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 917 Water Street.
Thank you for your patience.
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.
Start: March 12, 2025, 9:15 AM
What Happens If Bus Service Funding Ends?
METRO’s pilot program, Reimagine METRO, expanded service across Santa Cruz County—resulting in increased ridership and fewer car trips on local roads.
This program is funded through a temporary source that expires in 2027. As that funding ends, maintaining current service levels will depend on identifying a long-term funding solution.
Without additional funding, service levels and frequency would be reduced county-wide, and some of the recent improvements to traffic, air quality, and community mobility may not be sustained.
To reduce this structural deficit METRO has prepared an Alternative Service Report to illustrate possible impacts to service and the agency.
This report is to illustrate possible impacts, not an adopted service plan. Final service decisions would require board action, public notice, and Title VI review.
TRAFFIC GETS WORSE.
Santa Cruz County already experiences congestion along key routes and coastal corridors. Transit helps offset that by moving more people with fewer vehicles.
If service levels are reduced, more trips are made by car— adding to traffic and increasing delays across the network.
SANTA CRUZ becomes MORE POLLUTED.
Public transit helps reduce the number of cars on the road, lowering greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. When transit service is less frequent or less accessible, more trips shift to personal vehicles—leading to increased traffic and higher emissions.
In a region known for its coastline, redwood forests, and sensitive ecosystems, even small increases in pollution can impact air quality, water systems, and local wildlife.
Fewer transit options can mean greater environmental strain over time.
SANTA CRUZ becomes LESS AFFORDABLE.
Public transit offers a lower-cost alternative to driving, helping households save on gas, parking, and vehicle ownership.
With fewer transit options, more residents may need to rely on cars—adding to overall household expenses.
getting to work becomes more difficult.
Expanded service has improved connections between neighborhoods, job centers, and cities across the county.
Reduced frequency and fewer routes can limit access to employment—especially for workers with nontraditional hours or long commutes.
seniors lose access to essential trips.
Public transit provides a critical connection to groceries, healthcare, and community services for older adults.
Reduced service can mean fewer route options, longer travel times, and limited access to essential destinations —particularly for those who no longer drive.
mobility becomes more limited for people with disabilities.
METRO’s fixed-route and paratransit services help people with disabilities travel independently.
Changes to service levels may affect availability, coverage, and convenience—making it harder to reach work, appointments, and daily needs.
Students have fewer ways to get to school.
METRO connects students to schools, colleges, and after school programs across Santa Cruz County. Increased frequency and expanded service hours have made transit a more reliable option.
If service levels are reduced, fewer routes and longer wait times may make it harder for students to attend classes consistently—especially those without access to a car.
Here’s What Service Cuts Would Mean for Santa Cruz
System-Wide Impact
40% of service eliminated across the network
No more 15-minute service—routes increase to 30+ minute wait times or longer
Multiple routes permanently cut, shrinking the overall system footprint
Night and weekend service significantly reduced or eliminated
Access & Rider Impact
100,000+ Santa Cruz County residents lose access to frequent transit within a 10-minute walk
Reduced mobility for essential riders, including seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income communities
Longer wait times and fewer connections make daily trips unreliable or impossible
Possible elimination of the Youth Cruz Free program, removing fare-free access for K–12 students
Workforce & Community Impact
100+ METRO employees face layoffs, impacting local jobs and service reliability
Increased traffic congestion as more residents are forced to drive
Higher emissions and environmental impacts due to reduced transit use
Why Funding Matters
Without an ongoing funding source, METRO cannot sustain the current level of service.
Between 2023 and 2026, Santa Cruz METRO expanded service across the county—adding more frequent buses, increasing evening and weekend service, and improving access for over 100,000 residents. Resulting in a ridership increase of 43% since the implementation of Reimagine METRO.
These improvements were funded by a one-time state grant that will be fully expended in 2027. Additionally, operating costs from wages, benefits, and fuel continue to rise. Without a replacement source of revenue METRO will need to undergo major service cuts, headcount reductions, and expense cutbacks. Resulting in less frequent buses, later start times, reduced evening/weekend service, fewer staff, and a smaller footprint in Santa Cruz County.
Zero Santa Cruz residents have access to frequent service within a 10-minute walk.
Roughly 40% Service reduction across the county
No 15-20 minute service. All routes increase to 30+ minute wait times during peak service
Evening service slows to 60 minutes or longer
Reduced night service with cut off at 9 pm
Limited weekend service with reduced frequencies
Reduced support staff and administrative staff, resulting in over 100 fewer budgeted positions
Ridership gains would likely erode
Youth Cruz Free, providing free fares to youth in grades K-12, may face elimination
Transit-supportive housing and development would be harder to advance
Workforce & Community Impact
Increased traffic congestion as more residents are forced to drive
Higher emissions and environmental impacts due to reduced transit use
100+ METRO employees face layoffs, impacting local jobs and service reliability
*These changes are shown to illustrate possible impacts, not an adopted service plan. Final service decisions would require board action, public notice, and Title VI review.
Help us prioritize our services
Take our 1-minute survey to help us decide which service to keep or cut if we don’t get funding.
