The document summarizes several transportation projects in the Mountain View area, including: 1) The Mountain View Double Track Project which will add a second light rail track between Mountain View Transit Center and State Route 85 in two phases to increase service frequency. 2) Proposed Bus Rapid Transit on El Camino Real which would upgrade existing bus service with bus-only lanes, signal priority, and all-door boarding to make transit faster, more frequent and reliable. 3) The potential implementation of express lanes on State Route 237, State Route 85, and US Highway 101 which would allow solo drivers to use existing carpool lanes for a fee via FasTrak transponders to provide additional congestion relief.

1. Light Rail Efficiency Project
Mountain View Double Track Project
Mountain View Local Projects Open
House

2. 2
2017 Service Plan

3. 3
Mountain View Double Track Project
Phase I: Adds a second main line LRT track (approximately 1,400) feet
between Mountain View Transit Center and State Route 85
Caltrain Realignment: Shifts existing Caltrain track to create space for
second light rail track
Phase II: Extends second main line LRT track over a distance of
approximately 3,000 feet from State Route 85 to Whisman LRT Station

4. 4
Why Are We Doing the Project?
Double Track will allow VTA to:
• Introduce new service from Mountain View to Alum Rock
• Increase connectivity with Caltrain and the future Milpitas BART station
• Serve growing residential and commercial development
• Respond to demand at Levi’s Stadium
• Improve system-wide on-time performance, reduce train bunching

5. 5
Mountain View Double Track – Phase I
Phase I: Construction will occur between mid 2014 to mid
2015. No major impacts to service will occur during this
period.

6. 6
Caltrain Realignment
Caltrain Realignment: Existing Caltrain Tracks will need to be
realigned between Evelyn Station and Highway 237.
Construction will occur between mid 2014 to late 2014.

7. 7
Mountain View Double Track – Phase II
Phase I: Construction will occur between early 2015 to late
2015. Will require Closure of Evelyn Station.

8. 8
Evelyn Station Closure
Evelyn is located where
second light rail track will
be constructed
Discontinuation of service will
begin January 2015
Average Daily Weekday Boardings:
66 (2nd lowest of 59 stations)

9. EL CAMINO REAL BUS RAPID TRANSIT
Would upgrade the current 522 Rapid Bus to BRT status by making
changes to El Camino Real and The Alameda that make transit
FAST, FREQUENT AND RELIABLE and make WALKING and
BICYCLING along the corridor SAFER.

10. Making Stops Faster
BRT stations would function like light rail stations, allowing
passengers to purchase fares or tap Clipper Cards at stations and
board through all three doors.
Increasing Transit Travel Speeds
In some parts of the corridor, a general use lane could be converted
into a bus-only lane, allowing the BRT to bypass traffic.
Transit signal priority would allow an approaching BRT bus to hold a
green light.
EL CAMINO REAL BUS RAPID TRANSIT

11. Making Bicycling and Walking Safer
El Camino Real is designed for cars and can be a scary and
dangerous place to bicycle or walk. Many bicycle and pedestrian
collisions occur each year and some are fatal.
In parts of the corridor with bus-only lanes, bicycle lanes could be
installed (if the city approves).
Crossing distances would be shortened and new intersections,
signals and crosswalks can be added to make El Camino Real
less of a barrier between neighborhoods.
Median BRT stations would act as pedestrian refuges.
EL CAMINO REAL BUS RAPID TRANSIT

12. How Bus-Only Lanes Work
In some parts of the corridor, the bus-only lane would be in the center
of the street, adjacent to the median. BRT stations would be in the
middle of the street. The eastbound and westbound stations would
be on opposite sides of the intersection .
Bus-Only Lanes
WB BRT Station
EL CAMINO REAL BUS RAPID TRANSIT

13. How Bulbout Stations Work
In parts of the corridor with bulbout stations, the curb would be
extended out to the travel lane. The BRT would stop in the travel
lane while passengers board—approximately a 20-second
duration.
BRT stops in lane
Bulbout BRT Station
EL CAMINO REAL BUS RAPID TRANSIT

14. Project Alternatives and Environmental Analysis
Seven project alternatives—ranging from doing nothing to building
14 miles of bus-only lanes—are currently being studied by VTA.
A Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR), which analyzes the
impact that the project will have across 17 categories will be
released in late Summer, 2014.
VTA’s Board of Directors will choose a locally preferred alternative
after the public comment period for the DEIR.
EL CAMINO REAL BUS RAPID TRANSIT

15. Public Outreach and City Coordination
2010 to presentMonthly meetings with city staff
Summer, 2011 City Council, committee presentations
Fall, 2011 Open House community meetings
Spring , 2012 City Council, committee presentations
Fall, 2012 VTA Board of Directors workshop, mtg.
February, 2013 Environmental Scoping meetings
EL CAMINO REAL BUS RAPID TRANSIT

16. Silicon Valley Express Lanes
City of Mountain View
Open House Council Meeting
April 9, 2014

17. What are Express Lanes?
• Express Lanes are converted carpool lanes that offer
solo drivers the opportunity to use carpool lanes for
a fee.
17

18. Why are Express Lanes being
developed?
• To provide congestion relief through more effective
use of existing roadways (e.g., use of existing carpool
lanes)
• To provide commuters with a new mobility option
• To provide a new source of funding for
transportation improvements including public transit
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19. Who can use Express Lanes?
• SOLO DRIVERS can use Express Lanes for a fee.
• CARPOOL USERS Eligible vehicles with two or more
people per car (in addition to transit and
motorcycles) travel in Express Lanes FREE of charge.
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20. Why drivers use Express Lanes
• Drivers choose to use Express Lanes for a variety
of reasons at different times, but the most
reported reasons are:
• Time Savings
• Ease of Commute
• Convenience
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21. FasTrak
21
NO TOLL BOOTHS
FEES
AUTOMATICALLY
DEDUCTED FROM
ACCOUNT
FASTRAK
TRANSPONDER
ATTACHES TO
WINDSHIELD

22. How Much Do Solo Drivers Pay?
• Range of cost on SR 237 has been
between $0.30 and $4.75, with
an average toll less than $2.00
• Pricing changes as the number of
drivers increases and decreases
to ensure a free flow of traffic
• When more cars are on the
roadway, the price to enter
express lanes is higher. When
there are fewer cars driving, the
cost is lower
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23. Digital Signage and Pricing
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24. How Do I Pay?
• Step 1: Visit bayareafastrak.org to learn about
FasTrak
• Step 2: Purchase a toll tag through FasTrak or at
retail locations
• Step 3: Register your new toll tag immediately to
a new or existing FasTrak account online
or by phone at (877) 229-8655.
• Step 4: After you have completed the registration
process, mount toll tag in your vehicle and
begin enjoying the benefits of FasTrak.
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25. How Are Toll Revenues Used?
• Operations, maintenance and
enforcement
• Revenue to stay within corridor
• Any remaining revenues to be used
for transportation improvements
including transit
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26. Where /When Can I Use Express
Lanes?
• SR 237 Express Lanes
• Phase 1 (in operation March 2012)
• Phase 2 (2016 pending funding)
• SR 85 Express Lanes - 2017 pending funding
• US 101 Express Lanes - 2017 pending funding
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27. 27

28. SR 237 Express Lanes Data
• Up to 10,000 solo drivers use the SR 237 Express
Lanes each week
• Solo drivers have saved up to 20 minutes
• Drivers in the general purpose lanes are saving up to
seven (7) minutes
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29. SR 237 Express Lanes – Phase 2
• Project Description
• 1-lane Express Lane (convert 1-lane HOV lane from
existing Phase 1 terminus to approximately Mathilda
Ave.)
• Project length: 4 miles
• Environmental Clearance
• Summer 2014
• Project Opening
• Targeting 2016, funding dependent
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30. 30

31. 31

32. SR 85 Express Lanes
• Project Description
• 1-lane Express Lanes (convert 1-lane HOV lane from
US 101 interchange in San Jose to US 101
interchange in Mountain View)
• 2-lane Express Lanes (add another lane between the
SR87 and I-280 interchanges)
• Project length: 24 miles
• Environmental Clearance
• Circulation December 2013
• Approval Fall 2014
• Project Opening
• Targeting 2017, funding dependent
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33. 33

34. US 101 Express Lanes
• Project Description
• 1-lane Express Lanes (convert 1-lane HOV lane from
Cochrane Rd. in Morgan Hill to SR85 interchange in
Mountain View)
• 2-lane Express Lanes (add a new lane between Dunne
Ave. and SR85 interchange in San Jose, between Blossom
Hill Road and Mathilda Dr. in Sunnyvale; and convert 2-
lane HOV lanes from SR85 interchange in Mtn View to
the county line in Palo Alto)
• Project length: 36 miles
• Environmental Clearance - Fall 2014
• Project Opening - Targeting 2017, funding dependent
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35. 35

36. NORTH CENTRAL COUNTY BUS IMPROVEMENT
PLAN
PURPOSE
The planned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) services on El Camino Real and Stevens Creek
may change travel demand on local bus routes that cross these corridors.
Additionally, the cities in this area (Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara and
Cupertino) are intensifying land uses in areas that are not easily accessible by BRT so
it may be necessary to make changes to local bus service to meet a changing rider
demand. The Plan will make recommendations that will flow into VTA’s scheduled
service adjustment process.
GOALS
Improve connectivity of local routes with the BRT routes
Explore whether new service types or new routes are needed
Improve overall transit service in the study area while being cost effective
Collect input from the communities in the study area

37. NORTH CENTRAL COUNTY BUS IMPROVEMENT
PLANSTUDY AREA

38. NORTH CENTRAL COUNTY BUS IMPROVEMENT
PLAN
SCHEDULE
2014
April Existing Conditions Analysis
May Development of Draft Recommendations
June Review Draft Recommendations with City Staff
July Community and City Council Meetings
August Final Recommendations released
2015
VTA’s Biennial Service Changes
2018
Service Changes relating to opening of BRT routes

39. Rider Surveys
New Bus Stop Designs
Easy To Work With
TRANSIT
PASSENGER
ENVIRONMENT
PLAN
Prioritizing Improvements
Stop Percentiles
RidershipPercentages
Most of VTA’s bus riders come from a small
percentage of stops. 21% of bus riders come
from the top 1% of bus stops. 50% of bus riders
come from 5% of bus stops.
That tells us we need to prioritize improvements
to high-ridership stops to ensure the maximum
rider benefit per dollar spent.

40. Prioritizing Improvements
New Bus Stop Designs
Easy To Work With
TRANSIT
PASSENGER
ENVIRONMENT
PLAN
Rider Surveys
In the past, decisions about how to improve bus
stops were made with good intentions, but not
with data regarding which bus stop amenities
riders value most.
VTA surveyed riders in the summer of 2013 and
found that transit information is the most desired
amenity, followed by shelter and seating. This
information will inform which types of
improvements are installed.

41. Prioritizing Improvements
Easy To Work With
TRANSIT
PASSENGER
ENVIRONMENT
PLAN
Rider Surveys
New Bus Stop Designs
Many of VTA’s boxy, blue shelters are
approaching the end of their 20-year lifetime.
They will need to be replaced in the coming
decade so we’re looking at new, more functional,
more aesthetically pleasing shelter designs.

42. Prioritizing Improvements
TRANSIT
PASSENGER
ENVIRONMENT
PLAN
Rider Surveys
New Bus Stop Designs
Easy To Work With
In the past, VTA’s thinking about bus stop design
has been somewhat rigid and it hasn’t been easy
for cities, developers and the public to know how
to work with VTA. The Transit Passenger
Environment Plan explains all of VTA’s policies
about bus stops and makes it easy to work with
us.