SANTA CRUZ COUNTY—The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) is stepping up to help battle the pandemic in offering free local transit rides to and from Covid-19 vaccination appointments in Santa Cruz County.
METRO spokeswoman Danielle Glagola said riders who are interested in using METRO to get to their vaccination appointments must let the operator know when boarding the vehicle and show proof of the vaccination appointment. That proof should include a photo, printout or email of the confirmed appointment slot or vaccination card.
The free fares will be available to all fixed-route and ParaCruz riders, Glagola said. Customers who are eligible and enrolled in METRO’s ParaCruz service will need to specify ahead of time that they are going to and from a vaccination appointment at the time of making the reservation.
“The health and safety of our community has been a priority for METRO since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and providing essential travel is one of the ways METRO makes good on this commitment,” said Alex Clifford, METRO CEO/General Manager. “So offering free fares to Covid-19 vaccination appointments is another way METRO can give back to our county. By offering these free fares we hope to open up transportation options to our entire community in getting to these essential vaccination appointments.”
Glagola said METRO continues to follow public health guidelines from official sources such as CDC, State and local guidance whenever possible to support safe travel.
“If you haven’t used METRO services in the past we encourage you to try us out free on your way to and from vaccination appointments,” Glagola said.
For information, visit scmtd.com, and for route schedules, visit scmtd.com/en/routes.
