TAPS is pleased to announce that an extension of the service agreement between UCSC and METRO has been reached.
Students currently enrolled in classes for the summer quarter may continue to ride METRO buses fare-free and county-wide past June 30. These students may board by presenting a Summer 2020 sticker on their student ID card. Additionally, in order to help decrease foot traffic at ID Services or the Summer Session Office, and until further notice, summer session students may also board with Winter 2020 or Spring 2020 stickers.
Faculty, Staff, or Graduate students with a summer appointment who wish to purchase a new Employee METRO Bus Pass may complete the online application. These new passes may be used to board and ride county-wide METRO buses effective immediately. 2019-2020 Employee METRO Bus Passes will be accepted through July 15 in order to give everyone ample time to procure a 2020-2021 pass.
Employee METRO Bus Passes are not available via walk-in sale. TAPS strongly encourages everyone to renew their passes online and elect to receive them via US Mail at an off-campus address in order to maintain distancing and minimize in-person contact in the TAPS Sales Office. If passes must be picked up in person, TAPS will offer a curbside/vehicle pick-up option. Please expect delays.
As travel in the region is increasing, METRO has announced that effective July 1st, they will increase the capacity on buses from 8 to 15 for 40-foot buses and from 5 to 10 for 35-foot buses. Customers are encouraged to self-determine social distancing and if they are uncomfortable with the number of people on the bus, they are encouraged to wait for another bus. Mandatory face coverings are still in effect while boarding AND while riding on a bus and anyone not following this rule will be disallowed service. As an additional safety measure, customers are also encouraged not to talk while riding the bus. In addition, effective June 25th, METRO added an estimated additional 500 vehicle service hours to our service and extended service beyond 8pm. For more information about METRO schedules and services, visit scmtd.com.
If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact TAPS at taps@ucsc.edu.
