EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The City of Socorro will launch its own on-demand microtransit service next month, the City announced in a news release.
This comes after the El Paso Transit Authority (ETA) announced that its buses will no longer stop in Socorro, starting July 1.
The City of Socorro partnered with The Goodman Corporation to develop a Transit Development Plan (TDP) that focuses on providing transit services in better alignment with the community’s needs, according to the news release.
The City said the planning process — Socorro ¡Avanzando! — included assessing current transit services and identifying traffic needs and improvement options. The City also engaged people riding ETA’s bus routes, community members, families, and stakeholders.
The TDP’s central recommendation is for the City to launch its own on-demand microtransit service by July 1, with the following features, according to the news release:
- Operated directly by the City using an existing vehicle fleet and TripMaster software.
- Service hours: Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. — excluding major holidays.
- Zero-fare service — initially, until demand requires adjustment.
- Same-day trips, with limited advance reservations.
- Target wait time: less than 30 minutes for 100 percent of riders.
- Ability to adapt service as demand and resources evolve.
“Microtransit will offer residents a more accessible, flexible, and responsive transit option compared to the infrequent and hard-to-access fixed-route bus services by ETA,” read the news release.
The City said the Socorro ¡Avanzando! TDP is the “City’s independent study of transit’s potential in Socorro as a matter of due diligence, to understand how best to improve transit and efficiently utilize limited public resources – to boldly envision ‘What could, and should transit be in Socorro?'”
In addition, the plan is grounded in the City’s recent 2040 Comprehensive Plan process, according to the news release.
“Socorro is a welcoming community that celebrates diversity, preserves its rich culture and history, and fosters economic growth, environmental stewardship, and a high quality of life for residents and visitors alike. It stands as a symbol of unity and prosperity for future generations,” read the news release.
ETA operates the regional bus system serving communities throughout the greater El Paso area.
However, as we previously reported, in 2024, the City Council of Socorro voted not to enter into a service agreement with ETA.
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