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Press Releases
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]
