2005: The Debut of a Sunny Light Rail Station in San Jose’s Fruitdale Neighborhood

October 1, 2005

A light rail station in the Fruitdale neighborhood of San Jose, California, made its official debut. This station, which was built near the intersection of Fruitdale Avenue and Southwest Expressway, is a link in the Santa Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) light rail system serving that region of the Golden State. Fruitdale station was one of six stations constructed and opened as part of a 5.3-mile (8.5-kilometer) extension of VTA light rail system’s Green Line.

Fruitdale station is located near both San José City College and Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. The distinguishing features of the station include specially designed metal screens installed at this facility’s shelters. These screens – one of which is displayed in the accompanying photo – were created by San Jose artist Diana Pumpelly Bates for the visual interest of not only train passengers but also pedestrians and motorists making their way past the station. Her designs for each screen depict and reflect the Sun.  

The Green Line of the VTA light rail system encompasses 26 stations and 22.3 miles (35.9 kilometers) altogether. The system in its entirety contains a total of three lines, 60 stations, and 42.2 miles (67.9 kilometers).

Photo Credit: Public Domain

For more information on Fruitdale station, please check out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fruitdale_station

Additional information on the Green Line of the VTA light rail system is available at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Line_(VTA)