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Leaders must act
to stabilize BART

Re: “BART endures another tough day” (Page B1, Oct. 16).

BART’s recent canceled routes and long delays should be alarming, not just to frequent commuters but also to those who run public transit. Hundreds of thousands of people rely on it daily, and for it to be unreliable would affect a vast majority of their lives. People of all ages ride BART, whether it be students or even senior citizens.

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BART executives and county leaders need to be made accountable. More resources need to be allocated to ensure the safety and consistency of BART, a key part of our infrastructure. If BART continues to be inconsistent, a large part of the population will suffer, potentially putting the public’s opportunities at risk.

Aaron Lee
San Jose

SJSU can’t handle
an enrollment push

San Jose State University is promoting record-breaking enrollment rates for fall 2025; however, current students are the ones paying the price.

Students are already struggling to enroll in classes, secure housing, access financial aid and find proper parking. Despite this, SJSU plans to implement a program to guarantee admission to all eligible seniors from Morgan Hill and Gilroy high schools.

Expanding access to higher education is important, but the university is taking on more than it can support. Class waitlists are filled up, housing is at capacity, and both students and faculty deal with lengthy commutes only to find more trouble looking for parking. Not to forget, advising appointments are difficult to secure in a timely manner.

Offering an increase in admission is great, but realistically, if SJSU does not fix existing problems, then the university’s quality will only continue to decline.

Sanya Shah
San Jose

Bay Area takes stand
against divisive videos

Re: “Bay Area airports not playing Noem’s video” (Page B3, Oct. 15).

I am shocked that Kristi Noem was able to even record her message, as it so clearly violates the Hatch Act.

It is a shame that our government officials are so easily able to abuse the system of power that they set up, and are using it to further their own agendas. I am thankful that the airport officials in our area are not willing to air her message, as it would only cause further division in our country, and nobody needs more of that.

Shreeya Vaidya
San Jose

PG&E rate case looks
like it means bigger bills

Recently, electricity ratepayers received a notice from PG&E about a hearing they are having October 27-28 to discuss their 2027 General Rate Case application. This proposal would result in $1.237 billion revenue increase for 2027 and additional increases of $1.014 billion (2028), $1.075 billion (2029) and $1.143 billion (2030). Thus, electricity rates will continue to increase over the next four years. I remember that Patti Poppe, CEO of PG&E, recently said that rates would actually decrease in the immediate future. What changed? These rate increases will be on top of the 41% increase that ratepayers have already endured over the last three years.

Additional rate increases are unacceptable. PG&E, with the approval of CPUC, is taking advantage of ratepayers to finance its overbuilding of the electricity grid.

Write your state senator and assemblymember and ask them to make sure PG&E keeps its promises and is fully accountable for its expenditures.

Rob Hogue
Menlo Park

San Jose must make
streets safer for women

San Jose is no longer safe for women.

On Saturday night, my friend was followed by a group of men in a car. Later that night, her Uber driver made an inappropriate pass at her as she was trying to make it home.

I cannot walk back to my home safely after dark, nor can I be downtown by myself. In the past few weeks alone, I have been cat-called at least five times.

And just recently, a 60-year-old woman was found dead in her home with obvious signs of trauma.

Women have the right to feel safe in our homes or on the streets. Policing in public spaces needs to increase. Public transport and driving services need to provide a guaranteed safe journey home. The City Council needs to increase campaigns to challenge violent behaviors toward women. Protect our women.

Cariad Norris
San Jose

S.F. deployment would
be expensive mistake

Re: “Trump floats San Francisco as next target for crime crackdown” (Oct. 15).

Do we prioritize housing the homeless or incarcerating them?

The rumored deployment of U.S. troops and federal officials in San Francisco threatens to accelerate the mass incarceration of unhoused individuals. This punitive approach would only be a costly setback for the city.

The solution is not force; it is investment. San Francisco needs funding for affordable housing initiatives and mental health rehabilitation. If the president genuinely sought to support San Francisco’s citizens, he wouldn’t propose using militarized forces against them.

This political posturing risks severe, long-term harm to a vulnerable population.

Chandler Gatihi
Santa Clara