Rapid Corridors Project

 

Santa Cruz METRO is working with the community to identify solutions aimed at making transit faster, more reliable, and easier to access between the cities of Watsonville and Santa Cruz.

 

Funded by a Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant in 2022, the Rapid Corridors Study identified route, bus stop and roadway improvements that when implemented would double the number of residents within a quarter mile of a high-quality bus stop and reduce travel time on the Route 1 and 2 corridors by up to 40%.

 

The recommendations also include numerous pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements, including boarding islands that separate bicycle and bus traffic, expanded boarding areas, and enhanced pedestrian crossings.

 

For a full list of project elements, visit the Rapid Corridors project page.

 

Implementing the strategies is estimated to cost $24.1 million. METRO was awarded $7.5 million for rapid bus upgrades through the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) Cycle 6. METRO is seeking additional funding through joint applications with the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) to fully fund the Watsonville – Santa Cruz Multimodal Corridor Program. Opportunities to implement strategies as part of upcoming projects, such as the Pacific Station Redevelopment, are also being explored.

 

2024 Rapid Corridors Discontinued Stops 

 

 

Project Objectives

  • Engage community members to understand needs and opportunities for improved transit service, amenities, and bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
  • Evaluate traffic and travel conditions along the corridor to identify potential transit priority improvements, bus stop amenities, and pedestrian and bicycle facilities.
  • Develop strategies and solutions for improving transit service and access.
  • Coordinate with local jurisdictions and key stakeholders to identify steps to implementation.

Project Timeline

  • September 2022 – January 2023: Data Collection and Existing Conditions
  • January – February 2023: Round 1 community engagement survey and pop-up events
  • February – August 2023: Identify problems, develop strategies, and prioritize recommendations
  • September – October 2023: Round 2 community feedback and meeting/pop-up events
  • METRO would like your feedback on the proposed improvements. Please spend a few minutes to learn more about the project and to provide input. Survey closes Thursday, October 26th, 2023
  • November 2023: Develop Implementation Plan
  • November 2023 – January 2024: Prepare Final Report and Appendicies.

 

Stay informed about METRO’s Rapid Corridors Project by signing up for subscriber alerts or viewing METRO's News Bulletins Page.