Super Bowl Transit Breaks Ridership Record

Moving massive crowds requires planning and preparation. From reaching potential riders on social media to years of advance security planning, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) General Manager and CEO Carolyn Gonot knows “what it takes.”

The San Jose, CA, agency’s light rail and buses broke its ridership record when it carried more than 30,000 passengers to and from Levi’s Stadium for the Super Bowl. The number exceeded expectations, carrying around 5,000 more riders than anticipated. It surpassed the previous ridership record of 23,400, set in 2023 during a Taylor Swift concert.

Service Plan

The agency began planning two years ago when the stadium was named to host the event. The plan built on lessons learned from hosting the Super Bowl ten years prior. It included operating 22 additional light rail trains to carry approximately 450 passengers each directly to the stadium.

To reduce crowding that generally happens before and after a big event, VTA adjusted its service plan. This involved having passengers traveling from different directions arrive and depart from two different stations on opposite sides of the stadium. The plan helped to clear out more than 13,000 departing passengers from light rail platforms in under 90 minutes.

Advance system-wide preparations included track repairs, upgraded ticket machines and information displays, and enhanced station readiness.

Safety and Security

VTA worked with local, state, and federal partners to ensure a coordinated, region-wide security approach. The agency put in place an emergency management plan for large-scale events, supported by extensive training and exercises over the past year. In advance of the event, the agency reported that a dedicated Emergency Operations Center would be activated to monitor conditions, coordinate responses, and share real-time information.

“Super Bowl LX is exciting—even for our own employees, who are football fans too—but our mission is clear: the safety and security of our passengers and employees is the priority,” said Aston T. Greene, VTA chief of System Safety and Security.

Other safety precautions involved readying cybersecurity teams; strengthening early recognition of, reporting of, and response to human trafficking; and increased visible security presence on buses and trains, and at stations.

Reaching Riders

VTA used digital and social media, including bilingual messaging and memes, to encourage the use of public transit to get to the event. On its Facebook page, the agency posted memes from this year’s Grammy awards with halftime performer Bad Bunny and, in a nod to a prior memorable Super Bowl half-time show, a video of a shark riding VTA to get to the game.

VTA also used branded signage to communicate with fans and help them learn about their transit options. Super Bowl LX signs and banners were placed at stations, bus stops, and major transit centers. VTA ambassadors assisted riders throughout the system on game day.

A VTA Super Bowl web page helped those traveling to the event by listing service schedules, fare information, park-and-ride locations, and regional transfer details. The VTA Transit App was recommended for real-time updates, step-by-step planning, and mobile fare purchases.