Bus/Transit Services
The RTC supports and funds a variety of transit projects, including funding for expansion and improvements to local bus service, accessible transportation services, and planning studies and possible future uses of the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line.
Bus Transit via Santa Cruz Metro
Fixed route bus transit service in Santa Cruz County is provided by the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (Santa Cruz Metro). Complementary ADA paratransit service called ParaCruz is also provided by Santa Cruz Metro. Local transit trip planning can be done using the online web tool Google Transit, by calling Santa Cruz Metro’s Customer Service at (831) 425-8600 or Cruz511 at (831) 429-POOL.
Santa Cruz Metro was formed in 1968 and currently operates over 80 buses on 34 fixed routes. In addition to bus service within the County, Santa Cruz Metro operates express commuter service over Highway 17 to Silicon Valley.
Santa Cruz Metro recently built a centralized operations depot in Santa Cruz. View their project page for more information about current projects.
See Santa Cruz Metro’s Planning page for information about studies, ridership and service data.
Three members of the Board of Directors of Santa Cruz Metro are appointed to represent that agency on the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission.
Other local and regional transit operators
- Valley Transportation Authority (VTA)
- Monterey Salinas Transit (MST)
- San Benito County Express
- Greyhound Bus
- UCSC TAPS – Transportation and Parking Services (UC Santa Cruz)
- Roaring Camp Big Trees Railroad – recreational service
Paratransit/Accessible Services
In addition to the paratransit services provided by the transit agencies listed above, the Regional Transportation Commission provides partial funding for the Consolidated Transportation Services Agency (Lift Line/Community Bridges) and the Santa Cruz Volunteer Center, which provide transportation services to seniors and people with disabilities in Santa Cruz County. The Elderly and Disabled Transportation Advisory Committee (E&D TAC) is a citizen’s advisory committee that advises the Regional Transportation Commission on matters related to accessible transportation and sponsors events and activities that promote accessible transportation.
- Meetings and Events/E&D TAC
- Services and Resources/Seniors and Accessible Services
- RTC’s Guide to Specialized Transportation – also available in Spanish and large print versions
Sign up to receive periodic e-news information on regional transportation planning projects here.
Other Resources
- Cruz511 Local resources for taking transit
- Santa Cruz Metro
RTC Contact
Grace Blakeslee
Senior Transportation Planner
info@sccrtc.org
(831) 460-3200
