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BART and VTA Joint Statement of Commitment


As we look forward to the New Year and the beginning of BART service in Santa Clara County, we wish to reinforce and confirm our organizations’ mutual commitment to successfully transition from the construction to the operational phase of the BART Extension to Silicon Valley.


Our organizations have worked cooperatively and diligently to deliver on the promise of BART service to Santa Clara County. The construction of ten miles and two stations of new BART service is essentially complete. In order to ensure that service is delivered in keeping with a careful view toward safety and reliability as well as the timely delivery on the promise of service our organizations have made to the public, we commit our organizations to the following:


• Both organizations will adhere to best practices in safety as defined by well-established industry standards.


• All remaining VTA activities and the plan for completion of Phase 2 Testing will be rigorously followed formally accepted and appropriately documented by the approving authority at BART and VTA.


• The BART plan for Phase 3 Testing will be rigorously followed, formally accepted and appropriately documented by the approving authority at BART and VTA.


• During the completion of the systems work and opening of the extension for passenger service, any new non-safety related changes will be deferred until after the start of passenger service.


Our organizations are dedicated to delivering passenger service in the safest, most effective manner. We are committed to the important regional goals of more transit service, less greenhouse gas emissions and growing the economic vitality of the region.

[signed]

Bevan Dufty                                                                              Teresa O'Neill

President                                                                                   Chair

BART                                                                                          VTA