Accessible Services

Santa Cruz METRO’s top priority is to provide courteous, safe, and reliable mobility and accessibility to our community.  In cooperation with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), Santa Cruz METRO is committed to providing transportation services that can be used by all of our customers.

Accessibility Features

  • All METRO vehicles are accessible
  • Priority seating is available for older adults and customers with disabilities
  • All METRO buses have “kneeling” capabilities, which permit the front entry door to be lowered to ease entry and exit of the bus
  • If you have difficulty climbing steps, ask the Bus Operator to “kneel” the bus for you before you enter or exit the front entry
  • All METRO buses are equipped with ramps or lifts to accommodate passengers who have difficulty climbing
    stairs, or who use mobility devices
  • For passengers using mobility devices, there are reserved areas with securement systems to provide a safe ride
  • If you have special needs, please notify your Bus Operator; they are trained to assist with the mandatory
    securement of any mobility device

Fixed Route Features

  • In the event of a passenger lift failure, the Bus Operator will notify the Dispatcher for guaranteed Back-Up Service if another bus heading to the passenger’s destination will not arrive within 30 minutes
  • If a METRO bus cannot be provided, our METRO ParaCruz paratransit service will be utilized
  • Every METRO Bus is equipped with a Call Stop Announcement System that will announce every bus stop (except
  • those within 600 feet of an earlier stop)
  • Upon boarding, you may ask the Bus Operator to assist in finding your destination

Attendants

  • One Personal Care Attendant (PCA) can ride free with a fare-paying passenger who presents a Discount Photo ID Card

Service Animal Accessibility

  • A Service Animal is defined as any animal that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the befefit of an individual with a disabilty, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability
  • Passengers with disabilities may be accompanied on a METRO bus, or METRO ParaCruz vehicle by a Service Animal specifically trained to assist them
  • The owner must be in control of the animal at all times
  • Any working Service Animal should NOT be petted or handled by any person other than the owner
  • For complete information see METRO's Service Animal Policy

Life Support Equipment

  • Individuals required to use respirators, portable oxygen, and other life support equipment, are permitted to board with them, unless it would violate Federal Regulations (49 CFR Parts 100 - 199) concerning the transportation of hazardous materials

Mobility Devices

  • Santa Cruz METRO allows for all mobility devices to access our vehicles regardless of weight or size, and will attempt to carry any wheelchair or mobility device that can physically and safely be accommodated on either our Fixed Route or Paratransit equipment
  • Boarding is permitted as long as the device can maneuver the ramp or be picked up by the lift, and the passenger can maneuver the device into the passenger area in a forward facing position for securement
  • METRO vehicles utilize a multi-point securement system, including: lap belt, shoulder harness (and safety restraint bar for fixed route)

For Your Safety

  • Securement of mobility devices is mandatory
  • METRO requests that you lock your brakes on your mobility device while using the lift and also while the bus is in motion
  • While traveling in a scooter, the Bus Operator will suggest transferring to a passenger seat once your scooter has been secured

Mobility Training

Many customers find that our fixed route buses provide greater flexibility and independence while being less expensive than our paratransit service.  Santa Cruz METRO’s Mobility Program provides free training to individuals, who want to learn how to:

  • Ride the bus safely and confidently
  • Use passenger lifts, ramps, kneeling bus steps, and other special features
  • Handle unique mobility situations
  • Make connections between buses
  • Obtain a METRO Discount Photo ID Card
  • Purchase discount fare passes
  • Read the Headways Bus Rider's Guide
  • Plan your trip using METRO website

Complimentary Stokes Straps (for protecting your wheelchair from tie-down scratches) are available.

ADA Complaint Procedure

In accordance with the requirements of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (504), the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in the METRO’s services, programs, or activities. METRO will not tolerate acts of retaliation against anyone exercising his/her rights under the ADA/504.

  • Any person with a disability or his/her representative who believes that METRO’s programs, activities or services are not in compliance with the ADA/504 statutes or regulations, may file a formal complaint with METRO as outlined in the ADA Complaint Procedure.