VTA network, in which the Line 22 operates 24 hours a day, everyday, while the Line 522 operates daily from 6am to 11pm to complement Line 22, and both lines use these buses to cater to the high ridership along the El Camino Real corridor.
Regular Livery
New Flyer D60LFW Articulated Bus, VTA Rapid Livery
These buses have been repainted to the regular VTA livery (above).
These buses have been repainted to the regular VTA livery (above).
New Flyer Xcelsior XDE60 Low-Floor Articulated Bus
This bus type is among the newest in VTA's fleet, which will be used alongside the New Flyer D60LFW buses currently operating on Lines 22 and 522 along El Camino Real, as well as for the future BRT line along Stevens Creek Boulevard with Line 523.
This bus type is among the newest in VTA's fleet, which will be used alongside the New Flyer D60LFW buses currently operating on Lines 22 and 522 along El Camino Real, as well as for the future BRT line along Stevens Creek Boulevard with Line 523.
Most of the XDE60 buses received by the VTA have the business blue Bus Rapid Transit livery, in which these are used mostly on Line 522. Unique features include WiFi on board and indoor bike racks that can carry up to three additional bikes inside in addition to the outside flip-up bike rack that can carry two bikes at a time.
Express Buses
Gillig Advantage Hybrid 40-Footer Suburban Coach
Branded as the VTA Express, these coaches are used mostly during peak commute times only, with high-back seating, overhead luggage racks, and WiFi on board. These operate on long intra-county services that use the county's freeways, with many of them operating out of Gilroy and South San Jose.
Branded as the VTA Express, these coaches are used mostly during peak commute times only, with high-back seating, overhead luggage racks, and WiFi on board. These operate on long intra-county services that use the county's freeways, with many of them operating out of Gilroy and South San Jose.
02xx Series
42xx Series
62xx Series
These buses, similar to the 02xx and 42xx series above, are used on express services within Santa Clara County. However, compared to the earlier suburban coaches, the 62xx series feature the latest VTA livery and feature dark blue seat fabrics.
These buses, similar to the 02xx and 42xx series above, are used on express services within Santa Clara County. However, compared to the earlier suburban coaches, the 62xx series feature the latest VTA livery and feature dark blue seat fabrics.
Gillig BRT Hybrid 29-footer Bus
These short Gillig buses, in the 41xx series, can seat 23 passengers and allow around 12 standees. These are primarily used on short, community services linking transit hubs and low-density communities throughout the county.
Four of these buses, numbered 4126 to 4129, are branded as DASH (Downtown Area Shuttle). These have no fare boxes and their Clipper machines covered since it is a free service to all riders. The buses operate weekdays only between San Jose Diridon Caltrain Station and San Jose State University via San Fernando Street eastbound and San Carlos Street westbound.
Four of these buses, numbered 4126 to 4129, are branded as DASH (Downtown Area Shuttle). These have no fare boxes and their Clipper machines covered since it is a free service to all riders. The buses operate weekdays only between San Jose Diridon Caltrain Station and San Jose State University via San Fernando Street eastbound and San Carlos Street westbound.
Gillig BRT Hybrid 30-footer Bus (DASH livery)