Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission Transit Planning and Services for Santa Cruz County

Transit Services
Local Bus Service	The only public transit operator in Santa Cruz is the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District also known as Santa Cruz Metro or SCMTD. Through their website called "Metro Online", SCMTD provides transit information and opportunities for citizen participation in the transit system. Some of the available features include: System Information about the services offered by the SCMTD Tips on how to use the SCMTD services Route descriptions, fares and schedules Metro Statistics
Metrobase Planning	The SCMTD is currently planning and constructing a centralized operations depot in Santa Cruz. For more information about the Metrobase project, please look at SCMTD's project page.
Accessible Transportation	The Regional Transportation Commission provides partial funding for the Consolidated Transportation Services Agency (Community Bridges) and the Volunteer Center, which provide transportation services to the elderly and the disabled. The Elderly and Disabled Transportation Advisory Committee (E&D TAC) is a citizen's advisory committee which advises the Regional Transportation Commission on matters related to accessible transportation and sponsors events and activities that promote accessible transportation. A Public Hearing was held February 5, 2004, on Paratransit and Other Specialized Transportation Services. As a follow-up to this hearing, the Commission is conducting a Specialized Transportation Stakeholder Survey to better understand specialized transportation issues facing seniors and people with disabilities. The results of this survey were used to formulate a workplan for a task force convened to address these issues. A Paratransit Coordination Task Force convened in May 2004 and will meet through the end of the year to address accessible transportation issue

Rail Projects
Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line Acquisition	In August 1999, as part of the MTIS Program of Projects, Commissioners voted to pursue acquisition of the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line right-of-way. In April 2002, the Commission completed environmental review for acquisition of the rail line. If acquired, the Union Pacific branch rail line between Watsonville and Santa Cruz/Davenport would be in public ownership and would thus be available as a transportation resource for the community in the future. In December 2004, the RTC signed a Letter of Intent with Union Pacific to purchase the rail line for $19 million. The Commission has approved $10 million in State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) funds and has $10.7 million available in Proposition 116 (approved by California Voters in 1990.) In addition, Congressman Sam Farr secured a $1.5 million federal appropriation in the federal 2003 budget for this project. The RTC approved submitting a Proposition 116 application for the $10.7 million, an AB3090 reimbursement request for the $10 million in STIP funds and a reimbursable grant request to the Coastal Conservancy to cover the $10 million in STIP funds currently unavailable due to the State's budget problems. The RTC approved the reimbursable grant agreement in June 2006. In addition, the RTC is conducting all of the necessary studies including a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment and appraisals. A draft title report was completed in June 2005, a structural assessment report was completed in August 2005, and a supplemental structures report along with peer review was completed in June 2006. Fact Sheet: Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line Acquisition (01-07) Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line Informational Maps are available online at the Santa Cruz County Geographic Information Systems Map Gallery under the Transportation folder. Hard copies are available for viewing and purchase at the RTC offices. CDs are available for free. Contact Grace Blakeslee at 460-3219 if you have questions. (11-05) Reimbursable Grant Agreement (6-06) Santa Cruz Industrial Lead - Supplemental Structural Report (6-23-06) Summary of Estimated Capital & Annual Maintenance Costs Peer Review Draft Structural Assessment Reports (8-05) Proposition 116 Application for Funds (6-05) Draft Title Report (5-05) Letter of Intent with Union Pacific to Purchase Rail Line (12-04) Santa Cruz Branch Line Draft Business Plan (8-04) including Appendices, Tables and Figures  (copies are available at the RTC Office and at public libraries) Administrative Draft Santa Cruz Branch Line Economic Analysis (11-02) MTIS Program of Projects Rail Lines of Santa Cruz County and Vicinity Final Initial Study and Negative Declaration for Santa Cruz Rail Line Acquisition Proposition 116 Application for Funds (8-03)
Recreational Rail	The Commission considered four recreational rail service options and selected service between Capitola and Aptos with an extension to Seascape as the preferred alternative. An environmental impact report (EIR) will be completed before establishing recreational rail service. The Commission released an initial study, notice of preparation and a draft EIR. The comment period for the draft EIR ended on July 21, 2004. A REVISED Draft EIR was released on February 4, 2005. The review period on the revised draft closes on April 5, 2005. Details about providing input during this new comment period can be found in this notice Recreational Rail REVISED Draft Environmental Impact Report (2-4-05) Chapter 1  Introduction/Executive Summary Chapter 2  Project Description Chapter 3  Environmental Setting, Impacts and Mitigation Section A   Air Quality Section B   Hazardous & Toxic Substances Section C   Noise Section D   Transportation & Circulation Section E   Other Chapter 4  Alternatives Chapter 5  References (updated 2-10-05) Proposed Recreational Rail Map for Viewing Online(low-resolution) / Map for Printing(high-resolution) Fact Sheet: Recreational Passenger Rail - Environmental Review (07-05) Initial Study for the Recreational Rail Preliminary Project Report for Passenger Platforms and Related Improvements to the Santa Cruz Branch Line for Recreational Rail Service Preliminary Analysis of Santa Cruz Branch Line Intra-County Recreational Rail Options
Coastal Rail Trail	In 2000, the Commission programmed $332,000 in federal funds for a master plan and environmental review of the Coastal Rail Trail, and in 2004, the Commission programmed $345,000 to construct an initial segment. Examples of various rails-with-trails designs are shown in reports produced by the Rails to Trails Conservancy and the US Department of Transportation. Fact Sheet: Coastal Rail Trail (01-08) Rails-with-Trails: Design, Management and Operating Characteristics of 61 Trails Along Active Railroads Title Page, Table of Contents, Executive Summary and Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2  Report Findings Chapter 3  Case Studies Chapter 4  Survey Results in Details Chapter 5  Keys to a Successful Project Appendix Rails-with-Trails: Lessons Learned
Demonstration Trains	The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission hosted or co-hosted three different rail demonstration programs in 1996: the Return of the Sun Tan Special; the Coastal Cruzer/Flexliner; and, the First Night Trolley/RegioSprinter. The purpose of these events was to showcase various kinds of modern rail vehicles and explore their suitability for Santa Cruz County. In addition, these events have provided residents with a chance to experience not only different types of trains, but also transportation on the railway corridor. These first-hand experiences helped residents understand more about future mobility options in Santa Cruz County. At this time, no new demonstration train events are planned.

Planning Studies
The Commission from time to time undertakes studies which examine the value of improving transit services in various locations throughout the county. The Commission has an interest in pursuing options which will reduce transit travel time and provide safe, convenient, efficient and reliable transit alternatives to the citizens of Santa Cruz County.
Highway 17 Transportation Improvement Study	The Highway 17 Transportation Improvement Study was initiated to address transportation demand and transportation system constraints and opportunities in the Highway 17 corridor between Santa Cruz and San Jose. The goal of the study was to develop a program of transit and operational improvements balanced with available funds. Study recommendations include transit service improvements and relatively low cost highway capital and operations improvements. The recommended transit improvements center on maintaining the existing Highway 17 Express transit service currently operated by the Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District. The study also identified a number of improvement and expansion opportunities including: possible additional service to connect with the Metro Center in Santa Cruz incremental improvements to existing services reverse commute potential expansion of service south of the Soquel Drive Park and Ride lot interconnectivity with other transit services in Santa Clara County promotion of carpools and subscription bus services expanded marketing opportunities The Executive Summary is available on-line
Major Transportation Investment Study(MTIS)	The Major Transportation Investment Study of the Watsonville to Santa Cruz to UCSC corridor examined a variety of transportation options for the future of Santa Cruz county mobility, including three options for light rail type transit in the corridor. The study is complete and the Regional Transportation Commission has selected a program of projects for the Watsonville - Santa Cruz - Highway 1 corridor.
"Around the Bay" Rail Study	The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission and the Transportation Agency of Monterey County jointly conducted an analysis of 'around the bay' or 'wharf to wharf' rail service between the two counties. The study also analyzed the feasibility of linking this service with the San Francisco Bay Area and the Salinas Valley. In addition, state-of-the-art train technology, Diesel Multiple Units, are included in the evaluation to determine if using this type of new train would yield more efficient service with fewer environmental impacts.

Information on Rail Planning and other Transportation Projects

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission periodically publishes and distributes up-to-date information on regional transportation planning and projects via mailings to the public. If you would like to be on our mailing list, please e-mail your name and mailing address to us or call 460-3200. In addition, if you would like to receive e-mail updates when they beome available, please include your e-mail address in the body of your note. Thank you for your interest in transportation for Santa Cruz County.

If you have questions, comments or would like additional information on any of the Commission's activities, programs or projects, please contact staff.

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