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San José council endorses VTA priorities for SB 63, pushing for safety, youth passes and signal-priority spending
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Summary
Council unanimously approved a staff memorandum to forward San José’s priorities to VTA for a proposed SB 63 regional transportation measure, recommending fund shares for pavement, transit capital and a visionary network and urging youth pass programs and transit-safety investments.
San José’s City Council unanimously approved a staff memorandum to forward the city’s recommended local investment priorities to the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority as it develops a local investment plan under SB 63.
VTA officials Greg Richardson and Sam Sargent walked the council through the proposed regional measure’s focus on transit-eligible projects and a ‘return-to-source’ design that would keep roughly 84% of county sales tax revenue local after set-asides. "Using this the measure's base year, fiscal year 2031, this means that approximately $264,000,000 annually will come to the county through VTA," Richardson said during the presentation.
San José staff proposed three priority buckets the council agreed to forward: up to 20% for roadway maintenance (to help offset shrinking Measure T funds), 30% for transit-supportive capital (station upgrades including work at Diridon Station and electrification-related improvements), and 50% toward a visionary network that focuses on service frequency and rider experience. John Resto, a city transportation official, framed the distribution as a way to preserve pavement funding while advancing service improvements.
Councilmembers emphasized safety, access and ridership. Councilmember Campos asked whether the pavement allocation could include complete-streets elements such as sidewalks and shelters; VTA and staff said eligibility under SB 63 language must be confirmed and promised to follow up. Campos also urged youth transit passes, noting pilot programs and local SmartPass successes in nearby districts. "Safety has to be at the center of everything that we do," Campos said, highlighting station visibility and last-mile connections.
Sam Sargent described possible investments across three strategic areas — foundational, reimagine and transform — and gave examples that include bus corridor improvements, station upgrades, fare programs for seniors and students, and transit signal priority to speed trips. Councilmember Cohen and others argued such investments could increase ridership, and several members urged the VTA to address construction impacts on surrounding communities.
The council voted to send the staff memorandum and its priorities to VTA; staff said the city will continue engagement as VTA refines the plan for a board action expected in June.
