SC Metro | How to ride

Bikes & Buses

Your bike is welcome on METRO!

The information on this page is intended to answer questions about METRO’s Bikes on Fixed Route Buses policy to help make your travels pleasant and safe.

Here is some basic information about bringing your bike on the bus:

• All METRO buses are equipped with front-mounted racks with space for three standard size bikes.
• Use of the bike racks is free to fare paying customers, on a first-come, first-serve basis. One bike per customer.
• You can load your bike at any posted bus stop. To make loading easier, you can ask the operator to “kneel” (lower) the bus for your convenience.

Bicycles are not permitted inside the buses, except as described below:

• Folding bikes are allowed on the bus if space is available. Bikes must be folded and stored out of the aisle and always controlled by the owner.
• Standard size bikes are allowed on Hwy 17 Express and Routes 40, 41, and 42. Up to two bikes can be accommodated inside these buses if the bus is not already at full seated capacity. Bikes must be stored in the accessible seating area and secured with straps obtained from the Operator.
• Hwy 17 Express: You may only bring bikes inside the bus at the Diridon Station southbound, Cavallaro Station northbound, or Pasatiempo station (if northbound trip does not serve Cavallaro Station) if the bus is not already full to seated capacity.

Note: Individuals using wheelchairs and people whom we accommodate in the accessible seating area have priority over bicycles. You may be asked to remove your bicycle from the bus.

Get ready to ride

Before the bus arrives, get your bike ready by removing any oversized equipment, or loose items not permanently attached, that might impair the operator’s vision or fall off the bike.

When the bus arrives, tell the operator you will be loading a bicycle. For your safety, load from the curbside only and do not step beyond the operator’s side of the bus

Transit App

This app provides bus schedules, arrival predictions, and service alerts. Since it supports most other transit agencies as well, it can help plan trips to destinations beyond Santa Cruz County.

Google and Apple Maps

METRO riders can use Google Maps and Apple Maps to plan their trips. Both Google Maps and Apple Maps allow riders to choose “Directions” and travel method “Transit”, enabling you to select which route or combination of routes to take to your destination.

(Exclusive to Apple hardware — iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, and Macs.)

(A cross-platform service, available on Android, iOS, iPadOS, and all web browsers.)

METRO Real-Time

The METRO Real-Time website puts real-time bus information at your fingertips, showing the location of METRO vehicles on a route map, predicted arrival time at any bus stop, a trip planner, and the best part is there is no app to download first!

Subscribe to customized route-and stop-specific alerts for your regular commute, and learn more by visiting rt.scmetro.org on desktop or mobile.

Apps for Fare Payment

METRO Splash Pass

There has never been an easier, more convenient way to purchase your fares than with Splash Pass, METRO’s mobile ticketing app. Mobile ticketing allows for contactless payment and processing of fares. Riders can purchase their tickets by downloading the METRO Splash Pass to their smartphone.

To learn more about how to use Splash Pass, read our Download Instructions and FAQs.

Apps for ParaCruz Customers

Mobility by Ecolane

Customers who want to schedule a ParaCruz ride have the convenience of viewing available trips and booking and canceling their own rides via METRO’s Ecolane App or via the Ecolane online portal.

To use the app, ParaCruz customers will first need to contact METRO’s ParaCruz Customer Service Department at (831) 425-4664 to enroll in the Ecolane program. A valid email address is needed at the time of enrollment. After enrollment, ParaCruz customers can download the Ecolane app on their smartphone devices through the App Store and Google Play or customers can access Ecolane via an online portal.

Diminishing Balance

Although not technically an app, Diminishing Balance is a great payment method for ParaCruz fares.

Customers who are enrolled in ParaCruz can create a Diminishing Balance Account to pay for their ParaCruz rides without the need for cash or coupons. ParaCruz customers will first need to contact METRO’s ParaCruz Customer Service Department at (831) 425-4664 to open a Diminishing Balance Account. After enrollment, ParaCruz customers can add funds to their accounts online, by mailing a check to the ParaCruz Customer Service Department, or in person by visiting one of our Customer Service Windows at the Temporary Riverfront Customer Experience Center in Santa Cruz or the Watsonville Transit Center.

Overnight Parking for METRO Highway 17 Riders

METRO now offers the Passport Parking App for purchasing overnight parking at our Scotts Valley Cavallaro Transit Center.

How to use the Passport Parking App:

1. Download the app
2. Or visit PassportParking.com and click the “Pay Online” link.
3. Enter the parking zone for Scotts Valley Transit Center: Zone 9506.

Parking is $5 per night and can be purchased for up to two weeks at a time using the App. Permits are only required for overnight customer parking.