• With nearly $1 billion from the Federal Government for Phase I, plus strong local support including Santa Clara County’s $1.2 billion for Phase I, this project demonstrates a universal commitment towards advancing transportation access.
• With nearly $6.45 billion from the state and county already committed to BSVII, this project demonstrates a collective effort towards transportation and economic transformation and enhancement.
• These investments not only reflect the will of the voters but also alleviate congestion and foster job growth across Santa Clara County, enhancing mobility and economic benefits at every level.
• In August 2024, VTA received a commitment from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for $5.1 billion in funding through the New Starts program.

• Completion of the BSVII Project extension will connect Santa Clara County with the larger existing BART system, providing easy connections from the south Bay to areas in the north bay served by BART and Caltrain.  

• For a typical 50-mile commute in the Bay Area, taking BART will save riders an average of 30 minutes as opposed to driving.  
• VTA’s BART Silicon Valley below ground extension will not only boosts the BART system’s efficiency by reducing delays and enhancing reliability but also helps provide safer streets by preventing pedestrian, bicycle, and automobile collisions. 

• The project will reduce traffic congestion and delays by providing a practical alternative to driving, thereby reducing the number of cars on the road and the stress it places on individuals and the environment.
• Recent studies shows that the project will provide the reduction of 56.4 million vehicle miles travelled (VMT) by reducing 50 tons of CO2 and 19,500 tons of Green House Gas emissions. This helps improve air quality and prevent further climate change.

• The project aims to enhance public transportation access in East San José, improving connectivity for non-car households and ensuring easier access to healthcare and education.
• By offering reliable transit to healthcare facilities and supporting the academic missions of San José State and Santa Clara University with low-cost transit options, the project fosters a more connected community and provides new opportunities for residents.

• The project reflects VTA’s dedication to affordable housing and the creation of inclusive, vibrant communities around transit stations, planning for up to 60 million sq. ft. of new commercial and residential development near the four stations.
• It also includes the principles of Transit-Oriented Communities, which promote accessible, sustainable living with a focus on affordable housing, a diverse workforce, and equitable access, ensuring economic growth and improved transit connections.

• For every $1 invested in the project, it results in $5 of economic growth being generated for Santa Clara County, providing a strong economic return on investment for job creation and economic activity.
• By helping to improve transit connections for both employees and employers, the project will expand employment opportunities for 2 million people in Santa Clara County by providing access to 3.5 million Bay Area jobs.

• Upon completion, the project will have generated 75,000 jobs, including both direct jobs within the construction industry and support positions, offering substantial employment opportunities.
• The Community Workforce Agreement within the Project Labor Agreement (PLA) ensures the project progresses efficiently and equitably by avoiding labor disputes and fostering a collaborative, socially responsible environment.
• The PLA reflects VTA’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity, promoting business diversity and career opportunities for underserved communities, thereby driving social change and economic empowerment in Santa Clara County.

• The project will provide Santa Clara County residents with efficient and reliable transportation options, connecting them to job centers, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities both within the county and throughout the Bay Area.
• The commitment to providing affordable housing in station areas will directly benefit City of San José and City of Santa Clara residents struggling with housing affordability. This commitment addresses the cities’ housing challenges by offering more accessible and affordable housing options, improving the overall quality of life for all residents.
• The project’s focus on fair access, job creation, and affordable housing directly benefits Santa Clara County’s diverse population, by enhancing the overall well-being and quality of life for county residents, ensuring that disadvantaged communities have better access to opportunities and essential services.

• VTA values sustainability as part of its core mission. Building on this legacy of sustainability efforts and actions, VTA issued a  Sustainability Charter  for the BART to Silicon Valley Phase II Project.  The Charter affirms VTA’s commitment to take a comprehensive sustainable approach to the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the BSVII Project. The design teams will include several sustainability elements in design and contract documents to ensure that the Project is built in a manner that is environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable. 

• The Project’s  Sustainability Master Plan  serves as a roadmap to achieve Envision Platinum, the highest level of certification from the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure. VTA was successful at achieving Envision Platinum for the Berryessa Transit Center as part of BART Silicon Valley Phase I. To achieve a Platinum award, a project must demonstrate that it delivers a heightened range of environmental, social and economic benefits to the project implementor and surrounding  communities. The Envision system examines the impact of sustainable infrastructure projects as a whole, through five distinct categories: Quality of Life, Leadership, Resource Allocation, Natural World and Climate, and Resilience. These key areas contribute to the positive social, economic, and environmental impacts on a community. 

Building upon a legacy of sustainability efforts and actions, VTA has issued a Sustainability Charter for Phase II. The Charter affirms the project’s commitment to sustainability and ultimately commits the project to use the Envision sustainable infrastructure rating system and to be an Envision certified project. The design teams will include several sustainability elements in design and contract documents to ensure that VTA’s sustainability goals and objectives are achieved.