Youth Cruz Free

Nearby Transit Routes

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): 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.

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

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.

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 began on March 1, 2023, and will run as a pilot program until April 3, 2026.

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.