Free METRO service for K-12 students will start in March

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA (KION-TV) — Starting March 1, 2023, Santa Cruz County youth will be encouraged to use Santa Cruz City Public Transportation as part of its annual free ride pilot program.

The Youth Cruz Free pilot program hopes that through the abolition of fares, K-12 students will use buses more. “According to a survey conducted by METRO in 2019, only 9.7% of METRO riders are under the age of 18, despite being 19% of the Santa Cruz County population,” METRO said in a statement.

Riders 8th grade and under will be asked by the driver to indicate their level of ability and possibly provide a student card.

For riders in grades 9 to 12, the driver will ask for an ID card.

You can also get a free METRO Youth Cruz Free ID if you don’t have a student ID. They can be purchased by going to the METRO customer service windows at the Watsonville Transit Center or the Pacific Station Transit Center.

You must bring proof of identity or proof of education and complete the form. The first ID is free and the first replacement costs $2 and then $5 for each subsequent replacement.

For more information click here.