Crowding and congestion remains an issue on both METRO and Campus Transit buses this winter. Both TAPS and METRO are striving to make improvements and provide more reliable transportation for the UCSC community.
Coming Soon: Live Tracking on Campus Shuttles
In addition to deploying several 40-foot buses to increase capacity on Campus Transit, TAPS is also taking steps to help improve communication for Campus Shuttle arrivals with real-time bus tracking. We will be conducting a pilot on the Science Hill Limited route and we need your feedback during an initial beta test period. Fill out the interest form if you’d like to be part of the group to test the app experience. Those who complete the beta test and two short follow-up surveys will be eligible to win one of three $25 Amazon gift cards.
METRO Service Update
At the end of the fall quarter, Santa Cruz METRO sent an email regarding reduced service during the winter quarter. METRO has also shared the following message for UCSC riders:
At METRO, we’re committed to getting riders to campus on time, but high ridership and congestion during peak class times can sometimes cause delays. To make your commute easier, we recommend:
- Building extra time into your schedule when arriving or departing from campus.
- Be prepared for fuller buses during class transfer times and consider taking trips slightly before or after your class period, as these typically have more capacity and fewer delays.
Buses tend to be busiest at the following peak times, aligning with class schedules:
- MWF: 7:40, 9:00, 10:20, 11:40, 1:00, 2:20, 3:40
- TTH: 7:40, 9:30, 11:20, 1:10, 3:00, 5:00, 6:50
The busiest trips on each route throughout the day are as follows:
- Route 11: 10:50 am, 11:20 am, 12:50 pm, 2:50 pm, 3:20 pm
- Route 18: 11:00 am, 12:45 pm, 2:00 pm, 2:30 pm, 3:15 pm
- Route 19: 8:29 am, 10:58 am, 11:13 am, 2:43 pm, 4:29 pm
- Route 20: 12:25 pm, 2:25 pm, 4:25 pm
For more details, refer to METRO’s How to Ride Guide at scmetro.org/riders-guide/riding-tips.
Riding Tips
These additional tips can help enhance your riding experience:- Arrive early at your bus stop and avoid peak times when possible. Use the Transit App for real-time updates on METRO bus location, arrival time, and occupancy.
- Stand up as the bus approaches to board. If it’s not your route, signal the driver to pass.
- Wait for exiting passengers before boarding. Enter through front or back doors and move to the back to make space for others to board and exit.
- Show your UCSC student ID for a free ride.
- Remember to ride respectfully:
- Take off your backpack
- Keep headphone volume low
- Text instead of making voice calls
- Dispose of trash and recycling
- Report any issues to the operator
- Thank your driver
- Signal your stop by pulling the cord or saying, “Next stop, please.
- Wait until the bus leaves before crossing the road. Use a crosswalk.
Thank you for your cooperation as we work to provide more reliable transportation for all UCSC riders.
