.gif)
Mountain View - Winchester (VTA)
Encyclopedia
Mountain View–Winchester is a light rail
route operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
(VTA). The Mountain View–Winchester route is one of three existing VTA light rail routes. The other two light rail routes are the Alum Rock–Santa Teresa line and Ohlone/Chynoweth–Almaden line. On system maps, the line is represented as the Green Line, however, unlike many other transit systems, VTA personnel do not refer to the line by its color, much less refer to it as Line 902 on official documents.
(Mountain View, California
), travels toward the east, passing under U.S. Route 101 at Ellis Avenue, following Mathilda Avenue to Java Drive, crossing State Route 237
and turning East on Tasman Drive. At First Street, it turns south and shares tracks of the Alum Rock–Santa Teresa line to downtown
San Jose. After the Convention Center
stop, it leaves the shared portion of the tracks and heads south west to the Winchester station in southern Campbell
, with a stop at Caltrain
and Amtrak's
Diridon Station
. The whole route takes approximately one hour and fifteen minutes.
and Baypointe
. VTA light rail was the only light rail service in the United States to operate 24 hours a day. The owl service was curtailed in 2003 as a result of mounting deficits.
station is part of Guadelupé line, the first light rail line constructed in Santa Clara county. Guadalupé line opened for revenue service on December 10, 1987 originally running from Old Ironsides station to Civic Center
station in San Jose. Champion
station was not part of the original line; it was added as intermediate stop as part of the Tasman West project.
Service on this line was gradually expanded south from Civic Center station as follows:
Tasman West extension was constructed with funds from 1996 Measure B sales tax measure.
to the southern line terminal, Winchester station
. Vasona extension opened for revenue service on October 1, 2005. It was originally scheduled to open two months earlier on August 1 but delayed due to a dispute between Federal Railroad Administration
and VTA. At issue was whether a waiver was needed from FRA, since the Union Pacific branchline that parallels most of Vasona extension is still actively used on a tri-weekly basis. A waiver was finally obtained on the condition that all light rail vehicles sound their horns at crossings until "Quiet Zone" improvements are implemented (freight trains are still required to sound their horns). Vasona extension was also constructed with funds from 1996 Measure B sales tax measure.
and Convention Center
Many stations along this line have park-and-ride lots (labeled as ), as well as bike stations (labeled as ), including:
trips, meaning they operate portions of the route. Late night supplementary services are also provided northbound from Baypointe
to Downtown Mountain View.
Light rail
Light rail or light rail transit is a form of urban rail public transportation that generally has a lower capacity and lower speed than heavy rail and metro systems, but higher capacity and higher speed than traditional street-running tram systems...
route operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority is a special-purpose district responsible for public transit services, congestion management, specific highway improvement projects, and countywide transportation planning for Santa Clara County, California, United States...
(VTA). The Mountain View–Winchester route is one of three existing VTA light rail routes. The other two light rail routes are the Alum Rock–Santa Teresa line and Ohlone/Chynoweth–Almaden line. On system maps, the line is represented as the Green Line, however, unlike many other transit systems, VTA personnel do not refer to the line by its color, much less refer to it as Line 902 on official documents.
Route description
The Mountain View–Winchester line starts from the Downtown Mountain View stationDowntown Mountain View station
Downtown Mountain View station is an intermodal passenger transportation station that serves the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority light rail system, Caltrain commuter rail line, and numerous bus and shuttle routes.-Station amenities:...
(Mountain View, California
Mountain View, California
-Downtown:Mountain View has a pedestrian-friendly downtown centered on Castro Street. The downtown area consists of the seven blocks of Castro Street from the Downtown Mountain View Station transit center in the north to the intersection with El Camino Real in the south...
), travels toward the east, passing under U.S. Route 101 at Ellis Avenue, following Mathilda Avenue to Java Drive, crossing State Route 237
California State Route 237
State Route 237 runs from El Camino Real in Mountain View to Interstate 680 in Milpitas. It runs south of the San Francisco Bay, connecting the East Bay to the Peninsula.This route is part of the California Freeway and Expressway System....
and turning East on Tasman Drive. At First Street, it turns south and shares tracks of the Alum Rock–Santa Teresa line to downtown
Downtown
Downtown is a term primarily used in North America by English speakers to refer to a city's core or central business district ....
San Jose. After the Convention Center
Convention Center (VTA)
Convention Center is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. The station is located located in San Jose, California in the median of West San Carlos Street between Market Street and Almaden Boulevard. It is directly in front of the San Jose Convention Center...
stop, it leaves the shared portion of the tracks and heads south west to the Winchester station in southern Campbell
Campbell, California
Campbell is a city in Santa Clara County, California, a suburb of San Jose, and part of Silicon Valley, in the San Francisco Bay Area. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, Campbell's population is 39,349...
, with a stop at Caltrain
Caltrain
Caltrain is a California commuter rail line on the San Francisco Peninsula and in the Santa Clara Valley in the United States. The northern terminus of the rail line is in San Francisco, at 4th and King streets; its southern terminus is in Gilroy...
and Amtrak's
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
Diridon Station
Diridon Station
Diridon Station is the central passenger rail depot for San Jose, California. It also serves as a transit hub for Santa Clara County and the Silicon Valley...
. The whole route takes approximately one hour and fifteen minutes.
Owl service
From February 2000 to April 14, 2003, VTA operated all night train service with light rail vehicles (commonly known as "owl service") on a 70 minute frequency between Mountain ViewDowntown Mountain View station
Downtown Mountain View station is an intermodal passenger transportation station that serves the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority light rail system, Caltrain commuter rail line, and numerous bus and shuttle routes.-Station amenities:...
and Baypointe
Baypointe (VTA)
Baypointe is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority in San Jose, California. This station is served by VTA's Alum Rock–Santa Teresa line....
. VTA light rail was the only light rail service in the United States to operate 24 hours a day. The owl service was curtailed in 2003 as a result of mounting deficits.
Construction history
The route that the Mountain View–Winchester line now runs on is constructed in three different expansion projects: the original Guadelupé line, the Tasman West extension, and the Vasona extension.Guadelupé line
The trackway between Woz Way in Downtown San Jose and Old IronsidesOld Ironsides (VTA)
Old Ironsides is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority , located in Santa Clara, California. Old Ironsides is served by the Mountain View–Winchester light rail line....
station is part of Guadelupé line, the first light rail line constructed in Santa Clara county. Guadalupé line opened for revenue service on December 10, 1987 originally running from Old Ironsides station to Civic Center
Civic Center (VTA)
Civic Center is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. The station is located located in San Jose, California on 1st Street just north of Mission Street...
station in San Jose. Champion
Champion (VTA)
Champion is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority . Champion is served by the Mountain View-Winchester light rail line...
station was not part of the original line; it was added as intermediate stop as part of the Tasman West project.
Service on this line was gradually expanded south from Civic Center station as follows:
- Service through the downtown mall and onward to the Convention CenterConvention Center (VTA)Convention Center is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. The station is located located in San Jose, California in the median of West San Carlos Street between Market Street and Almaden Boulevard. It is directly in front of the San Jose Convention Center...
station began on July 17, 1988. - Service between Convention Center and TamienTamien StationTamien Station is an intermodal passenger transportation station served by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority light rail system, two bus routes, and the Caltrain commuter rail line. The station has two distinct elevated rail platforms – one for Caltrain, the other for light rail. ...
stations began on August 17, 1990. - Service between Tamien and Santa TeresaSanta Teresa (VTA)Santa Teresa is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority . This station is the southern terminus of VTA's Alum Rock-Santa Teresa line...
stations began on April 25, 1991.
Tasman West extension
The Tasman West extension project added to the line as follows:- ChampionChampion (VTA)Champion is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority . Champion is served by the Mountain View-Winchester light rail line...
station added as an intermediate stop along existing Guadelupe line trackway (Station opened March 24, 1997). - 7.6 miles (12.2 km) of trackway and 12 new light rail stations added between the existing Old Ironsides stationOld Ironsides (VTA)Old Ironsides is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority , located in Santa Clara, California. Old Ironsides is served by the Mountain View–Winchester light rail line....
and the new Downtown Mountain View stationDowntown Mountain View stationDowntown Mountain View station is an intermodal passenger transportation station that serves the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority light rail system, Caltrain commuter rail line, and numerous bus and shuttle routes.-Station amenities:...
. (Opened December 17, 1999.) - BaypointeBaypointe (VTA)Baypointe is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority in San Jose, California. This station is served by VTA's Alum Rock–Santa Teresa line....
station added just east of the intersection of 1st and Tasman. (Opened December 17, 1999.)
- Baypointe station is no longer served by this line due to a line reconfiguration implemented in August 2005.
- After the completion of Tasman West extension and before the completion of Tasman East/Capitol and Vasona extensions, VTA split the light rail system into two main lines: one line running between Baypointe and Downtown Mountain View, the other between Baypointe and Santa TeresaSanta Teresa (VTA)Santa Teresa is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority . This station is the southern terminus of VTA's Alum Rock-Santa Teresa line...
. Passengers transferred between the two lines at the new Baypointe station. TasmanTasman (VTA)Tasman is a light rail station operated by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. It is located in San Jose, California at First Street and Tasman Drive...
is now the transfer station.
- After the completion of Tasman West extension and before the completion of Tasman East/Capitol and Vasona extensions, VTA split the light rail system into two main lines: one line running between Baypointe and Downtown Mountain View, the other between Baypointe and Santa Teresa
Tasman West extension was constructed with funds from 1996 Measure B sales tax measure.
Vasona extension
Mountain View–Winchester contains the entire Vasona extension from San Fernando stationSan Fernando (VTA)
San Fernando is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. The station has two side platforms and two trackways...
to the southern line terminal, Winchester station
Winchester (VTA)
Winchester Transit Center is a light rail station and park-and-ride lot operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority in Campbell, California. Winchester is the southern terminus of the Mountain View–Winchester light rail line.-History:...
. Vasona extension opened for revenue service on October 1, 2005. It was originally scheduled to open two months earlier on August 1 but delayed due to a dispute between Federal Railroad Administration
Federal Railroad Administration
The Federal Railroad Administration is an agency in the United States Department of Transportation. The agency was created by the Department of Transportation Act of 1966...
and VTA. At issue was whether a waiver was needed from FRA, since the Union Pacific branchline that parallels most of Vasona extension is still actively used on a tri-weekly basis. A waiver was finally obtained on the condition that all light rail vehicles sound their horns at crossings until "Quiet Zone" improvements are implemented (freight trains are still required to sound their horns). Vasona extension was also constructed with funds from 1996 Measure B sales tax measure.
Possible future expansion
A Vasona extension Phase 2 was designed but not constructed because a funding source can not be identified. Phase 2 would extend the light rail line westwards to Vasona Junction in eastern Los Gatos. It is expected that Mountain View–Winchester would extend to terminate at Vasona Junction if Phase 2 is built.Station stops
Transfer to Alum Rock–Santa Teresa line anywhere between TasmanTasman (VTA)
Tasman is a light rail station operated by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. It is located in San Jose, California at First Street and Tasman Drive...
and Convention Center
Convention Center (VTA)
Convention Center is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. The station is located located in San Jose, California in the median of West San Carlos Street between Market Street and Almaden Boulevard. It is directly in front of the San Jose Convention Center...
| Station | Transfer to |
|---|---|
| Downtown Mountain View Downtown Mountain View station Downtown Mountain View station is an intermodal passenger transportation station that serves the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority light rail system, Caltrain commuter rail line, and numerous bus and shuttle routes.-Station amenities:... |
Caltrain Caltrain Caltrain is a California commuter rail line on the San Francisco Peninsula and in the Santa Clara Valley in the United States. The northern terminus of the rail line is in San Francisco, at 4th and King streets; its southern terminus is in Gilroy... : Mountain View VTA: 34, 35, 51, 52 |
| Evelyn Evelyn (VTA) Evelyn Light Rail Station is a station on the Mountain View–Winchester Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Light Rail Line.-Location:The station platform is on the single-track section east of the Downtown Mountain View light rail station.... |
|
| Whisman Whisman (VTA) Whisman is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority , located in Mountain View, California. Whisman is served by the Mountain View–Winchester light rail line.... |
|
| Middlefield Middlefield (VTA) Middlefield is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority , located in Mountain View, California. Middlefield is served by the Mountain View–Winchester light rail line.... |
VTA: 32 |
| Bayshore/NASA | |
| Moffett Park Moffett Park (VTA) Moffett Park is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority , located in Sunnyvale, California. Moffett Park is served by the Mountain View–Winchester light rail line.-Location:... |
|
| Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin Transit Center Lockheed Martin Transit Center is a light rail and transit bus station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority , located in Sunnyvale, California... |
VTA: 26, 54, 120, 121, 122, 321, 328 |
| Borregas Borregas (VTA) Borregas is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority , located in Sunnyvale, California. Borregas is served by the Mountain View–Winchester light rail line.-Bus connections:*VTA Bus Routes 26, 120, 121, 122, 321, 328... |
VTA: 26, 120, 121, 122, 321, 328 |
| Crossman Crossman (VTA) Crossman is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority , located in Sunnyvale, California. Crossman is served by the Mountain View–Winchester light rail line.-Bus connections:*VTA Bus Routes 26, 120, 121, 122, 321, 328... |
VTA: 120, 121, 122, 321, 328 |
| Fair Oaks Fair Oaks (VTA) Fair Oaks is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority , located in Sunnyvale, California. Fair Oaks is served by the Mountain View–Winchester light rail line.... |
|
| Vienna Vienna (VTA) Vienna is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority , located in Sunnyvale, California. Vienna is served by the Mountain View–Winchester light rail line. No bus connections are available at this location.... |
|
| Reamwood Reamwood (VTA) Reamwood is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority , located in Santa Clara, California. Reamwood is served by the Mountain View–Winchester light rail line.... |
VTA: 55, 321 |
| Old Ironsides Old Ironsides (VTA) Old Ironsides is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority , located in Santa Clara, California. Old Ironsides is served by the Mountain View–Winchester light rail line.... |
VTA: 55, 57, 60, 121, 140, 330 |
| Great America Great America (VTA) Great America is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority . Great America is served by the Mountain View–Winchester light rail line.-Location:... |
VTA: 140, 330 |
| Lick Mill Lick Mill (VTA) Lick Mill is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority . Lick Mill is served by the Mountain View–Winchester light rail line... |
Altamont Commuter Express Altamont Commuter Express The Altamont Commuter Express is a regional rail service in California connecting Stockton with San Jose.... : Great America Great America-Santa Clara Station Great America-Santa Clara is a train station in Santa Clara, California. It hosts Amtrak's Capitol Corridor trains and Altamont Commuter Express trains. The station is located close to Great America, hence the name. VTA's Lick Mill light rail stop is located several blocks east of the station,... Amtrak Amtrak The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union... : Great America VTA: 140, 330 |
| Champion Champion (VTA) Champion is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority . Champion is served by the Mountain View-Winchester light rail line... |
VTA: 140, 330 |
| Tasman Tasman (VTA) Tasman is a light rail station operated by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. It is located in San Jose, California at First Street and Tasman Drive... |
VTA: Alum Rock - Santa Teresa LRT Alum Rock - Santa Teresa (VTA) Alum Rock–Santa Teresa is a light rail route operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority . The Alum Rock–Santa Teresa route is one of three existing VTA light rail routes. The other two light rail routes are the Mountain View–Winchester line and the Ohlone/Chynoweth–Almaden line... |
| River Oaks River Oaks (VTA) River Oaks is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. River Oaks is served by both the Alum Rock–Santa Teresa and Mountain View–Winchester light rail lines.-Location:... |
VTA: 58 |
| Orchard Orchard (VTA) Orchard is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. The station is located located in San Jose, California in the center median of 1st Street near Orchard Parkway. The station's street address is 3060 N. First Street.... |
VTA: 58, 321 |
| Bonaventura Bonaventura (VTA) Bonaventura is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. The station is located in San Jose, California in the center median of 1st Street near Bonaventura Drive.... |
|
| Component Component (VTA) Component is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. The station is located located in San Jose, California in the center median of 1st Street near Component Drive. The station's street address is 2540 N. First Street.... |
|
| Karina Karina (VTA) Karina is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. The station is located in San Jose, California in the center median of 1st Street near Karina Court. The station's street address is 1900 N. First Street.... |
|
| Metro/Airport Metro/Airport (VTA) Metro/Airport is a VTA light rail station at First Street and Metro Drive in San Jose, CA. , a shuttle bus jointly operated by VTA and the airport, provides access to San Jose International Airport from this station.-External links:*... |
VTA: 10 (Airport Flyer) |
| Gish Gish (VTA) Gish is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. The station is located located in San Jose, California, United States in the center median of 1st Street near Gish Street. The station has a split platform. The northbound platform is located just north of Gish... |
|
| Civic Center Civic Center (VTA) Civic Center is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. The station is located located in San Jose, California on 1st Street just north of Mission Street... |
VTA: 12, 61, 62, 66, 181 |
| Japantown/Ayer Japantown/Ayer (VTA) Japantown/Ayer is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. The station is located located in San Jose, California on 1st Street just north of Empire Street... |
VTA: 66, 181 |
| Saint James Saint James (VTA) Saint James is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. The station is located located in Downtown San Jose, California on 1st and 2nd Streets between Saint James and Saint John Streets. The northbound platform is on 1st Street ; the southbound platform is on... |
VTA: 65, 66, 72, 73, 82, 181, 304 |
| Santa Clara Santa Clara (VTA) Santa Clara is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority . Santa Clara station is served by both the Alum Rock–Santa Teresa and Mountain View–Winchester light rail lines.... |
Highway 17 Express Highway 17 Express The Highway 17 Express is an Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach route provided by a consortium of entities that provides regional service between San Jose and Santa Cruz County in the South Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area... Monterey-Salinas Transit: 55, 79 VTA: DASH, 11, 22, 23, 63, 64, 65, 66, 68, 81, 82, 168, 181, 304, 522 |
| Paseo de San Antonio Paseo de San Antonio (VTA) Paseo de San Antonio is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. Paseo de San Antonio is served by both the Alum Rock–Santa Teresa and Mountain View–Winchester light rail lines.-Location:... |
VTA: DASH, 23, 66, 68, 82, 168, 304 |
| Convention Center Convention Center (VTA) Convention Center is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. The station is located located in San Jose, California in the median of West San Carlos Street between Market Street and Almaden Boulevard. It is directly in front of the San Jose Convention Center... |
VTA: Alum Rock - Santa Teresa LRT Alum Rock - Santa Teresa (VTA) Alum Rock–Santa Teresa is a light rail route operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority . The Alum Rock–Santa Teresa route is one of three existing VTA light rail routes. The other two light rail routes are the Mountain View–Winchester line and the Ohlone/Chynoweth–Almaden line... , DASH, 23, 168 |
| San Fernando San Fernando (VTA) San Fernando is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. The station has two side platforms and two trackways... |
VTA: DASH, 22, 63, 64, 65, 68, 168, 181, 522 |
| San Jose Diridon Diridon Station Diridon Station is the central passenger rail depot for San Jose, California. It also serves as a transit hub for Santa Clara County and the Silicon Valley... |
Altamont Commuter Express: San Jose Amtrak: San Jose Caltrain: San Jose Diridon Highway 17 Express Monterey-Salinas Transit: 55, 79 VTA: DASH, 22, 63, 64, 65, 68, 168, 181, 522 |
| Race Race (VTA) Race is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority . The station consists of a single platform with a single trackway. Trains from both directions arrive on the same track... |
VTA: 65, 103, 182 |
| Fruitdale Fruitdale (VTA) Fruitdale is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority . The station has a center platform situated between two trackways... |
VTA: 25, 63, 103, 182 |
| Bascom Bascom (VTA) Bascom is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority . The station has a single center platform between two trackways... |
|
| Hamilton Hamilton (VTA) Hamilton is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority . Hamilton is served by the Mountain View–Winchester light rail line. The station has a single track used by trains traveling in both directions... |
VTA: 26, 61, 62, 82 |
| Downtown Campbell Downtown Campbell (VTA) Downtown Campbell is a Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority light rail station, located in downtown Campbell. Downtown Campbell station contains one island platform, and marks the beginning of a double-track section which continues to the end of line, Winchester station in western Campbell... |
VTA: 26 |
| Winchester | VTA: 37, 48, 49, 60, 101 |
Station facilities
- Downtown Mountain View
- Evelyn
- Whisman
- Bayshore/NASA
- Moffett Park
- Lockheed Martin
- Lick Mill (at Great America Station: )
- River Oaks — also the stop for VTA headquarters
- San Fernando
- San Jose Diridon
- Bascom
- Winchester
Supplementary service
During peak periods and late nights, many trains operate as short turnShort turn
In public transport, a short turn or turn-back is an earlier terminus on a bus or rail line that is used on some scheduled trips that do not operate along the full length of the route....
trips, meaning they operate portions of the route. Late night supplementary services are also provided northbound from Baypointe
Baypointe (VTA)
Baypointe is a light rail station operated by Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority in San Jose, California. This station is served by VTA's Alum Rock–Santa Teresa line....
to Downtown Mountain View.