Seniors & Accessible Transportation Services
Photo credit: Santa Cruz METRO
Guide to Specialized Transportation Services
A Guide to Specialized Transportation Services (Spanish version) for seniors and people with disabilities in Santa Cruz County is published by the RTC. This guide lists accessible transportation services available in Santa Cruz County including eligibility requirements, hours/schedule, service charges, service area, and more details.
ParaCruz (operated by Santa Cruz Metro) and Lift Line (operated by Community Bridges) are key providers of local accessible transportation services.
Advisory Committee
The RTC’s Elderly & Disabled Transportation Advisory Committee (E&D TAC) generally meets every even numbered month and advises the RTC on planning, policy and funding issues affecting accessible transportation. All are welcome to attend the E&D TAC meetings. Voting members include citizens, representatives from groups/agencies working with seniors and people with disabilities, and transportation service providers.
Transit Needs Assessment
Each year the RTC and its E&D TAC develop a list of paratransit and transit needs. This “Unmet Transit and Paratransit Needs List” identifies transportation needs that have community support, but are not currently being met by the existing public transit system. While many transit needs cannot be met due to limited funding, the Unmet Needs List serves to highlight these needs for decision-makers and the public, as well as identifying the highest priority unmet needs. The list is drafted by the E&D TAC and is reviewed and adopted by the Regional Transportation Commission each year.
The 2022 Final Unmet Transit and Paratransit Needs List was adopted by the RTC at the May 2022 meeting and is expected to be updated following a public hearing at the May 4th 2023 RTC board meeting. Public input on the 2023 Draft Unmet Transit and Paratransit Needs List can be submitted using the online form. Comments received will be considered in future updates.
Links
Guide to Specialized Transportation Services ENGLISH
Guide to Specialized Transportation Services SPANISH
2022 Unmet Transit and Specialized Transportation Needs
Mobility Needs and Bus Use of Aging and Disabled Adults Report (2013)
2005 Paratransit Task Force recommendations and related materials
Pedestrian reports with a focus on accessibility
RTC Contact
Grace Blakeslee
Senior Transportation Planner
info@sccrtc.org
(831) 460-3200