Proposed South County Operations & Maintenance Facility

 

 

 

 

Project Purpose & Need

Santa Cruz METRO is exploring a new Operations and Maintenance (O&M) facility in South County to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance transit service. Currently, buses must travel long distances to existing facilities, leading to higher fuel costs, emissions, and service delays.

 

Why South County?

 

Many transit routes originate in Watsonville and South County, yet there’s no local facility to support operations. A local O&M facility would allow for quicker bus deployment, better service reliability, and cost savings. Reducing unnecessary bus travel means lower emissions and a more sustainable transit system.

 

Project Search Area

 

 

Project Objectives

 

• Optimize Efficiency and Service Quality
• Accommodate expanded Bus Fleet
• Enhance Bus Fleet Resiliency and Flexibility

 

What is an O&M Facility?

 

• Bus storage to keep vehicles secure overnight
• Maintenance & repairs to ensure reliable service
• Fueling infrastructure where buses refuel after service
• Operator & staff support spaces for efficient agency operations

 

 

Community Benefits

What Would Make a Good Site?

 

• Central location near key bus routes to minimize out-of-service travel time
• Enough space for bus storage, maintenance, and staff facilities
• Easy access to local roadways
• Location that will minimize impacts on nearby homes and businesses

 

 

A new O&M facility could bring:

• Job Creation – New transit-related employment opportunities
• Improved Transit Service – More reliable and efficient bus operations
• Climate-Resilient Infrastructure – A state-of-the-art facility designed to enhance service reliability and sustainability for METRO riders
• Cleaner Air & Less Pollution – Reduced bus travel distances lead to improved air quality and lower emissions for Santa Cruz County residents

 

 

Project Timeline

Fall-Winter 2024: Needs assessment

 

Spring 2025: Public involvement

 

Summer 2025: Analyze sites

 

Fall 2025: Draft plan

 

 

We want your input!

Santa Cruz METRO is gathering community feedback on:

 

• New Facility Benefits - What benefits matter most to you?
• Potential Impacts & Concerns – What concerns or questions do you have about the new facility?
• Additional Input – Are there any other ideas or considerations you’d like us to take into account?

 

To share your feedback please take our Community Survey by August 30th.

 

Your voice is essential in shaping a project that truly supports South County’s transit future, check out our website to learn more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Santa Cruz County Fair: September 10 – 14, 2025

Ride METRO for Free to the Santa Cruz County Fair

 

Riders who take METRO the Fair will also receive a discount on fair tickets. 

Just request a voucher from the operator upon your arrival to the fairgrounds.

 

 

Santa Cruz METRO announces free fares on both fixed-route and ParaCruz services to the Santa Cruz County Fair September 10-14th at the Watsonville Fairgrounds.

 

To provide additional service to Santa Cruz County Fair attendees, METRO has created a special route, Route 79F, that will provide FREE daily service to the Watsonville Fairgrounds. Additionally, METRO will offer FREE service on the Route 79 weekend service and daily ParaCruz service to the fairgrounds in Watsonville. Fixed-Route customers can utilize Route 79F to get to the Fairgrounds daily, but the Route 79 will only provide service to the fairgrounds on September 13-14th.

Service will depart from the Watsonville Transit Center :35 past the hour from 10:35am – 9:35pm on weekdays and 8:35am – 9:35pm on weekends. Return trips from the County Fair (Fairgrounds) will depart on the hour from 11am – 10pm on weekdays and 9am – 10pm on weekends.

 

Once METRO riders arrive at the fair please request a discount voucher from the operator that can be presented at the fair ticket window for discounted fair tickets. For details visit the County Fair Tickets Page.

 

 

Fair Service Hours: (see detailed schedule below)

• Wednesday-Friday: 10:35am-9:35pm
• Saturday-Sunday: 8:35am-9:35pm

 

 

Applies to fixed-route and ParaCruz trips.

 

 

 

See METRO’s Schedule Page for more details.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Housing Authority Residential Pass Program

Available Now!

 

The Santa Cruz METRO and the Housing Authority of Santa Cruz County have partnered to give residents living in 19 Housing Authority properties free rides on METRO’s local fixed routes.

 

Ride METRO to work, doctor appointments, play and more for free! View our routes and schedules.

Signing Up is Easy!

1. Contact the Housing Authority Pass Administrator at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (831) 454-5952
2. Download the METRO Splash Pass app on your phone. For details on METRO’s Splash Pass, visit scmetro.org/apps.
   • If you prefer, a METRO Cruz Card to tap on the farebox is available as an alternative.
3. Using Splash Pass, click the 3 bars in the upper right corner, click Profile, and sign up for an account. The email address used to sign up must match the email address provided to the Housing Authority Pass Administrator. Your monthly pass will be sent directly to your Splash Pass app.

* Highway 17 Express and ParaCruz not included

Download the Housing Authority Residential Pass Program flyer

Q: Who qualifies for the Housing Authority Residential Pass Program?

A: Adult residents of 19 specific properties managed by the Housing Authority. Please contact the Housing Authority Pass Administrator at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (831) 454-5952 to see if you qualify. A reminder - K-12 students may ride METRO local routes for free as part of the Youth Cruz Free program. Cabrillo College and UCSC students are eligible for passes through their school. Children who are not yet in school but are less than 48” in height may ride free with an adult who has a pass or pays a regular fare.

Q: When does the Housing Authority Residential Pass Program start and end?

A: The Housing Authority Residential Pass Program begins July 1, 2023, and will run as a one-year pilot program until June 30, 2024. After the term of the pilot program, the Housing Authority and METRO will review the success of the program to determine next steps.

Q: How can I view METRO’s routes and schedules?

A: METRO posts all system maps, routes, and schedules on our website at scmtd.com/routes. Additionally, METRO publishes our maps and schedules quarterly in our Rider’s Guide, Headways, available throughout the County and at METRO Transit Centers. A PDF version of Headways is also posted to scmtd.com.

Find other useful trip planning tips here.

Q: How can riders stay up to date with route alerts and schedule changes? Does METRO offer any real-time route alerts?

A: METRO keeps riders informed of route changes through several platforms:

• METRO Real-Time: METRO has launched Santa Cruz METRO Real-Time. METRO Real-Time has bus arrival predictions, a system map showing actual bus locations on the route, trip planner, and option to subscribe to service alerts.
• Schedule-by-Stop: Allows riders to search for any Location (Bus Stop or Transit Center) and view today's scheduled arrival at that location in complete detail.
• Agency Email Alerts: Subscribe to receive email alerts regarding agency announcements and general information, board of directors, and other upcoming agency events.
• METRO News Bulletins shows quarterly service changes and current posted service alerts.

Q: What rules should I follow to ride the bus?

A: For the safety of you, other riders, and our operators, METRO does ask all riders to follow our Code of Conduct Policy while onboard our vehicles, at Transit Centers, and while at a bus stop. Please visit scmtd.com/en/riders-guide/riding-tips for details. To view METRO’s complete Code of Conduct Policy, visit scmtd.com/Code-of-Conduct.

Q: What is METRO’s One Ride at a Time program and how can I participate?

A: Beginning in January 2023, every ride on a METRO bus donates to our partners in protecting the environment, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and the Bay of Life Fund thanks to GO Santa Cruz. Make your impact today. 25 logged rides = $10 donation. To learn more and register, visit One Ride at a Time.

To participate, track your rides on GO Santa Cruz.

Q: Who should I contact if I have a question?

A: METRO’s Customer Service Department is here to assist you 7 days a week from 8AM – 5PM by phone at (831) 425-8600 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

To see additional FAQs,visit.