Santa Cruz County Transportation Digest

Following December’s fatal loop bus crash that killed bus driver Dan Stevenson, students were finally able to address administrators.

California electric vehicle sales dropped significantly in the last half of 2023, raising questions about the state’s ability to phase out gas-powered cars.

The San Pedro ports had a busy January as they rebounded from last year’s labor troubles and picked up cargo redirected because of Suez and Panama canal troubles.

The next phase of an electric bicycle program is preparing for launch next month and community members may see supporting infrastructure begin to pop up in the coming weeks.

In September, Santa Cruz Metro made a big bet on the future of green public transit when it approved the purchase of 57 buses fueled by hydrogen—the largest order of hydrogen-fueled buses made so far in the U.S.

The Santa Cruz Planning Commission voted unanimously to renew a controversial RV overnight street-parking ban for at least the coming five years, several months ahead of its expiration.

Big changes are coming to Santa Cruz Metro's downtown transit hub as officials push forward into the next phase of a major, multi-agency redevelopment project.

Some automakers are reducing production of electric cars and Tesla sales have dropped. Can California sustain its record pace and meet the state mandate?

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission will kick off its first meeting of 2024 by delving into one of its most high-profile projects.

The proposed bill would require new California cars to have a speed limiter.

A project to connect Los Angeles and Las Vegas via electric high speed rail could break ground in early 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced.

The numbers and letters on your car can reveal more than you think.

CEO/General Manager Michael Tree will retire from local transit agency Santa Cruz Metro on Feb. 16, less than two years into his tenure, due to “unexpected personal reasons.”

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission seeks applicants to serve on a committee that keeps tabs on one of the county’s most important transportation funding sources.

Caltrans has set a Jan. 25 deadline for tech companies to show how generative artificial intelligence might reduce traffic congestion in the state. This follows an executive order that Gov. Gavin Newsom signed in September related to this type of AI.

Heavy snow is projected in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Previously, warmer storms had been bringing precipitation mainly to higher elevations in the Sierras.

San Francisco police officers have been operating for more than a year with guidance from their chief that California’s vehicle code doesn’t provide authority for them to ticket driverless cars for infractions like speeding or running red lights. Officers are still encouraged to report relevant information about incidents.

Santa Cruz Metro has been awarded a $2 million grant to boost affordable housing at one of its four transit centers in Santa Cruz County.

Since the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County completed work on its wildlife tunnel at Laurel Curve, smaller critters have been spotted using it to get to the other side of Highway 17. But this month, the Land Trust was able to capture a mountain lion on video.

Farmland is being rezoned for industrial use, and massive warehouses are being built on spec near communities like Buttonwillow and Shafter, so goods coming through the Southern California ports can be shipped quickly throughout the western United States.

In its final meeting of the year, the Capitola City Council took steps toward improved traffic safety, including installation of six LED flashing lights and re-striping at the Bay Avenue and Hill Street intersection.

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission has found a new leader: former California Transportation Commission Executive Director Mitch Weiss will temporarily takes over for Guy Preston while it continues its search for a permanent replacement.

With fellow classmates, Iman Moshari collects underused bikes, repairs them and give them to people who apply.

A group of protesters sat down with interlocked arms on the 110 Freeway near downtown LA on Dec. 13, halting southbound traffic for more than an hour. Multiple people were arrested according to the CHP.

Higher-income workers are more likely to work from home, analysis of recent census data shows. Lower-income workers can face long and solitary commutes to get to work.

A three-year pilot transportation project local leaders say could bring “transformational change” to the county is fully funded thanks to approval by the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission.

Private company Brightline secured a $3 billion grant through the U.S. Department of Transportation toward a 218-mile high-speed rail line from Rancho Cucamonga to Las Vegas. The line would allow people to make the trip to Sin City in a little over two hours.

An Alameda County judge ruled on Nov. 22 that the city of Oakland thwarted a proposed coal export terminal. The judge will rule if the developer who sued is entitled to $159 million in damages or moving forward with the project.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles changed its voter registration process in 2019 to put a party selection dropdown on the same page. Since then, the number of people registering as Republicans or Democrats has jumped close to 20 points.

The Orange County Transportation Authority announced that work has been completed for express lanes along 16 miles of Interstate 405. The lanes, which were part of a $2.16 billion improvement project, span from Costa Mesa to the Los Angeles County line.

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission will host an open house Dec. 5 in Aptos to gather input on aesthetic design elements for a major transportation project along Highway 1 to effectively blend elements such as retaining walls, bicycle and pedestrian fencing, and landscaping with the character of the town of Aptos.

In response to a significant surge in ridership at UC Santa Cruz, the local transit agency has begun rolling out a new fleet of specialized buses it believes can meet the moment.