A public rideshare program will now provide more connectivity throughout Santa Clara.
SV Hopper, an electric-shuttle program that runs through Santa Clara and Cupertino, launched its expanded service, which now includes Santa Clara’s north side, on July 1. The two cities held a ribbon-cutting July 16 at Great America Station, 5099 Stars and Stripes Drive, in Santa Clara.
“Today we’re not just celebrating the expansion of a transportation service; we’re celebrating greater access, stronger regional connections, and more transportation choices for everyone who lives, works, studies and visits Santa Clara,” Mayor Lisa Gillmor said at the ribbon-cutting.
Riders pay $3.50 per ride; students, seniors, disabled or indigent riders only pay $1.75.
The shuttle goes to one of 14 locations that include popular destinations like the Santa Clara Senior Center, Mission College, Rivermark Plaza and Santa Clara Square as well as transit hubs, such as Valley Transit Authority (VTA) and CalTrain stations.
Matthew Schrader, Cupertino’s senior transportation planner, said SV Hopper had 103,000 rides last year.
Via Transportation, a New York-based software-as-a-service company, operates SV Hopper.
In June 2023, the city approved the funding agreement with Cupertino, which committed $4.13 million of city money to the four-year program. State grant money paid for nearly half of the $16.9 million, with Cupertino covering 58% and Santa Clara paying 42% of the remaining cost with local money.
The first term sunsets in August 2027. The expansion will shift Santa Clara’s share to 61% of the locally funded portion.
Janine De la Vega, the city’s public information officer, wrote in an email that the city is working on an extension to coincide with the end of the funding cycle in November 2027. SV Hopper operates as a pilot program that is dependent on state grant money.
The city’s share to fund the project through 2026-27 is $1.77 million, according to the city’s annual SV Hopper report from 2023-24.
A partnership with Cupertino, De la Vega wrote, has allowed the city to secure $1.38 million in additional grant money.
In addition to ridership trends, the city outlines four key performance indicators (KPIs): monthly ridership, use, average wait times and rider satisfaction.
Although SV Hopper has demonstrated “strong ridership and regional value,” De la Vega wrote that its long-term fate will depend on securing a sustainable mix of funding sources as well as evaluating its effectiveness and community support.
Along with the expansion, the service fleet increased from 13 vehicles to 16 vehicles. However, some vehicles may be unavailable during off-peak hours.
“Generally, our system is designed to put out supplies so [there are] drivers on the road when we know that there is going to be demand to match it,” said Alexia Melendez Marchano, with Via Transportation, at the ribbon-cutting. “So, our process is very proactive.”
The rideshare also plays into the city’s goal of reducing the number of single-occupancy vehicles on the streets.
Through 2024, 33% of passengers shared a ride, according to the report.
“The service groups riders traveling in the same general area, reducing the number of single-occupancy vehicle trips,” De la Vega wrote. “By decreasing vehicle travel with all-electric rides, the service helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and supports the goals of the city’s climate action plan.”
Passenger feedback has also been largely positive, with 95% of passengers rating the service five-out-of-five stars.
Contact David Alexander at d.todd.alexander@gmail.com
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