VTA Light Rail Delayed Due to Copper Theft

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) strike has ended after a Santa Clara County judge ruled that the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265 violated a 'no strike' clause, ordering workers to return. However, light rail services will not resume until at least Monday due to increased copper wire theft during the strike, which has delayed necessary inspections and repairs on the 42-mile system. The VTA reported a significant rise in thefts, although the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office noted only two reported incidents during the strike period, contradicting claims of a dramatic increase. Bus services are scheduled to restart on Friday, with light rail inspections still underway to ensure safety. The union plans to appeal the court's decision, maintaining that the no-strike clause was not applicable because the contract had expired. Meanwhile, the VTA continues to investigate the copper thefts, which are not a new problem for the agency, having faced similar issues in the past.