Santa Cruz METRO Transit District

METRO’s newly appointed CEO/General Manager, Michael Tree, had the pleasure of meeting with California’s 20th Congressional District Representative Jimmy Panetta and staff this past Friday, May 6th to discuss potential federal funding sources related to the agency. We look forward to the continued collaboration with Rep. Jimmy Panetta on these projects. #publictransportation #publictransit

METRO offers free fares countywide, today, for Earth Day. #earthday #earthday2022 #publictransit #publictransportation

Santa Cruz METRO Supports Earth Day with Free Fares Countywide Friday, April 22, 2022. METRO is celebrating and raising awareness of Earth Day by offering free fares countywide on Friday, April 22nd, to assist our community in getting to their Earth Day destinations while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This promotion is a simple reminder that everyone has a role in clearing the air and increasing the health of our community by using alternate forms of transportation wheth...er it be public transit, riding a bike, or carpooling to our destinations. If you have not used METRO services in the past we encourage you try us out free while reducing greenhouse gas emissions in support of Earth Day on Friday, April 22, 2022. For more information on METRO visit scmtd.com or to view METRO’s current schedule visit scmtd.com/en/routes/schedule.

Santa Cruz METRO Lifts Mandatory Face Mask Mandate for Vaccinated Persons, Effective Immediately Santa Cruz METRO has decided to lift its’ mandatory face mask mandate for vaccinated staff and riders, per Monday’s announcement from TSA, advising public transportation operators that they no longer need to enforce the federal face mask mandate effective today, Tuesday, April 19, 2022. Due to this announcement from TSA, effective today, Tuesday, April 19, 2022, METRO will no long...er be requiring face masks for vaccinated individuals; instead the agency is strongly recommending face masks to be worn on METRO vehicles and at Transit Centers. Unvaccinated persons will still be required to wear a face mask onboard METRO vehicles and while inside a Transit Center. To read the full press release please visit http://www.scmtd.com//2022-04-19_METRO_Mask-Mandate-Lifted For more information on the rescinded TSA Security Directive, visit https://www.transit.dot.gov/TransitMaskUp.

Please join the Santa Cruz METRO is extending a warm welcome to our new CEO/General Manager, Michael Tree, who will be starting with METRO on Monday, April 25th. CEO Tree comes to METRO with over 27 years of experience in the public transit industry and city management. Most recently serving as Executive Director at LAVTA while simultaneously serving as Executive Director for the Tri-Valley San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority. During his tenure at these agencies, Mi...chael focused on increasing connectivity and ease of use for riders by rising route frequency and expanding travel options. To read the full press release, please visit http://scmtd.com///news/METRO_WelcomesNewCEO-GM_032522.pdf #publictransit #publictransportation

Join Santa Cruz METRO Transit District this 4th of July at the Scotts Valley Parade hosted by Scotts Valley Recreation and the Watsonville Spirit of the Neighborhood Mayor's Bike Ride hosted by City of Watsonville Parks and Community Services Department. Both events will features METRO's new electric buses. Come celebrate Independence Day with us! For more information visit http://www.scottsvalley.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=126 and https://www.cityofwatsonville.org//Parks-Community-Services

Santa Cruz METRO Transit District mask mandate remains in effect until September 13, 2021 per the Federal TSA Security Directive. Please be advised that the recent changes from the CDC and State of California on updated mask guidance does not impact public transportation. METRO would like to advise our riders that public transportation continues to follow mask mandates from the Federal TSA Security Directive 1582/84-21-01 Security Measures Face Mask Requirements that was ...instated May 11, 2021 and has been extended to September 13, 2021. This directive requires that all members of the public wear a face mask while using public transportation, waiting at a bus stop, and visiting a Transit Center. As this is a Federal TSA mandate, METRO and all public transportation will need to continue to enforce the mask mandate until September 13th or until the order is rescinded. METRO continues to provide complimentary masks onboard our buses. We appreciate all of our riders continued support in following this mask mandate to ensure the safety of our employees and fellow riders. Thank you for wearing your mask when using METRO services and while on METRO property. To read the full TSA Security Directive visit https://www.tsa.gov/sit/default/files/sd-1582-84-21-01a.pdf

Thank you to all who attended the grand opening of Cruise Coffee Company at METRO's Scotts Valley Transit Center. It was a fun day filled with great food, drinks, and a car show. If you missed the event, Cruise Cafe is open every day from 7AM - 3PM, come check it out.

Join us this Saturday, June 12th in welcoming Cruise Coffee Company Cafe to the METRO's Scotts Valley Transit Center. Tomorrow's Grand Opening Event includes a car show from 10AM - 12PM, live music 12PM - 1PM, cake tasting, paw-cutteries (for our four legged friends), kids treats, cold brew bike, open Cafe, raffles, and shopping. Location: 246 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley, CA

Santa Cruz METRO Transit District is now hiring for Bus Operators, Facilities Maintenance Worker, and Upholsterer. Apply today at: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/scmtd

Santa Cruz METRO Transit District's summer service begins tomorrow, Thursday, June 10, 2021. Check out the Summer Headways for details. As summer arrives and the county re-opens, METRO is making changes to improve service, including a new route, service additions on existing routes, and minor schedule changes to improve service reliability. Please see the below for details:... New service: A new route, Route 18, will provide 30-minute frequency and serve Westside Santa Cruz and UCSC, along Laurel St., Mission St, Western Drive, and the UCSC campus loop via the Main Gate. This route will run from downtown Santa Cruz and Laurel St to UCSC to replace Route 16. It will also run along Mission St, providing all-day access to shopping and services on that corridor in place of Route 3. Route 20 will now operate all day along its Delaware Ave./Natural Bridges Drive/Western Drive main route no longer switching to the Safeway route in the evenings. On weekends, the Route 71 6:10am trip that serves both Crestview and Clifford will now depart from Freedom Centre on the Crestview route before serving Watsonville Transit Center. All passengers may remain on the bus as the bus continues in service on the Clifford route. Service additions: Route 10 will extend to the Boardwalk area, new midday service will run on Route 42, and daily hourly service will run on Route 55 during summer only. Routes 19, 35, 40, 41, 66, 68, 74S, 79 and Highway 17 will also see additional service. Minor schedule changes will be made on Routes 69A, 69W, 71, 72/72W, 75 and 91X to improve reliability. ParaCruz service will not be impacted by these changes to fixed route service. To review these modifications in detail, please visit our news bulletins page: https://www.scmtd.com/metro-news-bulletins. Please check our schedules page for the preview of summer service: https://www.scmtd.com/routes. The Summer Headways Bus Rider's Guide is now available on all Buses & Transit Centers. A PDF version of the Summer Headways can also be found at https://scmtd.com/media/bkg/202140/publications/headways.pdf Please also note that METRO is in the process of updating bus stop schedules and maps with the summer schedule. This process will take a few weeks to finalize. Please see the above summer service schedule page for the current schedule in the meantime.

#TransitStandsTogether

Our hearts and prayers go out to all Valley Transportation Authority employees and their families. This is a tragic event and we grieve with our neighboring transit agency. Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by this incident. As part of your public transportation family, METRO stands with you and will provide any needed support.

Book your Cruz On-Demand ride today. Cruz On-Demand is a shared ride experience on smaller vans, operated by METRO’s trained ParaCruz operators, extending METRO’s service area 3/4s of a mile from any of METRO’s fixed bus routes, excluding Highway 17 and the UCSC campus. Pick-up locations can be any address within METRO’s service area and drop-off locations can be anywhere within a three mile radius of your pick-up address. For more information visit www.scmtd.com/ondemand

Santa Cruz METRO Transit District is hiring for a Paratransit Operator, Vehicle Service Worker I, and Upholsterer Apply Today! https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/scmtd

Thank you to the Watsonville Fire Department and Felton Fire Protection District for coming to METRO today for a demo of our new electric buses and walking through our fire suppression systems, shut-out valves, door operations, and evacuation points on our vehicles. METRO appreciates all that you do for our community.

Santa Cruz METRO Transit District is supporting Earth Day, today, Thursday, April 22, 2021 by offering free fares on METRO’s first released electric bus. To use METRO’s free electric bus fare program just simply locate METRO’s electric bus at one of our countywide stops and board, no fare required for electric bus only. Today, on Earth Day, you can locate METRO’s electric bus on the following routes:... Santa Cruz METRO Pacific Station 9:15am Outbound 68 Broadway/Portola to Capitola Mall Capitola Mall 10:00am Inbound 66 Live Oak/17th to Santa Cruz Santa Cruz METRO Pacific Station 11:00am Outbound 69A Airport/Watsonville Watsonville Transit Center 12:45pm route 72 Green Valley-Hospital Watsonville Transit Center 2:20pm Inbound 91X Cabrillo Express to Santa Cruz #EarthDay2021 Fore more information visit https://scmtd.com//20210420-METRO-Earth-Day-Free-Electric-

Santa Cruz METRO Transit District & Greyhound Bus Announce New Interline Partnership METRO and Greyhound Lines Inc have officially announced their interline partnership, allowing customers to transfer from Greyhound’s network to METRO’s Highway 17 Express service providing travel between Santa Cruz, CA to San Jose, CA. Greyhound customers can once again travel this route with the assistance of METRO, strengthening the community’s access to area and intercity transportation.... For more information visit www.scmtd.com/greyhound For fare and schedule information, or to purchase tickets, call 1-800-231-2222, visit Greyhound.com or download Greyhound’s mobile app. #transit

Thank you Rep. Jimmy Panetta for reintroducing legislation to create a tax credit to encourage municipalities to purchase and use zero-emission buses. The Green Bus Tax Credit Act creates a 10% manufacturer’s tax credit for electric and hydrogen fuel-cell buses. METRO was also highlighted in the post today with the following quote "...Since May 2017, it has been METRO’s goal to transition to a zero emissions fleet, but the significant cost differences between clean fuel buses and zero emissions buses has had a real impact on our purchasing decisions. This legislation will help us meet the goal of a zero emissions fleet sooner than expected should it be enacted," - METRO Read the full story here: https://panetta.house.gov//congressman-panetta-reintroduce

Santa Cruz METRO Transit District is supporting Earth Day, Thursday, April 22, 2021 by offering free fares on METRO’s first released electric bus. To use METRO’s free electric bus fare program just simply locate METRO’s electric bus at one of our countywide stops and board, no fare required for electric bus only. On Earth Day, Thursday, April 22nd you can locate METRO’s electric bus on the following routes: Santa Cruz METRO Pacific Station 9:15am Outbound 68 Broadway/Portol...a to Capitola Mall Capitola Mall 10:00am Inbound 66 Live Oak/17th to Santa Cruz Santa Cruz METRO Pacific Station 11:00am Outbound 69A Airport/Watsonville Watsonville Transit Center 12:45pm route 72 Green Valley-Hospital Watsonville Transit Center 2:20pm Inbound 91X Cabrillo Express to Santa Cruz #EarthDay2021 Fore more information visit https://scmtd.com//20210420-METRO-Earth-Day-Free-Electric-

METRO announces that we will receive additional funding through the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 (CRRSAA). This additional emergency funding has been advocated by transit agencies, associations, and advocates nationwide as well as members of our federal and local governments and we would like to thank everyone who has championed for this bill, including specifically California’s Congressman Rep. Jimmy Panetta and Congre...sswoman Anna Eshoo who made this funding possible for METRO and other transit agencies. This additional funding will go a long way in heeding possible layoffs and service reductions and allow METRO to continue providing an essential service to our community. #savecatransit #SavePublicTransit For more information read our full press release, https://scmtd.com//20210126-METRO-Additional-COVID-19-Emer

METRO wishes you a safe and healthy holiday season. Happy Holidays!

Wherever you ride, whenever you ride, please remember to wear your mask. https://youtu.be/VIhWu5O3MtM #MaskUpForTransit

If you haven’t already checked out Lookout Santa Cruz now is a good time to get acquainted and get helpful updates regarding COVID-19. They have created Covid 2021, which just launched, and is their one-stop information center for reporting and answering readers' questions. It's free and easily accessible to the public by desktop and phone. All readers need to do is text 831-508-7534 and the word Covid from their phones, or provide that number on Lookout at their Newsletter/Text Center, https://lookout.co/santacruz/newsletter-text-center For more information visit https://lookout.co/santacruz/

Thank you to everyone who participated in #SavePublicTransit yesterday. We appreciate your support. To read more on transit agencies who participated in #SavePublicTransit visit Mass Transit Magazine https://www.masstransitmag.com//us-transit-industry-joinin

Today is #SavePublicTransit Day. Please join METRO today in spreading #SavePublicTransit and transit systems across the country in urging Congress to act NOW to #SavePublicTransit . Thank you for supporting public transportation. American Public Transportation Association... For more information visit scmtd.com/savepublictransit See more

Please join METRO in advocating for the health & safety of all public transit workers in California and encouraging the California Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 Vaccine Drafting Guidelines Workgroup to include public transit workers in the next phase of COVID-19 vaccinations. California Transit Association #TransitIsEssential For more information visit https://scmtd.com//202010105-Prioritization-of-Public-Tran... For more information on the next California Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 Vaccine Drafting Guidelines Workgroup public meeting being held January 6, 2021 at 3PM PST visit https://www.cdph.ca.gov//Community-Vaccine-Advisory-Commit

METRO joins transit systems across the country in urging Congress to act NOW to #SavePublicTransit . Please join us Tuesday, December 15 in helping spread the word and post #SavePublicTransit to show your support for public transportation. American Public Transportation Association For more information visit scmtd.com/savepublictransit

METRO joins transit systems across the country in urging Congress to act NOW to #SavePublicTransit American Public Transportation Association For more information visit scmtd.com/savepublictransit