Youth Cruz Free

Nearby Transit Routes

Routes 72 & 74S & 75:

Green Valley Closure June 2025

Start: June 1, 2025, 6:00 PM
End: June 7, 2025, 12:30 AM

2025 Independence Day

Start: June 30, 2025, 4:00 PM
End: July 5, 2025, 6:59 AM

Routes 41:

FY25 Summer Service Change, Route 41

Start: June 5, 2025, 7:00 PM
End: July 3, 2025, 7:00 PM

Routes 2:

FY25 Summer Service Change, Route 2

Start: June 5, 2025, 7:00 PM
End: July 3, 2025, 7:00 PM

Routes 1:

FY25 Summer Service Change, Route 1

Start: June 5, 2025, 7:00 PM
End: July 3, 2025, 7:00 PM

Routes 40:

FY25 Summer Service Change, Route 40

Start: June 5, 2025, 7:00 PM
End: July 3, 2025, 7:00 PM

Routes 73:

FY25 Summer Service Change, Route 73

Start: June 5, 2025, 7:00 PM
End: July 3, 2025, 7:00 PM

Routes 17:

FY25 Summer Service Change, Route 17

Start: June 5, 2025, 7:00 PM
End: July 3, 2025, 7:00 PM

Routes 3A & 3B & 4W & 18 & 19 & 20 & 40 & 41 & 55 & 73:

2025 AIDS LifeCycle Bicycle Event

Start: May 30, 2025, 7:00 PM
End: June 2, 2025, 7:00 PM

Routes 73:

Route 73 Park Ave Detour

Start: April 17, 2025, 7:00 AM
End: June 19, 2025, 6:59 AM

Routes 3A:

Murray St IB(West) Closure, March 2025

Start: March 12, 2025, 4:15 PM

Routes 18:

FY25 Summer Service Change, Route 18

Start: June 5, 2025, 7:00 PM
End: July 3, 2025, 7:00 PM

Routes 19:

FY25 Summer Service Change, Route 19

Start: June 5, 2025, 7:00 PM
End: July 3, 2025, 7:00 PM

Routes 3A:

FY25 Summer Service Change, Route 3A

Start: June 5, 2025, 7:00 PM
End: July 3, 2025, 7:00 PM

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

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.-10 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.