Limited Santa Clara County bus service resumes Friday

Following an 18-day strike, VTA bus services will resume, with operations expected to expand in the coming days. A judge ruled that the strike must end, leading VTA to prepare an updated schedule for bus lines, though specific routes for Friday are still to be announced. VTA spokesperson Stacey Hendler Ross noted that the agency will prioritize bus lines with higher ridership as they work through logistical challenges. Light rail services will take longer to restart due to necessary inspections and repairs of the infrastructure, which had been neglected during the strike. The union, ATU Local 265, is still negotiating its contract, having rejected VTA's latest offer of an 11% wage increase over three years.

Union president Raj Singh mentioned that the ruling has diminished their leverage, leading to concerns about whether their demands will be met. The strike significantly impacted public transit users, forcing many to find alternative transportation methods. VTA has implemented a partnership with Uber to assist riders during the service disruption, though this initiative is set to end soon.