Press Releases

Santa Cruz METRO Hosts Stuff the Bus Food Drive

Santa Cruz, CA (Tuesday, November 19, 2024) – The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) is excited to announce its holiday Stuff the Bus Food Drive. The event will take place on December 5th from 1PM to 7PM, with a METRO bus parked in front of Woodstock's Pizza at 710 Front Street, Santa Cruz, CA... [read more]

ParaCruz, METRO’s Paratransit Service, Celebrates 20 Years of Unwavering Commitment to Accessibility

Santa Cruz, CA (Monday, November 11, 2024): The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) is proud to announce the celebration of its ADA Paratransit Service, ParaCruz’s, 20th anniversary. For two decades, ParaCruz has been dedicated to providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation to individuals with disabilities, ensuring equal access to public transit for all... [read more]

Santa Cruz METRO Offers Free Fares on California Clean Air Day

Santa Cruz, CA (Thursday, September 19, 2024): To address community health concerns related to air quality, Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) has once again pledged to participate in California Clean Air Day by offering free fares countywide, including trips on the Highway-17 Express and ParaCruz, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024... [read more]

METRO’s “One Ride at a Time” Named Public Outreach Program of the Year

Santa Cruz, CA (June 14, 2024): Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District’s (METRO) One Ride at a Time (ORAT) campaign has been named Public Outreach Program of the Year by the California Transportation Foundation (CTF). Recognized at CTF’s annual Transportation Awards gala in Sacramento last night, the award celebrates ORAT – METRO’s campaign showcasing the environmental benefits of transit – for its innovative approach to encouraging bus ridership and promoting local conservation efforts... [read more]

METRO Announces Reimagine METRO Summer Service

Santa Cruz, CA (June 12, 2024): Summer Service Enhances Connectivity and Sustainability in Santa Cruz County. Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) is excited to announce the launch of its Reimagine METRO summer service changes, aimed at revolutionizing the public transit experience for the community. The upcoming summer service improvements, in effect on June 20th, promise increased frequency, revamped transit center operations, updated routes and extended services to better cater to the diverse needs of riders across Santa Cruz County... [read more]

METRO Offers Free Fares to Big Basin’s Art in the Park Event

Santa Cruz, CA (June 6, 2024): Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) will be offering free fares on Route 35B to Big Basin State Park on Saturday, June 15th for their annual Art in the Park summer event. The event will run from 10AM to 2PM, where attendees can view art of all kinds inspired by Big Basin’s recovery and created by the 17 Art About artists as well as purchase lunch from onsite food trucks... [read more]

METRO Celebrates the Remarkable Success of Reimagine METRO Phase 1

Santa Cruz, CA (May 22, 2024): A Transformation in Santa Cruz County Transit has Boosted Ridership by over 23%. Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) is thrilled to announce the remarkable success of Reimagine METRO Phase 1, reflecting a significant increase in ridership and productivity across various segments of the community. This success is a direct result of the service changes and improvements that were... [read more]

METRO’s “One Ride at a Time” Wins Award for Most Innovative Communications Campaign

METRO’s “One Ride at a Time” Earns Top Honors in International Creative Competition

Santa Cruz METRO Supports Earth Day with Free Fares Countywide

Santa Cruz Metro Welcomes Corey Aldridge as New CEO

METRO’s Youth Cruz Free Program Wins Transit Industry’s Top Marketing Award
With a 400% increase in youth ridership, METRO will extend free youth rides through December

Santa Cruz, CA (Feb. 27, 2024):At the American Public Transit Association’s (APTA) annual marketing conference that took place mid-February, the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) took home top honors for its hugely successful promotion of Youth Cruz Free, the agency’s program that provides free rides to K-12 students in Santa Cruz County. Originally conceived as a one-year pilot, METRO is now extending Youth Cruz Free through December, 31 2024 after the agency saw a 400% increase in youth ridership since the program began in March 2023... [read more]

Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) Joins METRO’s ‘One Ride at a Time'
New bus features deep-sea animals photographed by MBARI

Santa Cruz, CA (Feb. 21, 2024): The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) and Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) are pleased to announce their collaboration on One Ride at a Time, METRO’s acclaimed environmental awareness campaign. Stunning images of some of the remarkable animals that MBARI has encountered in the depths of Monterey Bay grace the latest wildlife bus to join METRO’s fleet. The goal of One Ride at a Time is to showcase the environmental benefits of transit, encourage bus ridership, and protect Santa Cruz County’s extraordinary natural resources, including the unique and fragile deep-sea ecosystem just offshore... [read more]

METRO Rolls Out New 'One Ride at a Time' Wildlife Buses in 2024
Photographer Kevin Lohman Joins Agency’s Conservation Campaign

Santa Cruz, CA (Feb. 1, 2024): With the start of the New Year, Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) has unveiled more wildlife buses as part of One Ride at a Time, its acclaimed campaign to showcase the environmental benefits of transit, encourage bus ridership, and protect Santa Cruz County’s extraordinary natural resources. The new buses join the 22 photo-wrapped buses already carrying passengers throughout the region... [read more]

METRO Pacific Station to Close for Redevelopment
Transit operations and customer service to move to temporary River Front Transit Center on Monday, Feb. 12th.
METRO Offers Free Fares Feb. 8th – 25th

Santa Cruz, CA (January 30, 2024): The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) announced today that its METRO Pacific Station complex, located at 920 Pacific Ave., will close for demolition and redevelopment. On Thursday, February 8th METRO’s Customer Service booth and ticket sales at Pacific Station will close to the public, and the lobby and public restroom will remain open until end of day Sunday, Feb. 11th. On Monday, Feb. 12th, METRO will move transit operations to its temporary River Front Transit Center utilizing curbside space on Soquel Ave., Front St, River St. and River St. South to create three new bus stops (Areas 1, 2, 3) and create multiple bus layover spaces. METRO’s Customer Service booth and ticket sales will also open on Feb. 12th to the new Customer Experience Center located at 603 Front St. in Santa Cruz... [read more]

Santa Cruz MeETRO Announces Departure of CEO/General Manager Michael Tree

Santa Cruz, CA (Friday, January 19, 2024): The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) thanks CEO/General Manager Michael Tree for his service and commitment to METRO amidst the announcement of Tree’s retirement. Tree oined METRO in April 2022 and, after almost two years of service, will be retiring from the agency on Feb. 16, due to unexpected personal reasons... [read more]

METRO Awarded $2,000,000 to Convert Watsonville Transit Center into Affordable Housing

Santa Cruz, CA (Dec. 21, 2023): The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) has been awarded $2,000,000 from the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments’ (AMBAG) Regional Early Action Planning Grants of 2021 (REAP 2.0) Regional Competitive Grant Program (RCGP). The funds will be used to redevelop METRO’s Watsonville Transit Center into an affordable, transit-oriented housing development... [read more]

Reimagine METRO Service Changes Begin Dec.21. METRO to offer free fares on all busses from (Dec. 21-Jan. 4)

Santa Cruz, CA (Dec. 14, 2023): Waves of change are coming to the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO). Beginning Thursday, Dec. 21, METRO will implement major bus service improvements as part of Reimagine METRO, a systemwide service restructuring effort whose goals are to increase service, adapt to post-Covid travel patterns, and create a more useful and attractive transit network... [read more]

SANTA CRUZ METRO ROLLS OUT PLANS AND PATH TO FUNDING FOR TRANSFORMATIONAL SERVICE CHANGES Ridership to double with “Wave Service” initiative that provides 15-minute frequency between buses, adds direct routes and returns popular express route between Watsonville and Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, CA (Nov, 15, 2023): Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) today announced plans to roll out its new three-year initiative, known as Wave Service, which is envisioned to transform transit in Santa Cruz County. The Wave Service initiative is the result of a comprehensive community engagement process conducted in 2022 and 2023. Wave Service will be rolled out in two phases, with the first phase beginning in December 2023 and the second in 2024. At full implementation, systemwide ridership is anticipated to double to 7 million rides per year.... [read more]

METRO Applauds “Green” Benefits from California’s Regional Hydrogen Hub U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Grant could support “green” hydrogen-powered buses for Santa Cruz County

Santa Cruz, CA (Oct. 20, 2023): The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) celebrates the selection of the Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES), a statewide hydrogen hub initiative in California, as a key recipient of funding from the DOE’s Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program. Last week, the DOE announced that ARCHES has been awarded $1.2 billion. As part of the ARCHES team, METRO, and the Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) aim to deploy “green” hydrogen-powered, fuel-cell electric buses (FCEBs) in Santa Cruz County.... [read more]

METRO Wins More than $500,000 in Grant Funds to Improve Bus Stops. Clean CA Program award will help METRO install new bus shelters, benches and trash cans

Santa Cruz, CA (Oct. 11, 2023): – The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) has been awarded $508,059 from the Clean CA Program for its Bus Stop Improvement Project. The funds will be used to install 23 bus shelters, 23 bus benches, and 18 trash cans at bus stops across METRO’s service area.... [read more]

METRO Board Approves Major Bus Service Improvements for December Rollout.Reimagine METRO Phase II changes to go to the Board later this year

Santa Cruz, CA (Sept. 27, 2023): – The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) Board of Directors unanimously approved a package of significant bus service improvements at its meeting on Friday, Sept.22. The changes, which will go into effect in December, at the start of METRO’s winter schedule, are the first phase of a system-wide restructuring effort known as Reimagine METRO.... [read more]

METRO to Purchase 57 Zero-Emissions, Fuel Cell Electric Buses. Procurement will be largest hydrogen bus acquisition in U.S.

Santa Cruz, CA (Sept. 22, 2023): – Today Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District’s (METRO) Board of Directors unanimously approved the purchase of 57 hydrogen-powered, fuel cell electric buses (FCEBs). This procurement will be the largest acquisition of FCEBs in North American history. The move exemplifies METRO’s commitment to environmental stewardship, innovation, and a greener future.... [read more]

Santa Cruz METRO Offers Free Fares on California Clean Air Day Wednesday, October 4th

Santa Cruz, CA (Wednesday, September 20, 2023): – To address community health concerns related to air quality, Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) has once again pledged to participate in California Clean Air Day by offering free fares countywide, including trips on the Highway-17 Express and ParaCruz, on Wednesday, October 4, 2023... [read more]

METRO Expands 'One Ride at a Time' with Striking New Wildlife Busses. Photographer Jodi Frediani Joins Agency's Conservation Campaign

Santa Cruz, CA (September 7, 2023): Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) has unveiled a new wildlife bus as part of One Ride at a Time, its acclaimed campaign to showcase the environmental benefits of transit, encourage bus ridership and protect Santa Cruz County’s extraordinary natural resources. The new bus joins the 15 photo-wrapped buses already carrying passengers throughout the region... [read more]

Santa Cruz METRO Announces Free Fares to the Santa Cruz County Fair September 13-17, 2023

Santa Cruz, CA (Friday, September 1, 2023): The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) announces free fares on both fixed-route and ParaCruz services to the Santa Cruz County fair hosted at the Watsonville Fairgrounds, September 13-17th... [read more]

Santa Cruz METRO Invites Public to a Virtual Public Meeting to Preview Possible Network Changes

Santa Cruz, Calif. (Wednesday, July 12, 2023): Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) is in the midst of REIMAGINE METRO, a project to review its entire network of transit routes and consider significant changes to where and how often the bus comes... [read more]

Santa Cruz METRO Announces FTA Funding to Support Zero-Emissions Master Plan. Representatives Lofgren and Panetta speak at media event

Santa Cruz, Calif.(July 3, 2023): The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) today announced it has been awarded $20,381,950 in FY23 Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Bus and Low- and No-Emission Grant Award, with METRO funding the required local match of $3,690,050, to buy fuel cell electric buses to replace older diesel and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses, and develop a workforce training plan. The funding announcement was made this morning at the Watsonville Transit Center. United States Representatives Jimmy Panetta and Zoe Lofgren both spoke at the event... [read more]

California State Parks and Santa Cruz METRO offer an Eco-Friendly Way to Visit Big Basin Redwoods State Park this Summer

Santa Cruz, Calif.:California State Parks and Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) today announced a convenient and sustainable transportation option to access Big Basin Redwoods State Park. On weekends this summer through September 10, the public cantake METRO’s Route 35 to explore California’s oldest state park... [read more]

Santa Cruz METRO Announces $38.6M State Funding Award to Support Transit and Affordable Housing Projects

Santa Cruz, Calif. (April 24, 2023): Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) today announced it has been awarded more than $30 million in state funding to purchase zero-emission hydrogen powered buses and associated fueling infrastructure to expand service frequency on Highways 1 and 17, as well as to redevelop METRO's Watsonville Transit Center and Pacific Station in downtown Santa Cruz to include mixed-used and 180 affordable housing units... [read more]

Santa Cruz METRO Supports Earth Day with Free Fares Countywide Saturday, April 22, 2023

Santa Cruz, Calif. (April 14, 2023): The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) is supporting Earth Day, by offering free fares countywide on all fixed-route, ParaCruz, and Highway 17 Express services on Saturday, April 22, 2023... [read more]

METRO Celebrates Launch of ‘One Ride at a Time’ with Special Public Event

Santa Cruz, CA. (April 7, 2023): Santa Cruz County transportation, environmental and civic leaders gathered on March 29, 2023, to launch METRO’s One Ride at a Time (ORAT) campaign to the community, an innovative campaign to showcase the environmental benefits of transit, encourage bus ridership and protect Santa Cruz County’s extraordinary natural resources with every logged ride on a METRO bus donating to program partners in protecting the environment, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and the Bay of Life Fund... [read more]

METRO Delivers Assistance to Evacuees During and After Flooding; Employees help fellow Employees Impacted by Flood

MARCH 22, 2023 — SANTA CRUZ, CA — Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District(METRO) today shared updates on support for flood evacuees at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, including free ride passes, route adjustments and more. The METRO employee family has also been impacted by flooding that began Mar. 11, with employees rallying to support each other and the community... [read more]

METRO Celebrates Launch of 'One Ride at a Time' with Special Public Event

>MARCH 22, 2023 — SANTA CRUZ, CA — S Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) invites the public to a special event to celebrate the launch of One Ride at a Time, an exciting program that gives everyone in Santa Cruz County an opportunity to protect the region’s extraordinary environmental resources just by riding the bus... [read more]

METRO Announces Spring 2023 Service Schedule

MARCH 15, 2023 — SANTA CRUZ, CA — Santa Cruz METRO today announced its spring 2023 service schedule, running March 16 th through June 7th . Key adjustments have been made to the spring schedule based on customer feedback, including reinstatement of Watsonville and Highway 17 Express routes... [read more]

Metro Welcomes New Board Chair and Vice Chair

MARCH 7, 2023 — SANTA CRUZ, CA — Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District(METRO) today announced its Board of Directors has appointed Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson as Board Chair and Kristen Brown as Vice Chair at its February 24th board meeting. Both positions serve one-year terms... [read more]

$30 million grant win funds METRO’s bus-on-shoulder plan and purchase of zero-emission buses

JAN. 30, 2023 —SANTA CRUZ, CA— Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) announces that $30 million in new funding has been awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation from the 2022 Multimodal Projects Discretionary Grant to fund plans for a new bus-on-shoulder lane on Highway 1 from Freedom Blvd. to State Park Dr., as well as to purchase four zero-emission buses... [read more]

METRO launches countywide Youth Ride Free pilot program

JAN. 27, 2023 —SANTA CRUZ, CA— Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) today announced its Board of Directors has approved METRO’s first-ever Youth Ride Free pilot program, which will launch March 1, 2023, and will be available throughout Santa Cruz County... [read more]

Santa Cruz METRO to offer free fares Feb. 4 countywide on fixed-routes and ParaCruz in support of Transit Equity Week

JAN. 26, 2023 —SANTA CRUZ, CA— Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) announces it will offer free fares countywide on fixed-routes, Hwy-17 and ParaCruz services all day Saturday, Feb. 4, in recognition of Transit Equity Week, a national coalition movement celebrated to commemorate the life and legacy of Rosa Parks on her birthday... [read more]

METRO Launches ‘One Ride at a Time’ to Grow Ridership, Protect Environment

Santa Cruz, CA (Jan. 13, 2023) - Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) is delighted to launch One Ride at a Time, an innovative campaign to showcase the environmental benefits of transit, encourage bus ridership and protect Santa Cruz County’s extraordinary natural resources... [read more]

Santa Cruz METRO Offers Free Fares on California Clean Air Day Wednesday, October 5, 2022

Santa Cruz, CA (Wednesday, September 28, 2022) – To address community health concerns related to air quality, Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO), in partnership with Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce, has once again pledged to participate in California Clean Air Day by offering free fares countywide, including trips on the Highway- 17 Express and ParaCruz, on Wednesday, October 5, 2022... [read more]

Santa Cruz METRO Opens Recruitment for Bus Operators (Drivers) New Recruitment Incentives Include an Increase in Starting Salary & Hiring Bonus

Santa Cruz, CA (Friday, September 9, 2022) - The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) announced today that the agency will be opening Bus Operator (Driver) recruitment, September 12 – October 16th, for new applicants. This new recruitment includes a variety of new incentives, that were launched in Summer 2022, to attract qualified Bus Operator candidates... [read more]

Santa Cruz METRO Announces Free Fares to the Santa Cruz County Fair September 14 -18, 2022

Santa Cruz, CA (Thursday, September 8, 2022) - The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) announces free fares on both fixed-route and ParaCruz services to the Santa Cruz County Fair September 14 – 18 th at the Watsonville Fairgrounds... [read more]

Santa Cruz METRO Announces Free Fares for the First Two Weeks of the Fall Schedule

Santa Cruz, CA (Thursday, September 7, 2022) - The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) announces free fares countywide for the first two weeks of the fall schedule. Free fares will be offered September 15 – 29 th on all services including Highway 17 and ParaCruz. Service to the County Fair will be free during this time, but only the 79F will offer free service to the fairgrounds on September 14 th ... [read more]

Attention Beachgoers: Head to Santa Cruz and Save Money on the New Highway 17 Beach Express Service

Santa Cruz, CA (Wednesday, August 17, 2022) - Santa Cruz METRO today announced the launch of the Highway 17 Beach Express, providing weekend Highway 17 Express service to the Santa Cruz Wharf and Main Beach from San Jose Diridon Station... [read more]

Santa Cruz METRO Launches New Recruitment Incentives to Attract Bus Operator Applicants Including an Increase in Starting Salary & Hiring Bonus

Santa Cruz, CA (Wednesday, July 6, 2022) - The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) is introducing a variety of new incentives to attract qualified Bus Operators in the agency’s latest recruitment, which opened June 13th and runs until July 13th... [read more]

Santa Cruz METRO Offers Free Fares on Dump the Pump Day

Santa Cruz, CA (Wednesday, June 8, 2022) - The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) is supporting the 17 th Annual Dump the Pump Day by offering free fares countywide on Thursday, June 16th... [read more]

Santa Cruz METRO Votes to Support the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency (PRFMA) Benefit Assessment for Levee Operations and Maintenance

Santa Cruz, CA (Friday, June 3, 2022) – The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (Santa Cruz METRO) Board of Directors voted to cast its ballot in support of the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency (PRFMA) Benefit Assessment for Levee Operations and Maintenance during its May 2022 meeting... [read more]

New Santa Cruz METRO CEO Michael Tree and Congressman Jimmy Panetta Discuss Zero Emission Buses and Affordable Housing

Santa Cruz, CA (Thursday, May 26, 2022) – New Santa Cruz METRO CEO Michael Tree recently sat down with California’s 20 th Congressional District Representative Jimmy Panetta to discuss potential upcoming federal funding opportunities, including a near-future $42.5 million METRO grant application to accelerate implementation of the transit agency’s zero- emission bus plans... [read more]

Santa Cruz METRO Lifts Mandatory Face Mask Mandate for Vaccinated Persons Effective Immediately

Santa Cruz, CA (Tuesday, April 19, 2022) - The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) has decided to lift its’ mandatory face mask mandate for vaccinated staff and riders, per Monday’s announcement from TSA, advising public transportation operators that they no longer need to enforce the federal face mask mandate effective today, Tuesday, April 19, 2022... [read more]

Santa Cruz METRO Supports Earth Day with Free Fares Countywide

Santa Cruz, CA (Monday, April 18, 2022) - The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) is supporting Earth Day, by offering free fares countywide on all fixed-route, ParaCruz, and Highway 17 Express services on Friday, April 22, 2022.... [read more]

Santa Cruz METRO Welcomes Michael Tree as New CEO/General Manager

Santa Cruz, CA (Friday, March 25, 2022) – The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) welcomes new CEO/General Manager, Michael Tree. The announcement was made today during METRO’s Board of Directors Meetingbroadcast on Community TV. .... [read more]

Santa Cruz METRO Hosts Holiday “Stuff the Bus” Donation Site

Santa Cruz, CA (November 23, 2021) – The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) in partnership with local non-profit, Toys For Tots, is set to host METRO’s first “Stuff the Bus” donation site this holiday season. .... [read more]

Santa Cruz METRO CEO Announces Retirement from METRO

Santa Cruz, CA (November 19, 2021) – The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District’s (METRO) CEO/General Manager, Alex Clifford, announces retirement from METRO after seven and a half years in the position.... [read more]

METRO Now Hiring for Bus Operators

Offering $4K in Hiring Bonuses

Santa Cruz, CA (September 10, 2021) — The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) is now accepting applications for Bus Operators and encouraging applicants with a generous hiring bonus.... [read more]

METRO Announces 2021 Fall Service Schedule

UCSC service returns, riders benefit from pre-COVID service levels and electric buses roll out

Santa Cruz, CA (September 10, 2021) — Santa Cruz METRO announced its Fall 2021 schedule, covering Sept. 16 through Dec. 8. Most riders will see a complete return to pre-COVID levels of service, with the exceptions of weekday Highway 17, 91X trips and some UCSC service.... [read more]

Watsonville Circulator Route - Powered by all-electric zero emission buses

Santa Cruz, CA (September 1, 2021) — Santa Cruz METRO announced that it has been awarded a $489,213 grant from the California Department of Transportation’s Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) to launch a new “circulator” route that exclusively serves stops in Watsonville. A circulator route provides services in a loop format. The service will provide 16 daily round trips, seven days a week, 52 weeks out of the year. The route will be operated using zero emission buses purchased in the LCTOP previous cycles.... [read more]

METRO Supports Earth Day with Free Electric Bus Fares

Santa Cruz, CA (April 20, 2021) — The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) is supporting Earth Day, Thursday, April 22, 2021 by offering free fares on METRO’s first released electric bus... [read more]

METRO Launches New Transit Service Pilot Program, Cruz On-Demand

Santa Cruz, CA (April 16, 2021) — The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) announces the launch of a new on-demand transit service, Cruz On-Demand, as part of a year-long pilot project beginning Monday, April 19, 2021. Cruz On-Demand will be METRO’s first endeavor into on-demand service and will allow for increased service coverage in Santa Cruz County... [read more]

METRO Announces a Temporary Fare Reduction County-Wide

Santa Cruz, CA (March 17, 2021) — The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) announces a temporary fare reduction county-wide on local, Highway-17 Express, and ParaCruz rides beginning Monday, March 22, 2021 through September 15, 2021... [read more]

METRO Announces Free Fares County-Wide for COVID-19 Vaccination Appointments

Santa Cruz, CA (February 25, 2021) — The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) announces that METRO will be providing free local transit rides to and from COVID-19 vaccination appointments in Santa Cruz County starting Friday, February 26, 2021... [read more]

METRO Brings Awareness to the TSA Security Directive Mandating Face Masks on Public Transportation

Santa Cruz, CA (February 22, 2021) — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an Order on January 29, 2021, requiring the public to wear face masks while on conveyances and in transportation hubs. Meaning that masks must be worn at Transit Centers, transit facilities, bus stops, waiting for a bus, and while onboard buses and other public transportation vehicles... [read more]

Greyhound and Santa Cruz METRO Announce New Interline Partnership

Santa Cruz, CA (February 4, 2021) — Greyhound Lines Inc. and Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) have officially announced their interline partnership, allowing customers to transfer from Greyhound’s network to METRO’s Highway 17 Express service providing travel between Santa Cruz, CA to San Jose, CA... [read more]

Santa Cruz METRO To Receive Additional COVID-19 Emergency Funding

Santa Cruz, CA (January 26, 2021) - The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) announces that METRO will receive additional funding through the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 (CRRSAA)... [read more]

METRO Encourages Prioritization of Public Transportation Workers in the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Plan

Santa Cruz, CA (January 5, 2021) - The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) encourages the California Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 Vaccine Drafting Guidelines Workgroup to include essential public transit workers to be included in the Phase 1B- Tier 2 vaccine distribution plan, making vaccines available to essential public transit workers as soon as January 2021... [read more]

Santa Cruz METRO Announces Free Fares County-Wide on New Year’s Eve and on Hwy-17 Express New Year’s Day

Santa Cruz, CA (December 30, 2020) - The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) announces that METRO will be providing free local transit rides county-wide including the Hwy-17 Express all day on New Year’s Eve, Thursday, December 31, 2020 and free fare on the Hwy-17 Express on New Year’s Day, Friday, January 1, 2021... [read more]

Santa Cruz METRO Joins Public Transit Systems Around the Country in Urging Congress to #SavePublicTransit

Santa Cruz, CA (December 10, 2020) - The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) is joining fellow APTA members and industry partners on Tuesday, December 15 to collectively fight to #SavePublicTransit with a day of mobilization and engagement... [read more]

Santa Cruz METRO Announces Free Fixed-Route Fares County-Wide on Election Day

The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) announces that METRO will be providing free local transit rides county-wide on all fixed routes including the Hwy-17 Express on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2020... [read more]

Santa Cruz METRO and Arts Council of Santa Cruz County Unveil the Restored Watsonville Transit Center Mural

The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) and the Arts Council of Santa Cruz County announce the Watsonville Transit Center Mural Unveiling Event scheduled for Thursday, October 29, 2020 at 11:00AM at the Watsonville Transit Center in Watsonville, CA... [read more]

Santa Cruz METRO Launches New Overnight Parking App in Scotts Valley

Santa Cruz, CA, Feb. 19, 2020 - Santa Cruz METRO is rolling out the first in a series of new Apps that will help customers improve their commute experience... [read more]

Introducing METRO: A New Feature Highlighting the Men and Women Making METRO Move

Santa Cruz, CA, Nov. 11, 2019 - Supply chain logistics and transportation are two essential functions at the heart of military activity... [read more about METRO's Military Vets...]

Santa Cruz METRO's Paracruz Service Celebrates 15th Anniversary 

Santa Cruz, CA, Oct. 31, 2019 - “The first day was crazy. It was just chaos,” said Daniel Zaragoza. Today Mr. Zaragoza runs Paracruz for Santa Cruz METRO as the Operations Manager for the Paratransit Division... [read more]

Santa Cruz METRO to Unveil New Gillig Bus at Open Streets Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, CA, Oct. 10, 2019 - Join Santa Cruz METRO at Open Streets Santa Cruz on Sunday, Oct. 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. along West Cliff Drive... [read more]

Santa Cruz METRO to Host Public Meetings and Hearing on Free Fare Program

Santa Cruz, CA, Sept. 12, 2019 - Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District is now accepting public comment on its proposal to offer free fare to individuals who are legally blind... [read more]

Santa Cruz METRO Seeks New METRO Advisory Committee Seeks New Members

Santa Cruz, CA, Aug. 26, 2019 - Beginning Aug. 26, the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (SCMTD) is accepting nominations for two vacancies on its METRO Advisory Committee (MAC)... [read more]

Santa Cruz METRO to Operate Holiday Service for Independence Day

Santa Cruz, CA, July 3, 2019 - Santa Cruz METRO will not operate local fixed-route or Paracruz transit services in observance of the Fourth of July... [read more]

Santa Cruz METRO Board to Hold Public Hearing on Fiscal Year 2020 Proposed Budget 

Santa Cruz, CA, June 17, 2019 - The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District Board of Directors will hold a public hearing to review the proposed two year rolling budget for Fiscal Years 2020 and 2021... [read more]

Santa Cruz METRO Seeks New METRO Advisory Committee Members

Santa Cruz, CA, June 3, 2019 - Beginning June 1, Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (SCMTD) is accepting nominations for two vacancies on its METRO Advisory Committee (MAC). Applications must be submittted by close of business on June 30, 2019... [read more]