Service Alerts
Quarterly Service Changes
Winter Service (Dec 21, 2023 - Mar 13, 2024)
Winter Service starting December 21, 2023
Major Service Changes: Reimagine METRO - Phase 1
New Routes 1, 2, 3, and 73 Have Replaced Routes 10, 66, 68, 69A, 69W, and 71
As part of Reimagine METRO – Phase 1, many routes have been combined and simplified, with new route numbers.
Riders are advised to review all of the route changes below, and then view the new schedules and maps to see the changes in detail.
New Watsonville – Santa Cruz Express Service: Route 90X
New Route 90X brings back express service between Watsonville and Santa Cruz. This new route serves limited stops in Watsonville and Santa Cruz, but travels mainly on Highway 1.
School Term Service:
UCSC
Weekdays/Weekends: There is no Winter 2023- 24 UCSC “ST” service. All UCSC routes will operate throughout the Winter 2023-24 schedule including UCSC quarter breaks (METRO holidays excepted).
San Lorenzo Valley School District
Weekdays: San Lorenzo Valley “ST” service will operate December 21, 2023 and from January 9, 2024 through the end of the Winter 2023-24 schedule, except for the following dates: January 15, 2024 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day); February 19 - 23, 2024.
Route 1 – Soquel/Cabrillo/Airport
See Route Schedule: 1 /*= JText::_('COM_BULLETINS_SEE_ROUTE_MAP')*/?>
NEW ROUTE
Weekdays/Weekends: This new route follows the route of discontinued Route 71 from Santa Cruz to Cabrillo College, then roughly the route of discontinued route 69A from Cabrillo College to Watsonville. From Santa Cruz Metro Center to Cabrillo College, it runs up Front St to River St to Water St to Poplar Ave to Soquel Ave/Dr to Cabrillo. It then continues on Soquel Dr to State Park Dr, then Highway 1, Airport Blvd, Freedom Blvd, Lincoln St, and E. Lake Ave (toward Watsonville Transit Center) and E. Beach St (leaving Watsonville Transit Center).
Route 2 – Capitola/Cabrillo/Main
See Route Schedule: 2 /*= JText::_('COM_BULLETINS_SEE_ROUTE_MAP')*/?>
NEW ROUTE
Weekdays/Weekends: This new route mainly follows the route of discontinued Route 69W, but with some segments that used to be Route 71. From Santa Cruz Metro Center to Cabrillo College, it runs up Front St - River St - Water St to Poplar Ave (the routing of Route 71), then Soquel Ave - Capitola Road - Capitola Mall (route of 69W). From Capitola Road, it will operate on 41st Ave to Soquel Dr to Cabrillo College (route of 69W). From Cabrillo College, the route continues along Soquel Dr to Freedom Blvd (route of 71), where it enters Hwy 1 to Main St in Watsonville (returning to 69W route). Finally, it will continue along Main St to W. Lake Ave to Watsonville Transit Center (unlike Route 69W, it will not run on Rodriguez St).
Route 3A/3B – UCSC/Capitola Mall/Live Oak
See Route Schedule: 3A 3B /*= JText::_('COM_BULLETINS_SEE_ROUTE_MAP')*/?>
NEW ROUTE
Weekdays/Weekends: This new route offers direct service from Capitola Mall, Live Oak, and Seabright to UCSC by combining segments of Live Oak routes 66 and 68 with former UCSC Route 10 that ran via High St. Both the 3A and 3B routes start at Capitola Mall, travel down 41st Ave then 38th Ave to Portola Dr and 17th Ave. At 17th Ave, 3A continues along East Cliff Dr, eventually turning right at 7th Ave. Route 3B follows the path of the former Route 66, along 17th Ave, left on Brommer St, and right on 7th Ave. From 7th Ave and Brommer St, both routes continue up 7th Ave to Soquel Ave, then Soquel Ave (passing Harbor High) to Seabright Ave, then Broadway to the Metro Center. From the Metro Center, both routes 3A and 3B follow the route of the former route 10 along High St to UCSC, but access the campus loop from the West Gate rather than the Main Gate. From UCSC, the route returns to the Metro Center, then returns to Capitola Mall along the same routes of Brommer/17th or East Cliff.
Route 4 – River/Harvey West/Emeline
See Route Schedule: 4 /*= JText::_('COM_BULLETINS_SEE_ROUTE_MAP')*/?>
ROUTE CHANGE
Weekdays: Route 4 will provide service to both the Harvey West area and to the Emeline Complex/ County Health. From Santa Cruz Metro Center, the route will travel along River St to Vernon St/METRO Admin, then the Encinal/Harvey West loop to Housing Matters on Coral St, then Hwy 1 and Plymouth St to Grant St and the Emeline Complex. Then the route returns to Hwy 1, River St to METRO Admin, then the Harvey West loop, and finally River St back to Metro Center.
Route 10 – UCSC via Main Gate – High
DISCONTINUED – SEE ROUTES 3A/3B
Weekdays/Weekends: Service to UCSC via High St is now provided by the new Routes 3A and 3B. Between the two routes, service from High St to UCSC runs every 30 minutes – twice the service of the old Route 10.
Route 15 – UCSC via West Gate – Laurel
DISCONTINUED – SEE ROUTES 3A/3B AND 19
Weekdays: This route has been discontinued. Service from Santa Cruz Metro Center to UCSC West Gate is provided by Routes 3A/3B and 19.
Route 18 – UCSC via Main Gate - Mission
See Route Schedule: 18 /*= JText::_('COM_BULLETINS_SEE_ROUTE_MAP')*/?>
Weekdays/Weekends: Departure and arrival times have been adjusted by a few minutes along the route. Trips which formerly operated as “ST” trips only while UCSC was in session will now operate every week (except METRO holidays).
Route 19 – UCSC via West Gate – Bay
See Route Schedule: 19 /*= JText::_('COM_BULLETINS_SEE_ROUTE_MAP')*/?>
Weekdays/Weekends: Departure and arrival times have been adjusted by a few minutes along the route. Trips which formerly operated as “ST” trips only while UCSC was in session will now operate every week (except METRO holidays).
Route 20 – UCSC via Main Gate – Delaware/ Western
See Route Schedule: 20 /*= JText::_('COM_BULLETINS_SEE_ROUTE_MAP')*/?>
Weekdays/Weekends: Departure and arrival times have been adjusted by a few minutes along the route.
Route 35 – Highway 9/Scotts Valley
See Route Schedule: 35 /*= JText::_('COM_BULLETINS_SEE_ROUTE_MAP')*/?>
Weekdays: Weekday daytime service to Boulder Creek Country Club will now be provided by Route 35 instead of Route 35E.
Route 35E – Highway 9/Scotts Valley/Emeline
DISCONTINUED
Weekdays: Service to the Emeline Complex/County Health Services will be provided by Route 4. Weekday daytime service to Boulder Creek Country Club will be provided by Route 35.
Route 42 – Davenport/Bonny Doon
See Route Schedule: 42 /*= JText::_('COM_BULLETINS_SEE_ROUTE_MAP')*/?>
Weekends: Departure times have changed along the route.
Route 55 – Cabrillo/Rio Del Mar/La Selva Beach
See Route Schedule: 55 /*= JText::_('COM_BULLETINS_SEE_ROUTE_MAP')*/?>
ROUTE CHANGE
Weekdays/Weekends: All trips will now serve Clubhouse Dr, Sumner Ave, and Via Pacifica. In addition, the route will be extended to La Selva Beach. From La Selva Beach, the route will return to San Andreas Rd and Hwy 1, where it resumes the previous routing.
Weekdays: The route will operate seven trips per day at an interval of one hour and forty minutes.
Weekends: The route will operate three trips per day, departing Capitola Mall at 9:00am, 1:00pm, and 5:00pm.
Route 66 - Live Oak/17th
DISCONTINUED – SEE ROUTES 3A/3B
Weekdays/Weekends: This route has been discontinued. Routes 3A and 3B serve Capitola Mall, Live Oak, Harbor High, and Seabright/Broadway.
Route 68 - Broadway/Portola
DISCONTINUED – SEE ROUTES 3A/3B
Weekdays/Weekends: This route has been discontinued. Routes 3A and 3B serve Capitola Mall, Live Oak, Harbor High, and Seabright/Broadway.
Route 69A - Capitola/Cabrillo/Airport
DISCONTINUED – SEE ROUTES 1 AND 2
Weekdays/Weekends: This route has been discontinued. Watsonville – Santa Cruz service from Airport Blvd, Freedom Blvd, and Lincoln St is now part of Route 1. Service along Capitola Road and Soquel Dr is now part of Route 2.
Route 69W - Capitola/Cabrillo
DISCONTINUED – SEE ROUTES 1 AND 2
Weekdays/Weekends: This route has been discontinued. Depending on the segment, new service is provided by Route 1 or Route 2. Route 2 provides service to Capitola Rd, Capitola Mall, Cabrillo College, and Main St in Watsonville.
Route 71 – Soquel/Freedom
DISCONTINUED – SEE ROUTES 1, 2, AND 73
Weekdays/Weekends: This route has been discontinued. Depending on the segment, new service is provided by Route 1, Route 2, or Route 73. Service on Lincoln St and Freedom Blvd (to Freedom Centre) is now provided by Route 1. Service on Clifford Ave and Freedom Blvd from Clifford Ave to Soquel Ave (Freedom/Day Valley/Aptos High), is provided by Route 73. Service on Soquel Drive from Freedom Blvd to Aptos Village, Rancho Del Mar Shopping Center, and Cabrillo College is provided by Route 2. Service along Soquel Drive between 41st Ave and Capitola Rd is provided by Route 1.
Route 72 – Green Valley – Watsonville Hospital
See Route Schedule: 72 /*= JText::_('COM_BULLETINS_SEE_ROUTE_MAP')*/?>
Weekdays/Weekends: Departure and arrival times have been adjusted by a few minutes along the route.
Route 72W – Green Valley – Corralitos
See Route Schedule: 72W /*= JText::_('COM_BULLETINS_SEE_ROUTE_MAP')*/?>
Weekdays/Weekends: Departure and arrival times have been adjusted by a few minutes along the route.
Route 73 – Soquel/Freedom/Cabrillo
See Route Schedule: 73 /*= JText::_('COM_BULLETINS_SEE_ROUTE_MAP')*/?>
NEW ROUTE
Weekdays/Weekends: This new route provides service along Freedom Blvd and Soquel Drive from Watsonville Transit Center to Cabrillo College, replacing the discontinued Route 71 between Freedom Blvd/ Airport Blvd and Soquel Dr. In addition to Cabrillo College, this route serves Aptos High School, Aptos Junior High, and Aptos Village.
Route 75 – Green Valley
See Route Schedule: 75 /*= JText::_('COM_BULLETINS_SEE_ROUTE_MAP')*/?>
ROUTE CHANGE
Weekdays/Weekends: The route will return from Freedom Centre to Watsonville Transit Center via Freedom Blvd and Green Valley Rd, replacing the segment of the old route that continued on Airport Blvd to Loma Prieta Ave to Green Valley Rd. Departure and arrival times have been adjusted by a few minutes along the route.
Weekends: Service will operate on an hourly schedule, instead of every 70 minutes.
Route 79 – East Lake
See Route Schedule: 79 /*= JText::_('COM_BULLETINS_SEE_ROUTE_MAP')*/?>
ROUTE CHANGE
Weekdays/Weekends: The route will serve E. Beach St then Hushbeck Ave, Bronte Ave, Bridge St, and Tuttle Ave before traveling along E. Lake Ave to College Rd and Lakeview Rd. The route returns to Watsonville Transit Center directly along E. Lake Ave; it does not serve Martinelli Ave or Freedom Blvd. Service is provided every 30 minutes – twice the frequency of the old Route 79 – and arrivals at Watsonville Transit Center are timed for connections to other routes serving Main St, Freedom Blvd, and Green Valley Road.
Route 90X – Watsonville – Santa Cruz Express
See Route Schedule: 90X /*= JText::_('COM_BULLETINS_SEE_ROUTE_MAP')*/?>
NEW ROUTE
Weekdays: The route will provide express service in the morning and afternoon peak hours between Watsonville and Santa Cruz via Highway 1. It will start at Watsonville Transit Center and serve limited stops on Main St before entering Highway 1. The route will exit Highway 1 at Soquel Dr, then make limited stops along Soquel Ave and Water St on the way to Santa Cruz Metro Center. From Santa Cruz Metro Center, it will follow the same route in reverse: Water St, Soquel Ave, Hwy 1, and Main St to Watsonville Transit Center. Route 90X does not serve Cabrillo College; however, frequent service to Cabrillo College is provided by Routes 1 and 2 from both Watsonville, Santa Cruz, Aptos, and Soquel. Route 73 provides additional service to Cabrillo from Watsonville, Freedom/Day Valley, and Aptos.
Watsonville Circulator
DISCONTINUED – SEE ROUTES 1, 2, 72, 73, 74S, 75, AND 79
Weekdays/Weekends: This route has been discontinued. Routes 1, 2, 72, 73, 74S, and 75 provide service to Freedom Centre. Route 1 provides service to Airport Blvd, Freedom Blvd, and Lincoln St. Routes 72, 74S, and 75 provide service to Green Valley Road. Routes 2, 72, 73, and 75 offer service on Main St. Route 79 now serves E. Beach St every 30 minutes instead of hourly.
Fall Service (Sep 14, 2023 - Dec 20, 2023)
Fall Service starting September 14, 2023
Highlighted Service Changes:
Route 18 – UCSC via Main Gate - Mission
Weekdays: Additional service will be provided; trips will run every 15 minutes from 8:35am – 7:50pm.
Weekends: “ST” trips will be added; when “ST” trips are operating, service will run every 15 minutes from 1:25pm – 7:25pm, and every 30 minutes through 9:25pm.
Route 19 – UCSC via West Gate - Laurel
Weekdays: Additional service will be provided; trips will run every 15 minutes from 8:20am – 8:05pm.
Weekends: “ST” trips will be added; when “ST” trips are operating, service will run every 30 minutes from 12:05pm – 9:05pm.
Route 35 – Highway 9/Scotts Valley
Weekdays: An early morning trip will be added departing in the 5:00am hour, starting from Big Basin Way & Hwy 9 (Stop ID 1236) in Boulder Creek to Country Club, then departing from Country Club (Stop ID 1247) at 5:15am to Santa Cruz.
Weekends: An early morning trip will be added departing in the 7:00am hour, starting from Big Basin Way & Hwy 9 (Stop ID 1236) in Boulder Creek at 7:18am to Country Club, then departing from Country Club (Stop ID 1247) at 7:27am to Santa Cruz. Seasonal service to Big Basin Redwoods State Park is discontinued until Summer 2024.
Highway 17 Express
Weekdays: An early morning trip has been added for early morning commuters and travelers on early Amtrak trains and buses, departing Santa Cruz Metro Center at 4:56am and arriving at San Jose Diridon Station at 5:48am. A southbound bus also has been added, departing San Jose Diridon at 6:18am.
School Term Service:
UCSC
Weekdays/Weekends: UCSC “ST” service will operate September 23 through December 15, 2023 except for the following dates: November 10-12 (Veterans Day weekend) and November 23-26 (Thanksgiving Break).
San Lorenzo Valley School District
Weekdays: SLV “ST” service will operate for the full Fall schedule except for the following dates: September 1; September 4 (Labor Day); October 13; November 1; November 10 (Veterans Day); November 20-24 (Thanksgiving Week).
Route 10 – UCSC via Main Gate - High
See Route Schedule: 10 /*= JText::_('COM_BULLETINS_SEE_ROUTE_MAP')*/?>
Weekdays/Weekends: Departure and arrival times have been adjusted by a few minutes along the route.
Route 15 – UCSC via West Gate - Laurel
See Route Schedule: 15 /*= JText::_('COM_BULLETINS_SEE_ROUTE_MAP')*/?>
Weekdays: Departure and arrival times have been adjusted by a few minutes along the route.
Highway 17 Express
See Route Schedule: 17 /*= JText::_('COM_BULLETINS_SEE_ROUTE_MAP')*/?>
Weekdays/Weekends: Departure and arrival times have been adjusted by a few minutes along the route.
Weekdays: A trip has been added for commuters and travelers to connect to early morning Amtrak trains and buses, departing Santa Cruz Metro Center at 4:56am and arriving at San Jose Diridon Station at 5:48am. A southbound trip has also been added, departing San Jose Diridon at 6:18am.
Route 18 – UCSC via Main Gate - Mission
See Route Schedule: 18 /*= JText::_('COM_BULLETINS_SEE_ROUTE_MAP')*/?>
Weekdays/Weekends: Departure and arrival times have been adjusted by a few minutes along the route.
Weekdays: Additional service will be provided; trips will run every 15 minutes from 8:35am – 7:50pm.
Weekends: "ST” trips will be added; when “ST” trips are operating, service will run every 15 minutes from 1:25pm – 7:25pm, and every 30 minutes through 9:25pm.
Route 19 – UCSC via West Gate – Bay
See Route Schedule: 19 /*= JText::_('COM_BULLETINS_SEE_ROUTE_MAP')*/?>
Weekdays/Weekends: Departure and arrival times have been adjusted by a few minutes along the route.
Weekdays: Additional service will be provided; trips will run every 15 minutes from 8:20am – 8:05pm.
Weekends: "ST” trips will be added; when “ST” trips are operating, service will run every 30 minutes from 12:05pm – 9:05pm.
Route 20 – UCSC via Main Gate – Delaware/Western
See Route Schedule: 20 /*= JText::_('COM_BULLETINS_SEE_ROUTE_MAP')*/?>
Weekdays/Weekends: Departure and arrival times have been adjusted by a few minutes along the route. The Seymour Center timepoint will move from the Seymour Center (Stop ID 2744) to McAllister Way (Coastal Biology Building) inbound (Stop ID 2750). Stop 2744 will still be served as a regular stop.
Route 35 – Highway 9/Scotts Valley
See Route Schedule: 35 /*= JText::_('COM_BULLETINS_SEE_ROUTE_MAP')*/?>
Weekdays/Weekends: Scotts Valley Dr & Johnston Way (Stop ID 2633) will be reactivated.
Weekdays: An early morning trip will be added in the 5:00am hour, departing from Big Basin Way & Hwy 9 (Stop ID 1236) in Boulder Creek at 5:06am to Country Club, then departing from Country Club (Stop ID 1247) at 5:15am to Santa Cruz.
Weekends: An early morning trip will be added departing in the 7:00am hour, starting from Big Basin Way & Hwy 9 (Stop ID 1236) in Boulder Creek at 7:18am to Country Club, then departing from Country Club (Stop ID 1247) at 7:27am to Santa Cruz. Seasonal service to Big Basin Redwoods State Park is discontinued until Summer 2024.
Route 35E – Highway 9/Scotts Valley/Emeline
See Route Schedule: 35E /*= JText::_('COM_BULLETINS_SEE_ROUTE_MAP')*/?>
Weekdays: Scotts Valley Dr & Johnston Way (Stop ID 2633) will be reactivated.
Route 69A - Capitola/Cabrillo/Airport
See Route Schedule: 69A /*= JText::_('COM_BULLETINS_SEE_ROUTE_MAP')*/?>
Weekdays/Weekends: Departure and arrival times have been adjusted by a few minutes along the route.
Route 69W - Capitola/Cabrillo
See Route Schedule: 69W /*= JText::_('COM_BULLETINS_SEE_ROUTE_MAP')*/?>
Weekdays/Weekends: Departure and arrival times have been adjusted by a few minutes along the route.
Route 71 – Soquel/Freedom
See Route Schedule: 71 /*= JText::_('COM_BULLETINS_SEE_ROUTE_MAP')*/?>
Weekdays/Weekends: Departure and arrival times have been adjusted by a few minutes along the route. The 11:35pm short trip from the Boardwalk at Cliff & Beach (Stop ID 1318) to Santa Cruz Metro Center will be discontinued until Summer 2024.