VTA Upgrades Parking System at Key Transit Hubs
VTA replaces pay-by-plate with kiosk parking at Milpitas and Berryessa stations August 28
VTA Switches to Kiosk Parking at Two Stations
Riders who park at VTA's Milpitas and Berryessa Transit Centers will need to use pay-and-display kiosks starting August 28, transit officials said. The agency's switching from its current pay-by-plate system to kiosks that require drivers to display receipts on their dashboards. Daily parking costs $5 at both locations, and the kiosks accept credit cards, debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay and cash.
Context
The payment system change affects two of VTA's busiest transit hubs in Santa Clara County, both of which opened in 2020 as part of the BART extension into Silicon Valley. ACE Parking, VTA's lot operator, will install new signage throughout the surface lots to guide drivers through the kiosk payment process. The shift to pay-and-display systems aligns with practices used by other Bay Area transit agencies, including BART, which uses similar kiosks at most stations with parking facilities. Officials haven't disclosed how many parking spaces are available at each location or how many kiosks will be installed.
Implementation Details
Starting August 28, drivers will pay at kiosks before returning to their vehicles and must place the printed receipt on their dashboard where it's visible from outside. The new system replaces the pay-by-plate method, which didn't require dashboard displays. VTA hasn't released cost information for the parking system upgrade. Transit agencies typically transition to kiosk-based systems to improve enforcement and streamline operations, though officials didn't specify whether those factors drove VTA's decision.
Timeline
VTA announced the changes August 11, giving commuters about two and a half weeks to prepare for the new payment process. ACE Parking will complete signage installation before the August 28 launch date. Officials haven't said whether they'll provide on-site staff to help drivers adjust to the new kiosks during the initial transition period.
Rider Impact
Regular commuters should allow extra time for their first few visits to locate kiosks and complete the payment process. Drivers who forget to display receipts may face citations from parking enforcement. Moovit provides real-time transit information for VTA light rail and bus routes serving both transit centers, helping riders plan connections after they park.
