Big changes are now underway at the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO). As of Dec. 21, METRO is implementing bus service improvements as part of Reimagine METRO, an effort to increase service, adapt to post-Covid travel patterns and create a more useful transit network.
The changes encompass several areas, such as increasing service coverage, providing higher frequency in areas with substantial transit demand, and establishing more straightforward and direct routes, particularly in Watsonville. Improved transfer options, resulting in shorter wait times, are also included with modifications to route numbers and names, and adjustments to bus stop locations and street coverage for bus service.
“We are thrilled to roll out our first big wave of bus system improvements,” said METRO Board Chair Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson. “From expanding our service coverage to offering free transfers, the goal of Reimagine METRO is to transform public transit in Santa Cruz County to better meet the needs of our community.”
METRO is offering free fares countywide on all services, including fixed-route, Highway 17 and ParaCruz, through Jan. 4.
Specific service changes now in effect include:
• Higher frequency service between Watsonville and Santa Cruz, which include a bus every 15 minutes between Santa Cruz and Watsonville; a bus every 10-20 minutes at Cabrillo College and a bus every 30 minutes (or better) on all of Soquel Drive.
• The return of an express route between Watsonville and Santa Cruz during peak commute times.
• Continued 15-minute service on Routes 18 and 19.
• A new route connecting the UCSC campus to Live Oak and Capitola Mall.
METRO will also make changes to its fare and pass offerings, including free transfers for riders on all routes, including Highway 17. Transfers will be issued only after a request from a rider and will be effective for two hours. Transfers from a local to a Highway 17 bus will require payment of an “upgrade fare” equal to the difference between a local and Highway 17 fare.
Ticket vending machines (TVMs) were retired on Dec. 20. After Jan. 4, tickets and passes can be purchased online at scmetro.org or via METRO’s Splash Pass app, available for download on Google Play or the Apple App Store or at one of METRO’s Customer Service Windows located at Pacific Station and the Watsonville Transit Center.
For information on Reimagine METRO, visit scmetro.org/reimagine. To view METRO’s Winter Schedule, visit scmtd.com/en/routes/schedule/202420.
