It seems like our struggle to assure a BART station at 28th Street (formerly known as the Alum Rock Station) may not yet be over.

We’ve heard recently that some folks in Santa Clara are suggesting that one of the three stations planned for San Jose (28th Street, Diridon or downtown) should be dropped to assure that Santa Clara will have a BART station. We understand taking a cautious attitude about what VTA promises and can build, but we regret that Santa Clara may take a position that shatters regional solidarity as we approach the November ballot measure. If the 28th Street station were to be eliminated, all of Eastside San Jose would have far less to gain from the proposed transit tax and may well turn against it (especially after our experience with BRT on Alum Rock). But it’s also important to note that the 28th Street station will be the primary access to BART for commuters coming up 101 from the South County.

The VTA Board is scheduled to vote next week (June 2) on the package of projects to be funded by the November ballot measure — a package that now includes all four BART stations. We need to make sure all four stations stay in the package.

Please try to attend the board meeting.

Please also consider contacting some of the board members in advance. Here’s a link to a list of the board members: http://www.vta.org/get-involved/board-of-directors