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Youth Cruz Free

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Nearby Transit Routes

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Route(s): 18, 19

Fall Service Change eff. 9/10!

Routes 18 & 19 Fall Service (eff. 9/10/26): Weekdays: Will return to separate Monday/Wednesday/Friday and Tuesday/Thursday schedules and 15-minute peak frequency. Weekends: Will operate at 20-minute frequency; Routes 18B/19B discontinued.

Route(s): 2, 2N

Fall Service Change eff. 9/10!

Route 2/2N Fall Service (eff. 9/10/26): Weekdays/Weekends: Departure times from Santa Cruz and Watsonville will be adjusted slightly so Routes 1 and 2 arrive at Cabrillo to facilitate transfers. These stops will no longer be timepoints but will remain as regular stops: Main & S Green Valley Rd and Capitola Rd & 7th Ave.

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): All

2026 Santa Cruz County Fair

Service to the County Fair will operate September 16-20, 2026. The route will begin at the South County Government Center on Westridge Dr, where parking is available to park and ride, then proceed to Watsonville Transit Center Lane 2, and then continue to the County Fairgrounds with stops along the way. Return service will also serve both the Transit Center and the Government Center. Receive discount admission when taking the bus!

Route(s): 11, 20

Fall Service Change eff. 9/10!

UCSC Routes 11, 16, 18B/19B, & 20 Fall Service (eff. 9/10/26): Trip departure and arrival times have been adjusted along the route. Route 16 returns for school year. Routes 18B/19B discontinued.

Route(s): 1

Fall Service Change eff. 9/10!

Route 1 Fall Service (eff. 9/10/26): Weekdays/Weekends: Departure times from Santa Cruz and Watsonville will be adjusted slightly so Routes 1 and 2 arrive at Cabrillo to facilitate transfers. These stops will no longer be timepoints but will remain as regular stops: Airport Blvd (Freedom Centre) and Soquel Dr (Dominican Hospital). Service from the Boardwalk is discontinued until 2027.

Route(s): 35, 35X

Fall Service Change eff. 9/10!

Route 35/35X Fall Service (eff. 9/10/26): Weekdays/Weekends: Trip departure and arrival times have been adjusted along the route. These stops will no longer be timepoints but will remain as regular stops: Scotts Valley Dr & Granite Creek Rd and Hwy 17 & Pasatiempo Dr . Weekdays: The 9:00pm outbound trip from Santa Cruz will serve both Mountain Store and Country Club, following the pattern of the 10:00 and 11:00 trips.

Route(s): 73

Fall Service Change eff. 9/10!

Route 73 Fall Service (eff. 9/10/26): Weekdays/Weekends: Trip departure and arrival times have been adjusted along the route. Main & Ohlone Pkwy will no longer be a timepoint but will remain as a regular stop. Weekdays: All trips will now serve Capitola Mall. The route will operate at a 40-minute frequency between the start of service and approximately 5:00pm.

Route(s): 41

Fall Service Change eff. 9/10!

Route 41 Fall Service (eff. 9/10/26): Weekdays: Trip departure and arrival times have been adjusted along the route.

Route(s): 72, 72W, 75

Fall Service Change eff. 9/10!

Route 72/72W & 75 Fall Service (eff. 9/10/26): Weekdays: Main & S Green Valley Rd (Stop ID 1144) will no longer be a timepoint but will remain as a regular stop. Route 75, Weekdays: Trip departure and arrival times have been adjusted along the route.

Route(s): 55

Fall Service Change eff. 9/10!

Route 55 Fall Service (eff. 9/10/26): Weekdays/Weekends: Stockton Ave & Esplanade (Stop ID 1862) will no longer be a timepoint but will remain as a regular stop.

Route(s): 78, 79

Fall Service Change eff. 9/10!

Route 78 & 79 Fall Service (eff. 9/10/26): Weekdays/Weekends: Trip departure and arrival times have been adjusted along the route.

Route(s): 17

Fall Service Change eff. 9/10!

Route 17 Fall Service (eff. 9/10/26): Weekdays/Weekends: Trip departure and arrival times have been adjusted along the route. Weekdays: Trips that served only Scotts Valley but not Santa Cruz have been discontinued; all trips will serve Santa Cruz.

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.