Bus stop improvement project

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Route(s): 19, 19B, 18, 18B

FY26 Spring Service Change, Route 19

Route 19 Spring Service (eff. 3/12/26): Weekdays: Will operate on separate Monday/Wednesday/Friday and Tuesday/Thursday schedules (like Route 16) to account for different class schedules/passing periods. The 7:00am departure from River Front Transit Center will be adjusted to 7:04am.

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

2026 Santa Cruz Mile Race

Due to The Santa Cruz Mile road race event running through downtown Santa Cruz from approximately 8:00 AM–11:00 AM on March 15, riders should expect bus delays and temporary route detours near Pacific Avenue and nearby streets. Please allow extra travel time. Download the Transit App for real-time information.

Route(s): 3B, 3A

FY26 Spring Service Change, Route 3B

Weekdays/Weekends: The timepoint for 7th Ave & Capitola Rd will be adjusted three minutes earlier for all outbound trips from River Front Transit Center.

Route(s): 34

FY26 Spring Service Change, Route 34

Route 34 Spring Service (eff. 3/12/26): Weekdays: The 2:40pm departure from Scotts Valley Transit Center will depart five minutes later at 2:45pm.

Route(s): 35X, 35

FY26 Spring Service Change, Route 35X

Route 35X Spring Service (eff. 3/12/26): Weekdays: The 3:16pm and 4:16pm departures from Scotts Valley Transit Center to Boulder Creek will depart three minutes later at 3:19pm and 4:19pm to allow riders coming from Scotts Valley Dr on Route 34 to transfer to Route 35X.

Route(s): 3A

Murray Bridge St Closure, eff. March 2025

Due to the ongoing Murray Street Bridge Seismic Retrofit Project, Route 3A is operating on adjusted routing in both directions. This routing is now reflected in METRO's standard schedules. Visit https://scmetro.org/seabrightshuttle for more information about the Seabright Shuttle. Service on Seabright Avenue will return when construction allows. Riders are encouraged to check current routing and stop locations on the Routes & Schedules page, use the Transit App for trip planning and real-time information and alerts, or visit rt.scmetro.org.

Route(s): 17

FY26 Spring Service Change, Route 17

Route 17 Spring Service (eff. 3/12/26): Weekdays: The 3:00pm, 4:15pm, and 5:35pm northbound departures from River Front Transit Center in Santa Cruz have been adjusted between 5 and 15 minutes earlier to improve connections to a new Amtrak Capitol Corridor schedule.

Route(s): 18, 18B, 19, 19B

FY26 Spring Service Change, Route 18

Route 18 Spring Service (eff. 3/12/26): Weekdays: Will operate on separate Monday/Wednesday/Friday & Tuesday/Thursday schedules (like Route 16) to account for different class schedules/passing periods.

Route(s): 35, 35X

FY26 Spring Service Change, Route 35B

Route 35B Spring Service (eff. 3/12/26): Weekends: Service to Big Basin Redwoods State Park will return for the Spring through Fall schedules. Some departure times from both Scotts Valley Transit Center and Big Basin State Park have been adjusted by up to 15 minutes to accommodate connections to/from the Highway 17 Express.

CLEANER, MORE COMFORTABLE BUS STOPS FOR SOUTH SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

Using funds awarded by the Clean CA Program, METRO installed 30 bus shelters, 30 bus benches, and 30 trash cans at key bus stops as part of the Bus Stop Improvement Project.

METRO included the bus stops listed in the chart below in our Clean CA grant and upgraded them between August 2024-March 2025.

Stop IDStop NameCity/AreaShelter/BenchBig Belly Bin
1513High & MooreSanta CruzXX
1512High & MooreSanta CruzXX
1231Bay & Nobel DrSanta CruzXX
1652Mt. Hermon Dr & Kings Village LnScotts ValleyXX
1828Soquel Dr & OrchardSanta Cruz CountyXX
1683Portola Dr & 21st AveSanta Cruz CountyXX
1685Portola Dr & 24th AveSanta Cruz CountyXX
1682Portola Dr & Clear Water CtSanta Cruz CountyXX
217317th Ave & Matthews LnSanta Cruz CountyXX
1364E. Cliff Dr & 15th AveSanta Cruz CountyXX
1363E. Cliff Dr (East Cliff Village)Santa Cruz CountyXX
1081Freedom Blvd & Sydney AveWatsonvilleX 
1080Freedom Blvd & Atkinson LnWatsonvilleX 
2594Freedom Blvd & K-MartWatsonvilleX 
2692Hwy 9 (SLV HS)Santa Cruz CountyXX
2592Pacific Ave + Viaduct Ln (Wharf) Santa CruzXX
1820Soquel Dr & DaubenbissSanta Cruz CountyXX
1142Main + Ohlone Pkwy WatsonvilleX 
2734Main + Pennsylvania Dr WatsonvilleX 
1530Hwy 9 (SLV High School)Santa Cruz CountyX 
1531Hwy 9 (SLV High School)Santa Cruz CountyXX
1492Graham Hill Rd & Covered Bridge Rd NSanta Cruz CountyXX
1842Soquel Dr & CalabriaSanta Cruz CountyX 
1059E Beach & MarchantWatsonvilleX 
2342Mission & KingSanta CruzX 
1893Water & OceanSanta CruzX 
1795Soquel Ave & FrederickSanta CruzX 
1143Main & S Green Valley RdWatsonvilleX 
1144Main & S Green Valley RdWatsonvilleX 
1226Bay & MissionSanta CruzX 
1797Soquel Ave & HagemannSanta Cruz X
1801Soquel Dr & La FondaSanta Cruz X
1848Soquel Dr & State Park DrSanta Cruz County X
1849Soquel Dr & E. Ledyard Way (Aptos Library)Santa Cruz County X
1821Soquel Dr & DaubenbissSanta Cruz County X
WTCWatsonville Transit CenterWatsonville X

The new bus shelters funded by the Clean CA grant provide covered areas to protect passengers from rain, extreme heat, and other weather conditions, making their wait more comfortable. These shelters include schedules, maps, and route information to help passengers make informed travel decisions. Additionally, the shelters increase the visibility of transit stops, ensuring passengers know where to wait.

How Stops Were Selected

METRO operates more than 710 bus stops and is dedicated to improving the transit rider’s experience by strategically placing shelters and benches where they will have the most positive impact. The improvements to the bus stops focus on South Santa Cruz County along the Watsonville-Santa Cruz transit corridor. This area primarily serves transit-dependent individuals, including seniors, students, people with disabilities, and low-income residents who rely on bus service for their daily transportation needs.

The Watsonville-Santa Cruz Intercity Transit Speed and Reliability Study, funded through a Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant, identified opportunities for pedestrian, bus stop, and transit priority improvements. These improvements enhance the convenience, access, and reliability of METRO’s core services.

Project Partners

The Bus Stop Improvement Project was a collaborative effort between the Clean CA Program, Caltrans District 5, and METRO. Its goal was to enhance the cleanliness and appeal of bus stops while addressing critical needs in the transit system, aligning with the California State Transportation Agency’s (CalSTA) climate action objectives.

For more information on Clean CA Local Grant Program visit https://cleancalifornia.dot.ca.gov/local-grant-program