In a bid to enhance public transportation accessibility, the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) is gearing up for a significant expansion of its services slated for September 2024. This initiative falls under the second phase of the Reimagine METRO project, aimed at revamping the entirety of the transit network to better serve the community.
The draft plan for Reimagine METRO Phase 2 is now accessible to the public on the official METRO website, www.scmtd.com/ReimagineMetro. Residents are encouraged to engage with the plan and provide feedback through a brief online survey available in both English and Spanish. The survey period runs from February 6th to March 4th.
Furthermore, METRO invites residents to participate in three hybrid public meetings to be held via Zoom and at select locations. These meetings, scheduled for February 20th, 21st, and 22nd, will feature detailed presentations of the proposed changes by the planning team, fostering open dialogue and commentary. Notably, all sessions will be conducted in both English and Spanish.
John Urgo, METRO’s Planning Director, highlighted key aspects of the proposed plan, including the introduction of frequent (15-minute) service in various areas such as east Santa Cruz, Live Oak, Soquel, Aptos, and Watsonville. Additionally, weekend frequencies will align with weekdays on most routes, ensuring consistent service availability. Notably, Route 90X will offer all-day express service between Watsonville and Santa Cruz seven days a week, while improvements in service along Highway 17 aim to enhance reliability.
Moreover, the plan aims to establish more direct east-west connections in Santa Cruz and Live Oak, facilitating travel from UC Santa Cruz to Cabrillo College. Beyond Cabrillo College, Routes 1 and 2 will transition into Routes 61 and 62, with free transfers provided at the college.
The Reimagine METRO Phase 2 project signifies a concerted effort by METRO to optimize transit services, ensuring they align with the evolving needs of the Santa Cruz community. By actively engaging with residents, METRO seeks to shape a transit system that is efficient, accessible, and responsive to the diverse needs of its ridership.
For comprehensive information regarding the plan and opportunities for feedback, please visit www.scmtd.com/ReimagineMetro.
