BLOG EXCLUSIVE: Taking Transit to Luke Combs Concert at Levi's Stadium

Many people are aware that country music star Luke Combs, who was born and raised in North Carolina, is coming only to Santa Clara County for one reason: a major gig at Levi's Stadium for a concert. San Jose-based KBAY radio (Bay Country) might be proud to see it happen, and there is only a 10% chance that radio personalities Emily Harlan and Danny Miller (the latter who also does the PA for the San Francisco 49ers, San Jose Earthquakes, and San Jose Sharks) might be tabiling the event. While Bay Country radio might be debating on whether or not they will be setting up a table in the parking lot outside Levi's Stadium, I can tell my viewers that in my more than a decade of experience of taking transit to the big events, I can see first hand that parking is almost filled to capacity in the time I have arrived at the scene, whether in San Jose, Oakland, or San Francisco. Having said that, let's talk about what to expect for transit.

If your plans call for parking directly at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara for the Luke Combs concert, I would strongly not recommend doing that. Just like the Taylor Swift concert last year, parking will be at a premium at Levi's Stadium just like being at a typical San Francisco 49ers home game. To avoid all of that temptation of being stuck in traffic, your best bet is relying on VTA Light Rail and bus services to get to the scene via any park and ride lot operated by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA). Please keep in mind that the Milpitas and Berryessa BART stations (owned/operated by VTA), as well as the Caltrain station in Mountain View, are subjected to a small parking fee, and thus are advised to check their respective websites for further information. 

There are five routes (2 on light rail via Green/Orange lines and 3 on bus routes 55/57/59) that directly serve Levi's Stadium every day of the week including holidays. Out of those five routes, VTA's Orange light rail line is the only one that connects with both Caltrain and BART; the Orange line (and a few special event Blue line trains) will likely be running 3-car trains all day. Great America Station along VTA's Orange/Green lines is the only light rail station that is the closest (and the "front door") to Levi's Stadium. Of course, VTA will have ambassadors stationed at key points along the light rail system to help riders get to the scene.

All passengers who normally board Caltrain (in San Francisco or San Mateo counties) or BART (in Alameda or Contra Costa Counties) will need to get used to the rules and regulations on VTA light rail. Caltrain passengers must transfer to VTA light rail at Mountain View, while BART passengers must transfer at Milpitas. Caltrain does have a "proof of payment" system in place along their system; but often neglects to mention about the "proof of payment" system also in place when on VTA light rail. Regular fares and parking policies do apply including any applicable fees. 

Whether it's digital or physical version, Clipper Card is strongly advised for travel, especially when interchanging multiple transit agencies. For BART, while Clipper card is the sole source of travel within the BART system (since 2023), that same Clipper card must also be used on VTA. Riders must "tag off" at Milpitas before following the signs and tagging their Clipper card on a Clipper reader bearing the VTA logo. Caltrain riders must "tag off" at a Clipper reader bearing the Caltrain logo before tagging their Clipper card on another reader bearing the VTA logo and crossing the tracks to VTA's light rail platform at Mountain View station. While the Clipper readers are the same throughout the Bay Area, Clipper readers designated for different transit agencies are not the same. 

PLEASE NOTE THAT BART AND CALTRAIN DOES NOT MAKE REGULAR AND/OR "AUTOMATED" ANNOUNCEMENTS REGARDING TRANSFERS TO VTA LIGHT RAIL ORANGE LINE, ESPECIALLY FOR SPECIAL EVENTS. I even have heard this from my many rides on both Caltrain and BART. While BART does make "automated" announcements for next stops, there is no regular announcements for VTA light rail transfers when the next station is Milpitas. Caltrain has no automated announcements within their system and only mentions "your VTA light rail connection" when the next station is Mountain View and often fails to disclose that VTA light rail also has similar functionalities to Caltrain's "proof of payment" system. 

ALL BART AND CALTRAIN RIDERS ARE REMINDED THAT VTA LIGHT RAIL OPERATES ON A "PROOF OF PAYMENT" SYSTEM. Fare inspectors may board the train at any time and functions similar to that of Caltrain, but unlike Caltrain, VTA light rail is not a zone-based system. Passengers must show proof that they have paid their fare, whether they purchased a ticket or tagged their Clipper card at a reader bearing the VTA logo near the reader. If any passenger fails to show their proof, that passenger may be subject to a fine of up to $250. 

When the event does come and the urge from VTA officials to ask Luke Combs concertgoers in the Bay Area to take transit just like the Taylor Swift concert last year, I hope the people will try and heed their call.