For Immediate Release
Date: April 15, 2025
Contact: Danielle Glagola
(831) 420-2550
dglagola@scmtd.com
scmetro.org

Santa Cruz METRO Supports Earth Day with Free Fares Countywide

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Santa Cruz, CA (April 15, 2025): The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) is supporting Earth Day by offering free fares countywide on all fixed-route, ParaCruz, and Highway 17 Express services on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

Since 2002, METRO has been a leader in adopting a more sustainable fleet of buses to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by initially moving to compressed natural gas and hybrid vehicles. In the fall of 2021, METRO furthered its commitment to “going green” by deploying METRO’s first four zero-emission buses (ZEBs) into service, and by the end of 2023, the agency had nine ZEBs deployed in the county, with more coming every year. Additionally, in 2023 METRO approved the purchase of 53 hydrogen-powered, fuel cell electric buses (FCEBs), which at the time, was the largest acquisition of FCEBs in North American history.

“Earth Day serves as a powerful reminder of our collective responsibility to protect and preserve our planet. At METRO, sustainability is at the heart of our mission, and we are proud to provide environmentally friendly transportation options that reduce carbon emissions and foster a healthier future,” said Corey Aldridge, METRO CEO. “Offering free fares on Earth Day is our way of encouraging the community to embrace sustainable travel and join us in our commitment toprotecting our environment for generations to come.”

METRO is celebrating and raising awareness of Earth Day by offering free fares countywide on April 22nd, to assist our community in getting to their Earth Day destinations while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This promotion is a simple reminder that everyone has a role in clearing the air and increasing the health of our community by using alternate forms of transportation, whether it be public transit, riding a bike, or carpooling to our destinations.

Additionally, METRO will also be participating in the City of Santa Cruz and Watsonville’s Earth Day events.

The Santa Cruz Earth Day event will take place on Saturday, April 19th, from 11:30 AM – 4 PM in downtown Santa Cruz. Please feel free to stop by our booth or take a tour of one of our buses wrapped with images from the Monterey Bay to learn more about the environmental benefits of public transit.

The City of Watsonville’s Earth Day event will take place on Sunday, April 27th, in the Watsonville City Plaza from 12 – 3PM. METRO will have eco-friendly games and prizes available.

METRO also gives riders the opportunity to protect Santa Cruz County’s extraordinary natural resources just by simply riding the bus via the One Ride at a Time program. Beginning in January 2023, every ride on a METRO bus donates to partners in protecting the environment, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, and the Bay of Life Fund, thanks to the GO Santa Cruz ridesharing incentive program. To participate, riders simply need to log 25 rides to make a $10 donation to one of METRO’s local environmental non-profit partners.

If you have not used METRO services in the past, we encourage you to try us out for free while reducing greenhouse gas emissions in support of Earth Day on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.

For more information on METRO visit scmetro.org or to learn more about METRO’s One Ride at a Time program visit scmetro.org/onerideatatime.

About Us

Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO)


Established in 1968, METRO’s mission is to provide easy-to-use, convenient transportation for residents while protecting the environment and building better communities. METRO directly operates county-wide, fixed-route and Highway 17 commuter service, with connections to Santa Clara County and Monterey Salinas Transit at our Watsonville Transit Center. The agency also operates ParaCruz paratransit service. Today METRO operates a fleet of 104 buses on 20 fixed routes and 32 paratransit vehicles.

Every ride on a METRO bus takes cars off the road, significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and supports economic opportunity and quality of life in our community. Moving into the future, METRO strives to meet the following goals:

  • Increase transit ridership to 7 million trips annually within the next five years
  • Transition to a zero-emissions fleet with a mix of hydrogen and electric vehicles
  • Increase affordable housing at METRO-owned transit centers to 175 units in the next 10 years.

For more information, visit scmetro.org.