Supporters of a proposed ballot measure to fund Santa Cruz County transit will hold a campaign kickoff event later this month as organizers ramp up signature gathering ahead of a qualification deadline.
The Friends of Santa Cruz METRO initiative is scheduled to host the event at noon on Friday, March 27, at River Row in downtown Santa Cruz. Organizers say the gathering will focus on mobilizing volunteers and building momentum for the effort.
The proposal would place a half-cent sales tax measure on the November 2026 ballot to support Santa Cruz METRO operations.
Backers say the funding is needed to maintain current service levels amid expected cuts to state and federal transit funding. If approved by voters, the measure would also allow the agency to make bus service free for most riders.
Since receiving an official title and summary from the Santa Cruz County Clerk in mid-February, volunteers have collected nearly 2,000 of the roughly 10,500 signatures required to qualify the measure for the ballot, according to campaign organizers. The campaign is now entering a more intensive phase of signature gathering in the coming weeks.
Friday’s event is expected to include remarks from elected officials and community leaders in education and affordable housing.
More information about the campaign is available at friendsofscmetro.org.
