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Our Mission
Our mission is to protect the earth by providing sustainable transportation options for all.
Our Vision
At Santa Cruz METRO we understand that no matter whose scorecard is being used, the environment is losing.
Since 1968, METRO has focused on reducing harmful carbon emissions in the Monterey Bay by providing fast, frequent, and reliable public transportation options for Santa Cruz County with a vision towards 100%, zero-emission bus service.
As the climate crisis deepens, METRO seeks to further protect the environment by donating our time and a percentage of our contributions from vendors and customers to help organizations in the Monterey Bay so they can be effective in protecting what is irreplaceable, furthering our mission to protect the environment and increase ridership.
At the same time, METRO seeks to develop affordable, transit-oriented housing throughout Santa Cruz County in an effort to improve the quality of life for those who desire to reside in this amazing location of the Monterey Bay.
Staying true to our values during 50-plus years in business has helped us create a transit agency we are proud to run and work for. To stay in business for at least 50 more, we must protect the place we call home.
METRO Overview
A message from our CEO
No current “Messages from the CEO”
Planning
Department Overview
METRO’s Planning Department develops and maintains a robust network of transit service for Santa Cruz County. We design bus routes, schedules, and services that meet the diverse needs of our community. Our vision is to create and maintain a transit network that is useful and attractive for many people’s trips and relevant to our community’s needs. Our county’s mix of rural and urban areas plus its dynamic geographic and topographical landscape offer a unique set of transportation challenges. Our planners create solutions to meet them.
Visit our Plans & Projects page to learn more about the numerous planning studies, programs and projects our Planning Department oversees.
Our Partners
To maximize transportation planning resources in our region, we partner with the organizations below. Together, we ensure Santa Cruz County has an effective and sustainable transportation system for generations to come.
Finance
Financial Reporting
Every year METRO completes a comprehensive Annual Budget and a Financial Audit. These are public documents to provide full transparency into METRO’s funding sources and how those funds are used. All METRO financial reports can be found in the Resource Library.
Funding Sources
Grant Funding
METRO relies on grants from other entities for more than ##% of its operating revenue and XX% of its capital funding.
Transportation Development Act (TDA), State Transit Assistance (STA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) annually allocate funds by formula while others such as the Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District’s AB2766 Motor Vehicle Emissions Reduction Program and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) discretionary planning grants are competitively awarded based on merit.
Santa Cruz METRO relies on both formula and discretionary grant revenue to support its operating and capital budgets.
Measure D
Need additional info from Danielle[h]
Resource Library
Title VI Discrimination Policy
METRO ParaCruz Service Eligibility and Appeals Process
Bikes on Fixed Route Buses Policy
- Attachment A – Professional Verification of Disability Status Form
- Attachment B – Request for Reduced Children’s Fare with Discount Fare Card Form
- Attachment C – Confirmation of Legal Blindness Form
Website Privacy and Use Policy
Social Media Management Guidelines
Social Equity and Community Funding Policy
- Attachment: Community Funding Request Form
Public Records Requests
Inspection of Public Records
Public Records maintained by METRO are available for public inspection during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 am-5 pm. Requests to inspect or copy public records should be specific, focused, and not interfere with the ordinary business operations of the METRO. Written requests are encouraged unless the requestor seeks records that are maintained for immediate public inspection.
METRO may refuse to disclose any records, which are exempt from disclosure under the Public Records Act (Govt. Code Section 6254 et. seq.). Inspection of records will be allowed upon conditions determined by METRO. Copies of records that are not exempt from disclosure will be made available upon pre-payment of the copying costs ($0.10 per page).
How to Submit a Written Public Records Request
Online Submission
Submit a request online through our Online Customer Service Report
Downloadable Submission Form
Download a PDF Public Records Request Form: Print the form, fill it out completely, and then choose one of the following options:
- Mail or hand-deliver to METRO Administrative Office:
Santa Cruz METRO, 110 Vernon Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, Attn: Legal Department - Email completed PDF attachment to:
public_records@scmtd.com - Fax:
(831) 469-3658, Santa Cruz METRO, Attn: Legal Department - Call Rickie-Ann Kegley, Paralegal at:
(831) 420-6080, ext. 160
Information Needed for a Request
Please include the following information in your request:
- Name of the requestor
- Name of the organization (if any)
- Mailing address
- Contact telephone number
- Specific description of the records requested
Legal Claims Against METRO
Filing a Legal Claim
METRO’s Legal Department investigates and adjusts all claims filed against METRO. To file a claim, a claim form must be filled out in its entirety and must be submitted to METRO’s Legal Department before it can be considered by METRO’s Board of Directors.
Filing Requirements
To file a claim for money or damages against METRO, you must comply with Government Code Section 911.2, which states:
“A claim relating to a cause of action for death or for injury to person or to personal property or growing crops shall be presented as provided in Article 2 (commencing with Section 915) of this chapter not later than six months after the accrual of the cause of action. A claim relating to any other cause of action shall be presented as provided in Article 2 (commencing with Section 915) of this chapter not later than one year after the accrual of the cause of action.”
Completing the Claim Form
- Read the form carefully and answer all questions completely.
- Be sure the form is signed, dated, and includes a monetary amount.
- Vehicle and property damage claims require the registered owner’s completion and signature. To expedite processing, please also include a copy of the vehicle registration.
- Provide a detailed explanation of the incident, its cause, and why METRO is responsible.
- If you have any information or evidence that supports the claim, please include it with your claim or contact METRO’s Claims Investigator at (831) 420-6080, ext. 1603.
- Attach all supporting documents. If the property damage is between $500 and $5,000, please attach two estimates or a paid receipt, and any other documentation supporting the amount of your claim.
WARNING: Providing you with this information and form should not be construed as an admission of liability by METRO. While METRO will investigate the accident/incident and may enter settlement negotiations with you, METRO does not waive your obligation to comply with the statute of limitation for the filing of claims against a public entity. If you desire to consult an attorney, you should do so immediately.
[a]Danielle to provide
[b]Confirm that METRO is keepin this mission and vision. This is the mission statement used on the current site: “To provide easy-to-use, convenient transportation for residents while protecting the environment and building better communities.”
[c]Include a Planning Dept. contact email or phone number in this section?
[d]Include a Programming Dept. contact email or phone number in this section?
[e]Need numbers
[f]Check with Chuck. I suppose we’re currently at 88% grant funded for operating revenue, 12% fare box. Capital programs are essentially 100% grant funded. What might be more relevant is a breakdown of sources (state, federal, local)
[g]I should have a nice summary of the grant source tallies in a few weeks.
[h]Need additional info for this section
[i]Need KPI links