New Rapid Bus Service on San Carlos / Stevens Creek

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) will begin a new limited stop line that (mostly) follows the #23 bus route from downtown San Jose to De Anza College in Cupertino. The new route takes effect on Monday, October 1 2012, along with several other service changes.

VTA runs the public transportation system with buses and light rail trains in California’s Silicon Valley, with service for all of the major cities such as Gilroy, Morgan Hill, San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Cupertino and Palo Alto.

The #23 line is the 3rd busiest route on VTA’s system, running from downtown San Jose along San Carlos Street, to Valley Fair Mall, where San Carlos becomes Stevens Creek Boulevard, and terminating at De Anza College in Cupertino. The buses are currently running beyond capacity.

Currently, the #23 bus has a ten minute service frequency. On Monday, the 23 will run every 12 minutes, with the new 323 service running every 15 minutes. While the 23 bus stops every block or two along it route, the 323 has stops spaced a half mile to a mile apart. Unlike the 23, which loops around behind Valley Fair Mall between I-880 and Winchester, the 323 will shoot straight down Stevens Creek, with new stops added on either side of Stevens Creek by Santana Row. This cuts 15 minutes off of the trip between downtown and De Anza.

Via Carlos, who I believe will find this new service very helpful. He also highlights the other service changes here. I may have opportunity to ride the 23 next Monday evening.

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