Highway 17 Express

About Highway 17

The Highway 17 Express Bus provides service between downtown Santa Cruz (Metro Center), Scotts Valley, and downtown San Jose.

Service is offered 7 days a week. On weekends, service is available from San Jose Diridon Station only. The H17 Express schedule can be found the website! 

The H17 Express drops off on Santa Clara and 6th St. and picks up at San Fernando and 7th St. 

Weekend Transfers to/from the Diridon

To SJSU
From San Jose Diridon Station, take the VTA Rapid 500, 64A, 64B, or 68 to the vicinity of SJSU.

From SJSU
From Santa Clara and 5th Street, take the VTA Rapid 500, 64A, or 64B, to Diridon Station. From 2nd Street and Paseo de San Antonio, take the 68 to Diridon Station.

Parking

Free parking is available at the Scotts Valley Transit Center. You may park free in designated Park & Ride lots [pdf] in order to meet your carpool, vanpool or to catch the bus. 

Ticket Information 

Discounted Passes:

The regular 31-Day pass is $145.00 and the 15-Ride Pass costs $94.50. Subsidized by SJSU Parking Services, Transportation Solutions sells the 31-Day Pass for $134.00 and the 15-Ride Pass for $89.50 to enrolled students and employees. Tickets can be purchased from the AS General Services front counter by presenting a valid Tower ID. 

Students who are enrolled for Summer, but work on campus are still eligible to purchase the discounted passes. Verification of employement may be required.

Effective 1/3/2022, enrolled students can obtain 20% off the regular price of 15 ride ($94.50) and 31 day passes ($145). This offer is will be valid through the Summer and Fall 2022 term. The increased discount does not apply to employees.

Riders can pay for a one-way fare or buy a day-pass on board the bus. For more information visit Santa Cruz Metro's Fares.

The 31-Day Highway 17 Express bus pass is valid for 31 consecutive days of unlimited rides on Santa Cruz Metro and local VTA services starting from the first day of validation by the fare box on board the bus. This pass also has a one-year “absolute” expiration date for non-validated passes. After validation the user need only swipe the card for fare. This pass is not bound by the start and end of each month. 

The 15-Ride pass can be used for 15 non-consecutive rides on Highway 17 Express Bus. It is a “stored ride” pass and valid until used up. It has a one-year “absolute” expiration date for passes not validated. It can be used to pay for a single ride fare on all local Santa Cruz Metro lines and the Highway 17 Express service, it is not valid on VTA local service. 

Conditions:

Only one (1) discounted 31-Day Pass can be purchased at one time, additional tickets can be purchased after three weeks from previous purchase date.

Only one (1) discounted 15-Ride Pass can be purchased at a time, any additional 15-Ride Pass purchase is subject to a eight business day waiting period. No more than two (2) discounted 15-Ride Pass can be purchased in a single month.

Discounted tickets are not transferable. Transportation Solutions will suspend the discount privileges of riders purchasing tickets with the intent to resell or evade fare. Also, additional disciplinary action will be taken by the Office of Student Conduct & Ethical Development and University Police Department including criminal prosecution. 

If you are wondering what ticket to purchase based on the number of days you are commuting, please refer to the table below.