Reimagine METRO
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More Buses, More Frequency, More Destinations
Reimagine METRO brought waves of change to our local transit network! We reimagined bus routes and frequencies to better meet our community’s needs.
The first wave of Reimagine METRO service changes was implemented in December 2023-March 2024. Another wave of even more big changes arrived in June-September 2024.
Major Service Increases
Through Reimagine METRO, Santa Cruz METRO increased service by over 30 percent. With the help of new, one-time funding through the Senate Bill 125: Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program and intensified operator recruitment, we have been able to improve frequencies and increase service throughout Santa Cruz County.
The Reimagine METRO network includes:
- Frequent service in east Santa Cruz, Live Oak, Soquel, Aptos and Watsonville.
- Saturday and Sunday frequencies that match weekdays on most routes, including Routes 1, 2, 3, 18, 19, 17, 20, 35, 75.
- All-day express service between Watsonville and Santa Cruz on Route 90X, every 30 minutes on weekdays and every 60 minutes on weekends.
- More consistent service on Highway 17, including service from Santa Cruz to San Jose, every 30 minutes, every day.
With these changes now fully in place, METRO has increased the amount of transit service available in our community and made transit more useful, attractive, and relevant to our residents, workers, and visitors.
Here is an overview of how our system has grown and improved.
The First Wave – Phase 1 Changes
METRO introduced the following service improvements in late 2023:
- Higher frequency at UCSC. METRO introduced service every 15 minutes on Routes 18 and 19.
- Simpler and more direct service between Santa Cruz and Watsonville. Service speed increased on Routes 1 and 2 from Watsonville to Santa Cruz, by taking Highway 1 between Watsonville and Aptos. Route 90X added express service at peak hours.
- Simpler and more frequent service in Watsonville. Most Watsonville residents now live near a route that runs at least every 30 minutes on weekdays.
- East-West service in Santa Cruz. New Route 3 piloted a direct service between UCSC, Downtown Santa Cruz, and Live Oak. METRO suspended the direct service in June 2024 while a layover facility is planned at UCSC, which will allow buses to maintain better on time performance.
- Service added between the San Lorenzo Valley and Santa Cruz. All trips on Route 35 now head directly to Downtown Santa Cruz. Emeline St is served by Route 4.
METRO unveiled the remainder of Phase 1 service improvements in March 2024:
- More evening service. Routes 2, 3B and 73 now provide service until midnight.
- More express service on Route 90X.
- New Route 78. New all-day service offered on West Beach Street, Ohlone Parkway, and to the new County Social Service offices at Westridge. This route also serves Watsonville Community Hospital and Freedom Centre.
The Second Wave – Phase 2 Improvements
The second wave of Reimagine METRO service improvements rolled out in June 2024:
- 15-minute service on Route 1. Route 1 now runs every 15-minutes from 6 am-9 pm and serves Soquel Ave. instead of Water St. View the Route 1 June 2024 Map.
- Routes 18 & 19 continue to provide service every 15-minutes.
- Hwy-17 Express now operates every 30-minutes during peak periods.
- Route 90X now operates every 30-minutes on weekdays and hourly on weekends.
September 2024 ushered in the final Reimagine METRO service improvements:
- New Route 16 is reintroduced, providing service every 30 minutes from downtown Santa Cruz to UCSC via Laurel and Bay.
- Hwy-17 Express now operates every 30 minutes all day, seven days a week.
- Increased weekend service on Route 35 that matches weekday service levels.
Benefits of Reimagine METRO
METRO’s reimagined bus system will help METRO reach its goal of doubling ridership to more than 7 million rides per year by 2027. This equates to a VMT reduction of 9,852,903 miles per year and a CO2 emission reduction of 40,068 metric tons per year. Meaning less congestion and emissions in Santa Cruz County. That’s transformational.
METRO’s reimagined network brings livable transportation alternatives to residents—no matter what age, income or race. Equitable and easy-to-use transportation options for everyone, including freedom of travel to education, work, and health care, are all signs of a healthy community. Finally, but certainly not least, METRO’ reimagined network brings opportunities to better align housing with quality transportation, which will bring enhanced State and federal funding to our region.
Project Resources
Reimagine METRO Alternatives Report
Reimagine METRO Phase 2 Report
Reimagine METRO Public Forum Presentation