This Thursday, June 19, transit will be free all day on Bay Area bus and light rail systems, and until 12 noon on BART, trains, and ferries. The region’s 30 transit systems including BART, Caltrain, the ACE train, Dumbarton Express, SamTrans, along with VTA light rail and buses will participate.

This is the last free ride since “Spare the Air” day began in 2004. Last summer there were two “Spare the Air” days that cost $4.6 million. With a lack of federal funding the two government agencies, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, have determined that the money could be better spent in long-term projects other than reducing emissions for only a few days.

“Spare the Air “ will become “Spare the Air Every Day” and will urge the public to reduce energy use every day.

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA)

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Google Transit

Bay Area Air Quality Management District

Caltrain will be doing routine maintenance on its train tracks from South San Francisco down through the South Bay this week.

Monday through Friday crews will be doing various tasks along the tracks between Atherton and San Jose. The work will take place from 10:00 pm to 7:00 am when the rains are not running. There may be delays in these areas along with some construction noise.

Friday evening at 8:00 pm the railroad grade crossing at Rengstorff Avenue in Mountain View, between the Central Expressway and California Street, will be closed to allow crews to reconstruct the crossing and adjacent track, as well as resurface the street. The temporary closure will take place until Monday morning (March 31) when the track will be reopened for regular weekday train service. Drivers will have to detour around the construction by using Shoreline Boulevard or the San Antonio Road overpass. A free shuttle will be available for pedestrians on Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

For more information check here.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.” I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaveowners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood. I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.

– Martin Luther King Jr. (1929 - 1968)
civil rights leader & clergyman

The quotation by Martin Luther King, Jr. that puts a smile on my face: “We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.”

Freedom Train To Run On Martin Luther King Holiday - Jan. 21

Santa Clara Valley - 2008 Celebration

The Martin Luther King, Jr., Encyclopedia.

This New Year’s Eve Caltrain is offering free rides after 11:00 pm for those planning to celebrate in San Francisco. Caltrain is adding three post-midnight, southbound trains that will depart the San Francisco station at 12:45 am, 1:30 am, and 2 am, making all local weekday stops.

Monday, New Year’s Eve, Caltrain will follow its weekday schedule along with the extra trains after midnight.
Tuesday, New Year’s Day, Caltrain will use its Sunday schedule.

Note: Caltrain does not allow open alcohol containers on trains after 9:00 pm.

Caltrain’s schedule and fares.

For more information on fares and schedules: 1.800.660.4287

According to AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report the national average for self-serve regular gas, as of  3:01:05 AM this morning, was $2.685. Here in San José the best I found was at the ARCO on Meridian Ave. Unleaded is $3.11.

If you think you’ll fix ‘em by parking your car and taking Caltrain be prepared to pay 25 cents per zone more each way. Many commuters will need to budget for an additional $60 a month.