Section III. Snapshots of the Existing System and Future Projects
5. Snapshot of the Current Bus System
Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) Bus System Quick Facts:
- 5,596,884 Annual Passengers (July, 2004 - June, 2005)
- 40 Routes
- 992 Bus Stops
- 73 Buses in Service
- 306 Employees
Cost to maintain/operate existing system per year: $33 million/year
What does this include? Direct operating costs at the current level of service for fixed-route and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit plus maintenance of vehicles, bus stops and operating facilities. Not included: Bus replacement costs and costs to convert to alternative compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel.
How are ongoing maintenance/operations funded?
|
Revenue Source |
Amount |
|
½ Cent Sales Tax |
$15,686,399 |
|
Passenger Fares |
$6,877,138 |
|
Federal Transit Administration |
$3,043,159 |
|
Transit Development Act |
$5,413,251 |
Additional Funds Needed to adequately maintain existing service: $3,000,000/year
For more information, visit the Metro Transportation District's website.
Recent Improvements:
Bus Replacements
Replace 20 buses which had exceeded expected lifetime service.
- Total Project Cost: $6.8 million
- How Funded? State Traffic Congestion Relief Fund (special one-time funds)
- When Completed: January 2003
CNG Fueling Station
Build compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station for 10 new CNG buses.
- Total Project Cost: $490,000
- How Funded? California Energy Commission, AB2766, Local funds
- When Completed: February 2003
Bus Project Underway and Underfunded
MetroBase - Consolidated Bus Operations Facility
Construct new operating & maintenance facilities in Harvey West Business Park to accommodate new CNG buses. Replace facilities lost in 1989 earthquake and move from "temporary" leased facilities. Build new Diesel L/CNG fueling station and eliminate commercial off-site fueling operation.
Funding for the first phase of the project is in place and construction is underway, but phase two of the project is on hold due to funding shortfalls.
- Project Cost: $39 million - Phase 1
- Additional Funds Needed: $25-$30 million will be required for Phase II.
- How Funded? State Transportation Improvement Program; Federal Earmark (FTA 5309); FTA Formula; Local Sales Tax; other Local Funds
- Construction Schedule: March 2006-Fall 2008
- For more information: http://www.scmtd.com/metrobase/ (831) 621-9568
Conversion of Diesel Buses to Use CNG Fuel
Convert buses to use cleaner Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fuel.
- Total Project Cost: $6.8 million
- Funding: No funds currently available.
- Schedule: 2006 - 2007
- For more info, visit the Santa Cruz Metro Transportation District's Website
Unfunded/Underfunded Bus Project
Pacific Station (Metro Center) Renovation and Expansion
Renovate and expand the existing transit center in
downtown Santa Cruz. Includes: Annex adjacent Greyhound parcel to add
needed space for a modernized bus circulation and passenger
loading/unloading system. Renovate and expand the multi-modal terminal
building with commercial, retail, office and possibly residential land
uses.
The City of Santa Cruz Redevelopment Agency is the project manager.
- Total Project Cost: $8-15 million
- Funding: Only $2.8 Million in federal and state funds currently available for preliminary design, environmental assessment and purchase of the Greyhound property. Construction cannot proceed without new funds.
- Schedule: Dependent on funding
- For more information, visit the Metro Center Website