There’s a new trolley in town…and it’s not a trolley at all. It’s the all new, all-electric Santa Cruzer! Replacing the beloved Historic Trolley, which was retired in 2019, the Santa Cruzer is a pair of shuttles that will connect downtown and the beach areas every weekend this summer (Memorial Day – Labor Day, including 4th of July) and many summers to come. Funded by a grant from the Monterey Bay Air Resource District in 2021, which incentivizes the transition to all-electric vehicles in an effort to clean our air and reduce health impacts of pollution. The new shuttles will join the City’s existing fleet of 12 all electric vehicles including a garbage truck and forklift, with a few more on order slated for early fall, as an effort to move to more eco-friendly transportation and equipment options for Santa Cruz.

Beyond that, the Santa Cruzer will help alleviate traffic in the beach areas by encouraging visitors and locals to park at one of our downtown parking lots and riding the shuttle to enjoy the Wharf and the beach areas. This also opens up more opportunities for visitors to explore a larger area of Santa Cruz and will offer more shopping and dining options. While the vehicles may look different, like the trolley, they will certainly stand out. Designed by local agency Miller Maxfield, the colorful design plays on the beach vibe of Santa Cruz. Using the design, the shuttles were flawlessly wrapped by Catto’s Graphics right here in Santa Cruz.

The Santa Cruzer will run weekends and holidays, Memorial Day – Labor Day, running on a loop from noon-8pm. With two downtown stops at the Del Mar Theatre and Locust Street Garage, and the Marine Exploration Center in the beach area, the fare is $1 (cash only).

Learn more at www.santacruzer.info or catch a ride this weekend!