El Paso Transportation Authority

This Transit Development Plan outlines a roadmap for the El Paso Transportation Authority (ETA) to become a direct recipient of Federal Transit Administration funds. The plan synthesizes several years of study, evaluation, and planning to develop a safe, reliable, and accessible transit system that connects the rural communities of El Paso County. Key components include identifying transit needs, analyzing service options and financing, and providing recommendations to enhance mobility, foster regional cooperation, and improve the quality of life for all residents through comprehensive fixed-route, ADA paratransit, microtransit, vanpool, user-side subsidy, and volunteer driver programs, supported by a three-year financial and performance evaluation plan.

This Transit Services Plan outlines the results of the El Paso County Community Transportation Study and describes planned transit service enhancements for rural areas. The plan aims to provide safe, reliable, and accessible transportation solutions through a mobility management approach, focusing on General Public Demand Response Transit (GPDRT) services, including modified ADA paratransit (ETA access), continued microtransit (ETA ándale), new Volunteer Driver Programs, and User-Side Subsidy Programs. The initiative seeks to improve connectivity, accessibility, and quality of life for residents of El Paso County, with implementation of future GPDRT services planned no later than 2029.

This document outlines the planned improvements and future General Public Demand-Response Transit (GPDRT) services for the rural areas of El Paso County, based on a community transportation study. The plan details the implementation of new and integrated GPDRT services, including an integrated ETA access system, a volunteer driver program, and a user subsidy program. It establishes guidelines for service planning, focusing on universal availability for rural residents, multimodal approaches, extensive operating hours, seamless connectivity to key destinations and Sun Metro transfer centers, user-friendliness, and cost-effectiveness. The overarching mission is to provide safe, reliable, and accessible transport solutions, enhance mobility, foster regional cooperation, and elevate the quality of life for all residents, with the full implementation of future GPDRT services targeted by 2029.

This document is a feasibility study examining the potential for a single, seamless transit system across El Paso County, connecting rural communities and urban areas, including the city of El Paso. The study identifies and analyzes various service designs, governance models, and revenue streams to achieve this countywide transit system.