Highway 17 Express
About Highway 17 Express
The Highway 17 Express Bus provides service between downtown Santa Cruz (Metro Center), Scotts Valley, and downtown San Jose.
Winter Service UpdatesDue to the ongoing shortage of bus operators, METRO is suspending certain routes and trips this winter. One such change will be a temporary suspension of service along Santa Clara in downtown San Jose to serve San Jose State University (SJSU), effective December 22, 2022 through March 15th, 2023. Santa Cruz Metro will reevaluate resuming service in the Spring. The Highway 17 Express bus will only operate as far as San Jose Diridon Station on weekdays (as it does currently on weekends). Passengers whose destination is downtown San Jose or SJSU will need to transfer to VTA bus or light rail. Three weekday trips, in both northbound and southbound directions, have been added for the Highway 17 Express bus. In addition to the changes above, there are schedule adjustments to individual Highway 17 Express trips, including which trips serve Scotts Valley. To review these modifications in detail, please visit the news bulletins page. If you have concerns regarding these changes we encourage you to contact METRO's Board and Advisory Committee: Board of Directors: boardinquiries@scmtd.com Metro Advisory Committee: mac@scmtd.com **Santa Cruz METRO is planning to return some AM and PM trips to SJSU for the Spring Service changes after the March 15th, 2023 date. All of these trips will serve the Scotts Valley Transit Center. Please check back for more details. |
Fares
SJSU 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 not enrolled, but work on campus are still eligible to purchase the discounted passes. Verification of employment 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 for a limited time only. 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 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 bus 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.
Terms and 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.
| Ride Quantity | Ticket Type | Price |
| If you have >10RT/ 31 days | Buy 31 day pass | $134 |
| If you have 10 RT/31 days | Buy 1 15 ride pass, 1 one-way, and 2 day passes | $124.50 |
| If you have 9 RT/31 days | Buy 1 15 ride, 1 one-way, and 1 day pass | $110.50 |
| If you have 8 RT/31 days | Buy 1 15 ride, 1 one-way | $96.50 |
| If you have 7 RT/31 days | Buy 1 15 ride |
$89.50 You will have 1 one way left for the future |
| If you have 6 RT/31 days | Buy 6 day passes | $84.00 |
| If you have 5 RT/31 days | Buy 5 day passes |
$70.00 |
| If you have 4RT/31 days | Buy 4 day passes | $56.00 |
| If you have 3RT/31 days | Buy 3 day passes | $42.00 |
| If you have 2RT/31 Days | Buy 2 day passes | $28.00 |
Getting to a Station
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 in order to meet your carpool, vanpool or to catch the bus.
