Santa Cruz County for PRT
We hold a vision for the future of public transportation in Santa Cruz County, maximizing the use of Measure D funds to enhance convenience and sustainability. We hope to unite transit advocates and trail advocates in support of Personal Rapid Transit.
See also separate website for Santa Cruz PRT, Inc.
Bubble and Beams - a convenient future, by Hans Kylbergvia Swedish Inst of Transportation & Communication Analysis
Upcoming Meetings of Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC):
June 23-24 and July 14-15, 2025
RTC Office Hours: Opportunity to discuss (concerns about) the proposed passenger rail project in Santa Cruz, Watsonville, or on Zoom. Learn more, ask questions and provide feedback! Community members welcome to join anytime, but encouraged to register by signing up here.
Now through August 15, 2025
RTC’s Virtual Open House: zeprt.com
Thursday, August 7, 2025, 9:00 am
RTC Meeting in Scotts Valley will likely include a vote on next steps for passenger rail
Personal Rapid Transit uses very light overhead infrastructure, maybe a monorail, with podcars that get you where you want to go, quickly and efficiently. The podcar is lightweight and electric, extremely efficient because it doesn’t need to carry a heavy battery and it doesn’t need to make a lot of stops.
PRT offers a compelling combination of:
- Convenience: No waiting for the bus, and no schedule to remember, because your podcar is probably already waiting for you.
- Efficiency: Tiny carbon footprint, typically at least ??? times more efficient than a bus or train (maybe 5-10x, still researching)
- Speed: Even at 25-30 mph, you would reach your destination quickly because there is no slowing for traffic or signals.
- Low Impact: Very small physical footprint, and quiet!
- Modern and Fun.
PRT can make full use of the space above the rail corridor while also including stops at UCSC, downtown, and other locations beyond the tracks. PRT infrastructure can also support GRT, or Group Rapid Transit, with larger trams or superpods.
