ACTransit or Bart from Fremont, CA to PGA?

Question

Okay so my friends and I are planning to take either the bus or bart to go to Great America. We live in Fremont, California. We dont know which bus number or route to take, and same goes wtih the bart. Could you tell me which busses or bart numbers to take? & do you think the bus or bart would be the safest for teenagers to take, becuase we really dont wanna run into anything that is gonna put us in danger or anything.

Answer 1

Ohh dont worry.  This is a pretty easy one.  =)

No need to take BART because BART is southernmost stop anyways already.  But, you do need to get to Fremont BART station though.

Lets assume you get a ride to Fremont BART station or otherwise you can take AC transit from anywhere in Fremont.

So from Fremont BART station, in the morning, take VTA bus 140 which leaves at 8:40am and it will get you directly to Great America light rail station at 9:22am.  (Great America light rail station is across the street from Great America) If you miss this bus, there is no more direct service to Great America.  This is the best because it will get you there before Great America opens at 10am.  

*Note* VTA bus 140 only runs during weekdays.

Otherwise, take VTA bus 180 and get off at Great Mall.  After you get off walk towards where theres some stairs that will take you to the elevated VTA light rail station.  

At the VTA light rail station,  board the light rail train with the destination sign that says (SANTA TERESA).

Get off at Tasman Station and wait for the "MOUNTAIN VIEW" bound light rail on the other side of the platform where you just got off.

Get off at Great America Station and Great America is just across the street!!

Going back home is the same way.  From Great America station, take the light rail with the destination sign that says "WINCHESTER".  Get off at Tasman Station and wait for the light rail that says "ALUM ROCK" on the other side of the platform.  Get off at Great Mall Station and walk down some stairs and wait for VTA bus 180 which will take you back to Fremont BART.

On weekdays, the last VTA bus 180 back to Fremont BART is 11:26pm and on Saturdays/Sundays/Holidays is 11:27pm.  Which means... you must be at Tasman Station by 10:50pm to get to Great Mall at 11:00pm.  And to get to Tasman Station on time, you must be at Great America Station by 10:41pm.  The times for the light rail are the same 7 days a week.  I just checked.  So make sure no matter what, get to Great America Station by 10:41pm or else no more getting back to Fremont BART.

This is the most direct way to Great America.  Be careful at Fremont BART not to take VTA bus 181 because this skips Great Mall.  I would say the whole trip is pretty safe, even for teenagers.  I'm a college student and I never get bothered by anyone.  Sometimes there might be shady looking people at night at Fremont BART station and at Great Mall but thats about it.  They usually dont bother anyone and just mind their own business.  VTA buses and light rail are very safe especially during the daytime.  At night time, there are less people at the stations and on the light rail and VTA buses so its actually even safer but you just feel kinda empty.  Like for example, the 180 bus which leaves Great Mall at 11:26pm, I ride it occasionally and theres always no more than 5 people on the bus.  

Hope this helps!  Have a fun trip!

The times I posted here are valid as of 7/21/2008.

Answer 2

Go to www.google.com/transit and put in your address and "Paramount Great America" and it will tell you the routes to take.  

You won't be able to use BART.  You'll have to take Santa Clara VTA bus.