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Youth Cruz Free

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Nearby Transit Routes

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Route(s): 3B

FY26 Summer Service Change, Route 3B

Route 3B Summer Service (eff. 6/18/26): Weekdays/Weekends: The Brommer & 17th Ave stop outbound to Capitola Mall (Stop ID 1267) will be discontinued.

Route(s): All

2026 World Cup

Special Service on June 16, 19, & 22: One late night round trip will be added for the 8:00pm & 9:00pm FIFA World Cup soccer matches at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Levi's Stadium). The northbound trip will depart River Front Transit Center at 11:30pm and will not serve Scotts Valley. The return trip will depart San Jose Diridon at 12:30am and will serve Scotts Valley and Santa Cruz. On 6/16, an additional northbound trip will depart Santa Cruz at 12:50am, and return from Diridon Station at 1:50am.

Route(s): 18, 18B, 19, 19B

FY26 Summer Service Change, Route 18/18B & 19/19B

Routes 18/18B & 19/19B Summer Service (eff. 6/18/26): Weekdays/Weekends: UCSC loop trips will run at 30-minute peak frequency rather than 15 minutes. Routes 18B & 19B will provide service every 30 minutes to the base of campus. Trip departure and arrival times have been adjusted along the route. Weekdays: Routes 18 & 19 will operate on a single Mon-Fri schedule, not separate MWF and TTh schedules.

Route(s): 40, 41

FY26 Summer Service Change, Route 40 & 41

Route 40 & 41 Summer Service (eff. 6/18/26): Weekdays/Weekends: Cedar & Cathcart (Stop ID 2303) is out of service due to library construction. Trip departure and arrival times have been adjusted along the route.

Route(s): 34

FY26 Summer Service Change, Route 34

Route 34 Summer Service (eff. 6/18/26): Weekdays: Service to Scotts Valley High will not operate in the Summer until the school year begins August 6.

Route(s): 2

Stop 1899 Relocation

Effective April 14, 2026, Stop 1899 at Water & N Branciforte (inbound to Santa Cruz) has been temporarily relocated due to nearby construction. The temporary stop is located further up the hill, before the intersection, at approximately 917 Water Street. Thank you for your patience.

Route(s): 35, 35X

FY26 Summer Service Change, Route 35/35X

Route 35/35X Summer Service (eff. 6/18/26): Weekdays: Two inbound 35X trips (6:10pm from Country Club and 6:34pm from Mountain Store) will become Route 35 trips to provide service to and from Scotts Valley Dr. Trip departure and arrival times have been adjusted along the route.

Route(s): 16

FY26 Summer Service Change, Route 16

Route 16 Summer Service (eff. 6/18/26): Weekdays: Will not operate during the Summer schedule.

Route(s): 2, 2N

FY26 Summer Service Change, Route 2/2N

Route 2/2N Summer Service (eff. 6/18/26): Weekdays/Weekends: Trip departure and arrival times have been adjusted along the route.

Route(s): 1

FY26 Summer Service Change, Route 1

Route 1 Summer Service (eff. 6/18/26): Weekdays/Weekends: Select late night trips will begin at the Boardwalk (Cliff & Beach) at 8:45pm, 9:45pm, and 10:45 prior to starting the regular trip at River Front 15 minutes later. Trip departure and arrival times have been adjusted along the route.

Route(s): 17

FY26 Summer Service Change, Route 17

Route 17 Spring Service (eff. 6/18/26): Weekdays/Weekends: Trip departure and arrival times have been adjusted along the route.

Free Rides for K-12 Students

With Youth Cruz Free, K-12 students can ride METRO for free on any fixed-route bus within Santa Cruz County. Let METRO take you to school, work, the beach, or to meet up with friends!

How it works

Boy getting on bus

K-8 Students

Riders in 8th Grade and under may be asked by the driver to identify their grade level or the school they attend. Students may be asked to provide a Student ID, if one is available.

High School Students

Riders in Grades 9-12 will be asked to show ID to the driver. No registration necessary with a Student ID.

Students Without a Student ID

High school riders without a Student ID can validate grade level by signing up for a free METRO Youth Cruz Free ID. To sign up, please visit one of METRO’s Customer Service windows at the Watsonville Transit Center or Customer Experience Center in downtown Santa Cruz, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Bring a form of ID or proof of grade level and fill out a Youth Cruz Free On-Demand Form. Allow at least 5-10 minutes for processing.

First ID is free. First replacement ID is $2; further replacement IDs are $5.

Download the Youth Cruz Free ID On-Demand Form

For help, call Customer Service: (831) 425-8600 or email youthcruzfree@scmetro.org. 

Requirements for Youth Riding Alone

METRO recommends that youth below 46”in height be accompanied by a parent/guardian, at the parent’s/guardian’s discretion. If riding alone, youth must be able to follow METRO’s Code of Conduct policy and be responsible for themselves. METRO does not assume responsibility for youth traveling alone.

Pilot Program Duration

Youth Cruz Free began on March 1, 2023, and will run as a pilot program until April 3, 2026. 

Why Youth Cruz Free

Youth Cruz Free serves as a beacon of accessibility and empowerment
for young people in Santa Cruz County. By eliminating transportation barriers, METRO aims to cultivate a lifelong habit of transit usage while broadening opportunities and resources for all youth, especially those in historically underserved communities.