METRO Bus Stop Improvement Project

Clean CA Program award will help Metro install new bus shelters, benches, and trash cans

Santa Cruz METRO has been awarded funding from the Clean CA Program for its Bus Stop Improvement Project. The funds will be used to install 30 bus shelters, 30 bus benches, and 30 trash cans at bus stops across METRO’s service area.

The Bus Stop Improvement Project is a collaborative effort between the Clean CA Program, Caltrans District 5, and METRO. Its goal is to enhance the cleanliness and appeal of bus stops while addressing critical needs in the transit system, aligning with the California State Transportation Agency’s (CalSTA) climate action objectives.

The Watsonville-Santa Cruz Intercity Transit Speed and Reliability Study, funded through a Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant, identified opportunities for pedestrian, bus stop, and transit priority improvements. These improvements aim to enhance the convenience, access, and reliability of METRO’s core services. METRO operates more than 710 bus stops and is dedicated to improving the transit rider’s experience by strategically placing shelters and benches where they will have the most positive impact. The improvements to the bus stop will focus on South Santa Cruz County along the Watsonville-Santa Cruz transit corridor. This area primarily serves transit-dependent individuals, including seniors, students, people with disabilities, and low-income residents who rely on bus service for their daily transportation needs.

The new bus shelters funded by the Clean CA grant will provide covered areas to protect passengers from rain, extreme heat, and other weather conditions, making their wait more comfortable. These shelters will include schedules, maps, and route information to help passengers make informed travel decisions. Additionally, the shelters will increase the visibility of transit stops, ensuring passengers know where to wait.

For more information on Clean CA Local Grant Program visit https://cleancalifornia.dot.ca.gov/local-grant-program

Bus stops included in the Clean CA Grant that will be upgraded are included in the chart below. Please note that these stops may have intermittent construction August 2024 – March 2025 while upgrades are being made. Any concerns can be sent to METRO by creating a Customer Service Ticket.