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. Check the Highway 17 Express schedule at Santa Cruz Metro for the latest time tables and bus stop locations.
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 employees. Enrolled students obtain a 20% discount on passes and purchase 15 ride passes for $75.60 and 31 day passes for $116. Tickets can be purchased from the AS General Services front counter by presenting a valid Tower ID.
Open University/ Special Session Students must become a member of Associated Students (AS) and pay the AS fee to obtain the discount.
Students enrolled for Fall/Spring can purchase discounted passes starting August 16th/January 16th. Students not enrolled or employed on campus for Summer will not be eligible to purchase passes after the semester ends. Employees can purchase passes at any time.
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.
