[1] All trips serve the River Front Transit Center in downtown Santa Cruz and San Jose Diridon station, with an intermediate stop in Pasatiempo.

Unlimited passes for the Highway 17 Express are also valid for local bus and light rail services in San Jose and Santa Cruz.

[4][5]: 70 Stagecoaches were made obsolete when the South Pacific Coast Railroad began service over the Santa Cruz Mountains in 1880, further reducing travel times.

The SPC was bought by the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1887, and passenger service over the line continued until February 1940, when severe storms damaged the tracks.

[6] The first bus services over the Santa Cruz Mountains began operation in the early 20th century, taking advantage of continuously improving roads.

The earthquake had major impacts across Northern California, and caused severe mudslides that partially blocked Highway 17 for weeks.

The service used 9 buses purchased with FEMA funds, and drivers from local tour bus company Discovery Charters.

1,200 letters and petition signatures supported continuing the service after Highway 17 fully reopened, and transit officials made plans to expand it.

[12] The Highway 17 Express served over 900 passengers per day in March 1991 when Peerless sued the consortium, arguing that the service's subsidy violated multiple provisions of the California Public Utilities Code.

[15] When the merged service began operation in early 2004, Caltrans anticipated a ridership of 7,000 riders per month by the end of the year.