Buses and Bus Pass Information

TAPS Campus Transit Shuttles

TAPS Campus Transit operates two daytime on-campus shuttle routes - The Loop and Upper Campus, and three nighttime on-campus routes - The Loop, the East Night Core and the West Night Core. TAPS also provides the Night Owl, late-night bus service between campus and downtown Santa Cruz, exclusively for UCSC students and employees.

Get schedule information and route maps [here].

Shuttle Reservations For Events

To charter a shuttle from Campus Transit Operations print out a shuttle reservation form and FAX it to 831/459-4234, or call 831/459-3228 to discuss options with a transit supervisor. The current cost for a shuttle with driver is $83/hour, with a two-hour minimum.

Santa Cruz METRO Buses

University route Metro buses operate between downtown Santa Cruz and the campus, using various routes including Laurel Street (Routes 15/16), Bay Street (Route 19), High Street (Route 10), and Western Drive (Route 20/20D). Many students who reside off-campus use Metro buses to commute to and from campus. Campus residents use Metro buses to get to downtown Santa Cruz and other local destinations.

Student ID Card/Bus Pass

Through an agreement between the University and METRO (SCMTD) students that display a valid UCSC ID card ride Metro buses fare-free; Student Transit Fee funds pay for student rides on Metro buses. New student ID cards are issued by ID Card Services (831/459-2990 or idcards@ucsc.edu). A valid quarter sticker is required; stickers are available each quarter at your college office or board of study. More information about the dates that each quarter validation sticker becomes valid and expires is available.

Faculty/Staff Bus Pass

The Faculty/Staff Metro Bus Pass is an alternative transportation program that TAPS offers at the lowest cost possible. During 2012-13 the faculty/staff bus pass fee is $8.75 per month for those eligible for payroll deduction; $105 annually. The faculty/staff bus pass fee provides funding to assist with the cost of billings that TAPS pays to the SCMTD to accommodate faculty and staff transit ridership. Complete the online application to obtain a Faculty/Staff Bus Pass.

Quarterly Bus Pass

TAPS offers a Quarterly Metro Bus Pass ($102 per quarter; Fall 2012, Winter 2013, Spring 2013, and Summer 2013) for spouses, domestic partners and children of UCSC students or employees who reside on-campus (includes Laureate Court Apartments). Concurrent Enrollment students may also be eligible. Purchase Quarterly Bus Passes at the TAPS Parking Sales Office (map).

How To Get to UCSC Performing Arts Facilities by Bus

Detailed information on how to get to UCSC Performing Arts facilities by bus (using Metro buses and campus shuttles) is available.

Highway 17 Express Buses

Highway 17 Express buses travel between the Santa Cruz METRO bus station (downtown Santa Cruz) and the San Jose Diridon Train Station, providing connecting service to Amtrak Capitol Corridor and Coast Starlight trains, CalTrain, and VTA buses and light rail. Ground transportation connections to the San Jose (SJC) Airport can be made at the San Jose Diridon Station [More]. Please note: UCSC student ID cards and other UCSC bus passes are not accepted on Highway 17 Express buses or by any transit agencies other than Santa Cruz Metro (SCMTD).

LA Turkey and Polar Express Buses

UCSC OPERS provides buses that take students from campus to the Los Angeles area for the Thanksgiving and Winter breaks. The four Los Angeles drop-off points are L.A. Valley College, East L.A. College, UCLA, and UC Irvine. Online reservations begin in September at www.ucscrecreation.com. For information call Matt Brower at 831/459-2807.

Greyhound Buses

Greyhound buses depart from and arrive at the Santa Cruz METRO Center, located at 920 Pacific Avenue in downtown Santa Cruz. Greyhound shares this facility with Highway 17 Express buses and Santa Cruz METRO Transit buses. Greyhound offers six daily schedules from this location. For fare and schedule information and to buy tickets call 1-800/231-2222 or visit the Web site at www.greyhound.com.