Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority

Power Problems Disrupt VTA Light Rail Service

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority equipment experienced a number of electrical outages Wednesday, leading to hours-long light rail service disruptions.

According to authorities, the problems are weather-related. The heat caused a power line to contract and also trigged power outages. 

A train became stuck on the tracks near the Blossom Hill station, VTA reported. The track was powered down and California Highway Patrol responded to the scene to evacuate passengers.

A bus bridge also replaced light rail between Curtner and Blossom Hill and Blossom Hill and Capitol stations, VTA noted.

According to VTA, trains were running unaffected from Santa Teresa to Blossom Hill. There was no light rail service between Children's Discovery and Blossom Hill stations. Passengers were requested to use a bus bridge between these stops.

Meanwhile, the Ohlone/Chynoweth line was also powered down. Passengers were asked to use Lline 13 instead.

An outage also prompted the closure of light rail traffic between the Tasman and I-880/Milpitas stations, VTA said. A bus bridge was set up there as well, VTA said.

Trains are operating normally between Alum Rock and I-880 and near Old Ironsides.

VTA spokeswoman Brandi Childress estimated that it would be several hours before the problems are fixed. 

Contact Us