BART accuses VTA of violating partnership, lack of transparency over the San Jose BART extension

"In 2001, as transit officials eyed the rail line's expansion into Santa Clara County, the two agencies struck an agreement VTA would take the lead and assume full financial responsibility, while BART would bring its expertise, as it had already built a 95-mile, 39-station regional system. The agreement also required VTA to alert BART of any changes to the scope or funding of the project and get its approval."

"Edwards alleged that VTA failed to alert BART before sending out a press release on Aug. 11 about a cost analysis of an alternative tunnel design for the six-mile, four station project, which will run from the Berryessa Transit Center in North San Jose, through downtown and to Santa Clara. Edwards also said the agency was concerned about the lack of advance discussion on the significantly scaled-down version of the rail yard that was presented at an Aug. 14 meeting."

BART officials say VTA failed to provide prior notice of two recent developments: an Aug. 11 press release on a cost analysis of an alternative tunnel design and a scaled-down Newhall Yard unveiled Aug. 14. The six-mile, four-station extension runs from Berryessa Transit Center through downtown to Santa Clara. A 2001 agreement assigned VTA financial responsibility while requiring VTA to notify and obtain BART approval for scope or funding changes. The project faces an estimated $1 billion funding gap. Alleged breaches of protocol have undermined trust and prompted calls for leadership changes on the project.

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