Youth Cruz Free – SC Metro

Boys on bus looking out the window

Youth Cruz Free

Nearby Transit Routes

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Route(s): 18, 19, 20, 11

Hagar Dr Closed 6/22-6/26

Beginning June 22, 2026, through June 26, 2026, Hagar Drive will be closed to all traffic daily 7am-5p. METRO buses will not serve any stops along Hagar Drive during this time. All service will detour via Coolidge Drive in both directions. Please plan accordingly. Track your bus at https://rt.scmetro.org or download the Transit App.

Route(s): 3B

Summer Service Change eff. 6/18

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): 18, 18B, 19, 19B

Summer Service Change eff. 6/18

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

Summer Service Change eff. 6/18

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

Summer Service Change eff. 6/18

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 Temporary 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 1007 Water Street. Thank you for your patience.

Route(s): 35, 35X

Summer Service Change eff. 6/18

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): 2, 2N

Summer Service Change eff. 6/18

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

Summer Service Change eff. 6/18

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

Summer Service Change eff. 6/18

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.

Woman standing on the buas holding her phone looking out the bus window

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 is a multi-year pilot program beginning March 1, 2023. Pilot subject to cancellation with public notice.

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.

Santa Cruz METRO routes provide access to approximately 90% of schools in Santa Cruz County, with 67 of 74 schools located within a half-mile of a bus stop.

Santa Cruz METRO routes cover approximately 90% of schools in Santa Cruz County with 67 out of 74 schools having a stop within half a mile.