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Background
SVTRU has some tips you can follow to make sure you and your
valuables are safe when you take any Santa Clara Valley Transportation
Authority (VTA) bus or light rail train. These tips were
compiled
from various transit agencies throughout the United States.
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Security
Tips When Riding VTA Bus or Light Rail
- Try to use well-lit and frequently used bus and light rail
stops. Immediately report poorly-lit light rail stations
and/or platforms to VTA at (408)321-2300, and use our DIY page for
reporting the issue directly to VTA management.
- Sit as close to the driver as possible. When
riding light rail, sit as close as possible to the light rail operator
at the front of the train.
- If at all possible, do not fall asleep when riding a VTA
bus or light rail train. STAY ALERT!
- Avoid overloading yourself with packages. Take a
buddy with you if you must handle a lot of packages on your trip.
- On crowded buses or light rail trains, be especially weary
of pickpockets. They often have an accomplice who will jostle
you, ask you for directions or the time, or point to something spilled
on your clothing, or distract you by creating a disturbance.
- If at all possible, never carry large sums of money. If you
must do so, do not carry all of it in your wallet or purse.
- Protect your credit cards and transit passes as you would
cash. Do not carry any credit cards, cash, or transit passes
you will not use.
- While waiting for a light rail train, stand back from the
platform edge. If possible, avoid sitting or standing near
the exit door - an attacker can reach in and grab a purse or
jewelry.
- If you are verbally harassed or pickpicketed, IMMEDIATELY
alert the operator of the bus or light rail operator by screaming or
talking loudly. On light rail cars, use the intercom button
next to each door to alert the operator. Alert the light rail
operator if you observe suspicious people or incidents aboard light
rail.
- If you are ever held at knife point or gun point, cooperate with the attacker
- even if it means giving up your valuables. Nothing is more valuable
than your life. Try to get his or her
description and where/when the attack happened, and notify the
authorities in a safe location.
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Security Tips When Driving To or From
a VTA Transit Center
- Make sure to fully lock up your car and activate its
security
system. Do not leave money or valuables in plain sight where
a
robber can break in and steal them.
- When returning to your car at a VTA transit center, have
your
keys ready. If you see anyone suspicious near your car,
immediately alert security at the center itself if possible.
Take
a friend or buddy with you if possible – there's security in numbers.
- Avoid giving people you do not know a ride. You
could be robbed – or worse.
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Reporting a Crime Aboard a VTA Bus
or Light Rail Train
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In trouble on board light rail? Call boxes
next to the doors let you alert the operator in emergencies.
(SVTRU)
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Do you use a cell phone? If you are the victim of a crime or witness a
crime taking place at a VTA bus or light rail stop, or on a VTA bus, IMMEDIATELY
dial 911. Let the operator know the exact location where the
crime occurred, what is occurring, and a complete description of those
involved. If the perpetrators are driving a vehicle, give as
accurate a description of the vehicle as possible. Make
written notes of as much information as possible, you might forget it
later on when you need it. Get as many witnesses as possible
and obtain their contact information as needed. Also, get the
vehicle and driver's information below, as shown in the next section.
If the crime occurred on a VTA bus or light rail train, note
the vehicle number where the crime occurred, as well as the operator's
badge number and the "run number". This information is
important for law enforcement to properly identify the vehicle and
provide assistance as needed.
All light rail trains have the vehicle number
- at the front of each car, on the upper right side above the
destination sign and
- at the front and rear sides of each car, above the window
for the light rail operator, and
- below the operator call boxes next to the doors of all
light rail cars
For VTA buses, the vehicle number is always found at the
outside front of the bus, between the left headlight(s) and the left
front window at the entrance door side. Many VTA buses also
have the vehicle number on the inside front panel of the bus at the
back of the destination sign, either above the farebox or above the
steering wheel.
All VTA bus and light rail operators have their badge number
on the right sleeve of their shirt or jacket, below the VTA logo.
The internal run number is used by VTA management to identify
what bus line or light rail destination the vehicle is going to (or
from), and often from which bus garage it came from.
You can find the "run number" for all VTA buses and light rail
cars is found at the lighted box on the bus dashboard or in the front
window of the first rail car.
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Want
To Prevent Crime On VTA Buses and Light Rail?
Report all crime you witness or are a victim of IMMEDIATELY.
The longer you wait, or by staying silent, the less likely the
assailant will be caught. Failing to report crime produces
more and worse crimes by the same criminals. Whether you are
a victim or witness to crime aboard VTA buses or light rail, get
involved! Only with your involvement can VTA buses
and light rail be safer for everyone to enjoy.
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Who's Responsible For Bus and Light
Rail Security at VTA?
Captain Luther Pugh, Chief of Security, VTA
Protective Services, 3331 N. First Street, San Jose, CA 95134-1906.
(408)321-7153
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