SFMTA Muni is “standing in solidarity and service” with their San Jose colleagues.
The Bay Area was rocked by a mass shooting near downtown San Jose on the morning of May 26, when a VTA employee shot and killed 8 people and then himself at a VTA maintenance yard. A 9th victim died later at the hospital. Thousands of people showed up at San Jose City Hall the following day for a public vigil, which honored each of the 9 victims.
This month brings funerals and memorial services for Abdolvahab Alaghmandan, 63; Adrian Balleza, 29; Alex Ward Fritch, 49; Jose Dejesus Hernandez III, 35; Lars Kepler Lane, 63; Paul Delacruz Megia, 42; Timothy Michael Romo, 49; Michael Joseph Rudometkin, 40; and Taptejdeep Singh, 36.
As employees work to continue servicing San Jose while grieving their fallen colleagues, several local transportation agencies have sent personnel to the area. They are covering routes throughout the month of June so that VTA employees may attend the funerals of their lost coworkers and take time for themselves to process this event.
Muni buses and operators helping VTA in San Jose. They’ll be down there at least until the end of June and likely a little bit into July. You can find them Monday to Friday, and today. #TransitStandsTogether pic.twitter.com/gVYH8mUvbb
— Alexander (@sashazandr) June 5, 2021
Standing in solidarity and service 🤍#VTAstrong https://t.co/5yT5nF4qZM
— SFMTA (@sfmta_muni) June 6, 2021
Other nearby transportation agencies have also sent personnel into San Jose, including Santa Cruz Metro, AC Transit, SamTrans, and more. If you spend time in San Jose, you may see a number of unfamiliar buses running routes in the area as they provide aid during this month.
Santa @CruzMetro another #mutualAid hero. Thank you for your help at this difficult time. You’re part of the #VTAfamily. #gratitude pic.twitter.com/VYZYA8Ny81
— VTA (@VTA) June 4, 2021
Our #MutualAid heroes helping out on Santa Clara County streets. @rideact @SamTrans @CruzMetro #ThankYou pic.twitter.com/Fs7WNgMZKm
— VTA (@VTA) June 4, 2021
Don’t be surprised if you continue seeing our buses in the South Bay area! We are proudly continuing to help our neighbors in Santa Clara by covering some of @VTA route 22 trips. https://t.co/ooaSsm3fao pic.twitter.com/DqsOl4PvfB
— SamTrans (@SamTrans) June 4, 2021
VTA also emblazoned 9 of its buses with special #VTAFamily messaging in memory of their 9 fallen coworkers.
Paying tribute to our 9 fallen workers with 9 of these specially emblazoned buses. #RestInPeace #VTAfamily pic.twitter.com/xs8tcZjoBg
— VTA (@VTA) June 3, 2021
If you’d like to help support the victims’ families in the aftermath of this tragedy, consider making a donation to this fund at Working Partnerships USA, a Silicon Valley-based social services organization.
Featured image: @sashazandr via Twitter