The fare is half of what the 168 Express cost, with a standard fare of $2.50.

By Robert Airoldi

Robert Airoldi

Commuters to northern Silicon Valley will want to remember: 568.

Expanding transit service to those less connected is the objective of a new transit route VTA introduced in Gilroy Oct. 14.  The Rapid 568 will offer frequent, fast, and reliable service from downtown Gilroy to downtown San Jose — with travel times up to 30 percent faster than the previous options.

This new route replaces the now discontinued 168 Express, which only operated four northbound morning trips, and four southbound evening trips. That schedule limited many VTA customers to taking local Route 68, which has a nearly two-hour end-to-end travel time as it makes stops about every quarter mile. The Rapid 568 makes 19 stops in both directions — including several in Morgan Hill — while Route 68 makes 95.

With a more direct route along Monterey Road and fewer stops, the 568 cuts that travel time down, offering service every half hour from 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays.  The fare is half of what the 168 Express cost, with a standard fare of $2.50.

“The idea for this route came from our passengers, and from South County residents, who told us that it just took too long to take the 68 bus all the way to San Jose,” said VTA General Manager/CEO Carolyn Gonot.

For areas where a big VTA bus running on a fixed route and fixed schedule just isn’t the best solution,  Morgan Hill will launch one of Santa Clara County’s first pilot services next year, which is an on-demand point-to-point service using small vehicles.

Santa Clara County Animal Services announced that with more than two months to spare in 2021 they have now exceeded the number of dogs and cats spayed/neutered in 2020. With 3,208 sterilization surgeries completed as of Oct. 8, they look forward to seeing how many pets they can help by year’s end.

In a press release, the county thanked all the veterinarians, volunteers and staff for the outstanding work in the face of a pandemic and moving into/making operational a brand-new clinic. Animal services staff have a goal to save all animals, even as its capacity is doubling to 8,000 animals. It has been a no-kill shelter since 2013.

County officials celebrated the completion of the $35 million 37,000-square-foot facility at 12425 Monterey Road in San Martin on Feb. 19, after an 18-month construction period that didn’t slow down despite a pandemic and wildfire smoke over the past year.

Robert Crowe

It was sad to hear of the passing of Robert C. Crowe, O.D, at the age of 72. He was my optometrist since I moved to Morgan Hill 25 years ago, and I found him to be friendly, helpful and professional over the years he helped me.

According to his obituary, he died last month at Hazel Hawkins Hospital in Hollister. Those who knew him, from family, friends and associates describe him as a very kind, gentle, intelligent and loving man. He had a heart of gold that showed through his kind words, continual positivity and unwavering support of those he loved.

Multiple generations of families came to see him throughout the 44 years he worked in Morgan Hill. He was a life member and past president of Rotary Club of Morgan Hill.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Marcia, and his eight children, Jessica Wirts (Shawn), Brianne Silva (Ray), Jaimelyn Schaefer (Gregg), Bonnie Crowe, Thomas Crowe (Shannon), Natalie Crowe, Taryn Crowe, and Amanda Crowe, his sister Kathy Nutt and 22 grandchildren, along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a son, Nathan Robert Crowe. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.

My condolences to his family and friends

The Rotary Club of Morgan Hill is once again looking to team up with and offer financial support to other local nonprofit organizations that are working to make the Morgan Hill community a better place.

During the years, the service club through its annual Community Grant and Hearts of Rotary programs, has provided financial support to local nonprofit organizations that operate free clinics, distribute food to those in need, help purchase school supplies, teach children the fun and appreciation of art, provide musical concerts to elder care facilities, educate the community about and rehabilitate endangered wildlife, and provide our community Fourth of July festivities.

For more information about the Rotary Club of Morgan Hill’s Community Grant and Hearts of Rotary programs, please visit www.MorganHillRotary.org.